Free knitting patterns where the backs are the attention grabbers for sweaters, pullovers, and cardigans with cable, lace, cutout, or other back details. Updated 10/11/24.
To get the knitting patterns, scroll down the page to the individual pattern you want and click on the link to that pattern.
These patterns are not my designs but links to other designers who have generously shared their patterns. If you have questions about how to knit a specific pattern, please contact the designer directly.
All links on this site are for informational purposes, but please note that some links are to affiliate sellers that pay me a small commission on purchases.
Follow me for more patterns:
Free Patterns
Bree Top
Statement tee top with textured stitch pattern, cap sleeves, and turtleneck, and a dramatic back with an ultra-low V-neck, waist ties on the sides, and a horizontal bar across the shoulders. Sizes XS to 5X. DK weight yarn. Designed by Aubrey P Busek.
Florence
Striped pullover sweater knit with a subtle lace 8 row repeat. A surprise cut-out in back is formbed by buttoned panels Sizes 32 inches to 50 inches / 81 to 127 cm. Lace weight yarn. Designed by Lisa Richardson for Rowan.
Mentha
Pullover sweater with buttoned sides and a lace back with a 6 row repeat. Sizes 81 (86) 91 (96) 101 (111) 122 (132) cm. Fingering weight yarn. Designed by Hanna Maciejewska for Filcolana. Available in English, Danish, German
Cherries on Top
Easy tee top sweater with a v-neck front of 2 row repeat broken garter stitch and a back knit with 6 row repeat Garter Eyelet lace. Knit in two pieces. Sizes Bust: 31¾ (35½, 40¼, 44, 47¾, 51½, 56¼, 60, 63¾)”. Fingering weight yarn. Designed by Rachel Brockman.
Giesta Sweater
Long-sleeved top-down seamless pullover sweater with a stunning knit lace back of leaves and branches inspired by wild shrubs ‘Giestas’ (scotch brooms in Portuguese). Pattern includes both charts and detailed written instructions. Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Filipa Carneiro. Available in English and Portuguese
Open Backed Cropped Top
This short-sleeved pullover has sophisticated cable detail framing an open back and a deep ribbed hem. Sizes To Fit Bust: 82cm to 107cm Designed by Paintbox Yarns. DK weight yarn.
Oh Pa Top
This pullover tee with a garter stitch detail down the back that divides into a split hem. Sizes S (M, L, XL, XXL). Designed by Jesse Molzan. Directions for 2 weights of yarn Worsted and Aran weight.
Marsh Top
This pullover top features simple cap sleeves and a plain stockinette front, while the back features an almost full-body lace pattern. Sizes Bust—38 (42, 46, 50, 54, 58, 62)" Designed by Amy Palmer for Berroco
- Get the free knitting pattern
- See the Ravelry page
- Get the recommended Berroco Modern Cotton DK yarn on Amazon
Bauxite
This breezy pullover features v-neck front with chevron lace details, a deep v-neck back with all over chevron lace, and I-cord straps fastening. The chevron lace pattern is a 10 stitch repeat, charted. Fingering yarn. Designed by Samantha Stadter. Web version is free
Toulouse
An 8 row repeat lace pattern adds elegance to the back of this short-sleeved pullover tee with a vintage look. Sizes XS (S) M (L) XL. Designed by Rachel Søgaard for Filcolana. Fingering weight yarn. Available in English, Danish, and German
Feels Like Me
Short-sleeved tee pullover with geometric lace on back and lace detail on sleeves and neckline. Sizes S - M - L - XL. Designed by Cherrytree Design. DK weight yarn.
More Free Patterns
Electricity
Pullover top with chevron lace back and sleeves. Designed by Rhona R.
Beetroot Salad Sweater
Loose-fit v-neck pullover with a back lace panel worked in an an 8 stitch, 8 row repeat triangular lattice stitch called Grand Eyelet Lattice. Designed by Julie Tootill. Worsted weight yarn. Pictured project by Kajumama who has notes
Adelaide Open-Back Vest
Sleeveless top or vest with an overlapped peekaboo back and lace detail on the front. Sizes XS (S, M, L, XL) Designed by Kim Barnette. Worsted weight.
Split Back Tank
Swingy A-Line top. Sizes Included: 28", 32", 36", 40", 44", 48", 52", 56", 60" finished bust. Designed by Allison Griffith. Fingering weight yarn.
Lake Diamond Top
Sleeveless pullover features an intricate lace diamond design while the front is knit mostly in stockinette, with eyelets around the collar and hem. Sizes XS, S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X Designed by Kristin Jones for Knitty. Bulky weight yarn, although some Ravelrers used a lighter weight.
- Get the free knitting pattern
- See the Ravelry page
- Get the recommended Wool and the Gang Shiny Happy Cotton yarn on Amazon
- See more patterns by Kristin Jones
- Consider supporting Knitty on Patreon
Kimono Diamond
Pullover top with diamond lace panel on the back and diamond lace columns on front and back and around the hem and neckline. Great for layering. Sizes S, M, L, XL Designed by Heather Robb. Fingering weight yarn.
Center Street Sweater
Boatneck pullover features a geometric lace panel up the center back. Sizes 35, (38, 42, 46, 50, 54) inches. Worsted weight yarn. Designed by CJOriginals for Knotions.
Leaflet Cardigan
Short sleeved sweater with leaf lace design on back. Sizes 31.5[34.75, 37.75, 41, 44.25, 47.5, 50.75] inches, Designed by Cecily Glowik MacDonald for Knitty. Aran weight yarn.
Cable Back Shell
Sleeveless pullover top with henley neckline and cable detail down the back. Sizes XS (S, M, L, XL, XXL): 33 (37.5, 42.25, 46.5, 51.25, 56) inch bust circumference. Designed by Purl Soho
Gemini
Jane Richmond designed this versatile top with a lace panel that can be worn in back or in front. XS [S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X]
- Get the free knitting pattern
- Get the recommended yarn for this pattern on Etsy
- Consider supporting Knitty on Patreon
Honorine Tee
Designed by Fathom Harvill, this top features a contoured lace insert in the front and back which creates a subtly sexy and immensely flattering v-shape. Finished bust: 32 (34, 36, 38, 40, 44)”
Patterns for Purchase
Pixie Tank Trellis Racer Back Top
Airy tank top with a gorgeous leaf vine lace traveling up the racer back. The front features wide straps (to cover bra straps). Sizes XS, (S, M, L, XL, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X). Designed by Lovely by Lee. Fingering weight yarn
Crossback Sweater
Reversible pullover that can be worn with the boat neck collar in front and the V-crossed paneling in the back, OR reverse it and wear crossover in front. Sizes S, M, L, XL, 2XL. Designed by Knitatude. Worsted weight yarn
Portico Tank
The peekaboo cutouts and crisscross straps on the back of the Portico Tank flow into a deep ribbing that runs down the spine. The ribbing is replicated on the sides and around the neck, visually uniting the design for a clever and fun knit. Sizes 33.5 (37.75, 40.75, 45, 49.5)" bust circumference. Designed by Irina Anikeeva. Sport weight yarn
Davit Top
Tee top with a surprise feature in the back — two pieces that are crossed for an elegant wrap effect. Cap sleeves. Sizes 33½ (37½, 41½, 45, 49, 53)" bust circumference. Designed by Amy Palmer. DK weight yarn
- See more pics and get the knitting pattern at Lovecrafts
- Get the recommended Berroco Quinoa thick and thin yarn
Halistrom
This long-sleeved pullover features a handy pocket and daring, twisted back detail that naturally creates a bit of waist cinching. 32 (35½, 39, 42½, 46)” Designed by Sachiko Burgin. Aran weight yarn
Bow Back T-Shirt
With Sprinkles on Top Tee has instructions for knitting bows with either knit centers or buttons. There is a colorwork ice cream cone on the front but I'd personally knit it without the design. Sizes XS-XL to fit a 30-44" Bust. Designed by Girly Knits.
Heart to Heart Tank Top
The heart cut out on the back of this sleeveless top is written so that you can easily use it on other top patterns. This tank top has instructions for 2 length options, regular length and cropped length. It also has 2 layout options for the jewel embellishment along the neckline. Sizes XS-XL to fit a 29-44" Bust. Designed by Girly Knits.
Rockaway Cardigan
This long-sleeved raglan sweater features a cute, casual style with buttonless front edges and a back lace panel. Includes chart and written instructions. Finished Bust Size 32 (36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56)” to fit 30 (34, 38, 42, 46, 50, 54)” / 81 (91, 102, 112, 122, 132, 142) to fit 76 (86, 97, 107, 117, 127, 137) cm Designed by Kristin Jones.
Anchored Top
This show-stopping sleeveless top features peek-a-boo crossings down the back and figure-flattering shaping. Sizes 30 (32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44)” / 76.20 (81.30, 86.35, 91.45, 96.50, 101.60, 106.70, 111.75) cm. DK weight yarn. Designed by Ruth Garcia-Alcantud.
