Free Knitting Patterns for the beach including cover ups, hats, totes, bikinis, and more. Most patterns are free. Updated 6/24/23
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
Cali Cover Up
Lace tunic poncho knit flat with a 6 row repeat lace and dop stitch. Perfect for the beach or layering. Designed by Meghan Ballmer. Sizes XS-5X. Sport weight yarn. Web version is free. A kit is also available.
Tunic Dress
Sleeveless dress that's perfect for a beach cover up with its high slit and dramatic peekaboo openwork lace running up the side. Designed by Vanessa Ewing. Sizes bust: 33 ½”, (37 ½, 41 ½, 45 ½, 49 ½). Aran weight yarn.
Squeaky Clean Hooded Towel
Easy towel with hood knit in a 6 row repeat basketweave pattern that's perfect for swim time or bath time if knit in an absorbent microfiber or cotton yarn. Designed by Jodi Roush for Skacel. Super bulky weight yarn. Rated easy by Ravelrers.
- Get the free knitting pattern
- Get the recommended HiKoo - Rub-a-Dub yarn at Amazon
- Get Flower Sunglasses at Amazon
Vacation Vest Top
Knitted flat in 2 pieces with stockinette and seamed at the shoulders, the sides are held together with sweet little ties. It’s a gorgeous little cover-up to pop over a bikini top! Designed by Paintbox Yarns. Sizes bust: 81, 86, 92, 97, 102, 107, 112 cm. DK weight yarn.
Midsummer Midi Dress
Just 2 pieces knit in moss stitch and seamed together, this a fabulous dress for pool parties, beach or resort wear. Designed by Paintbox Yarns. Sizes chest width: 81, 86, 92, 102, 107, 112 cm. DK weight yarn.
Opportune Beach Cover Up
Hooded lace cardigan knit with a four row repeat in three pieces- two fronts and a back. Designed by Emily Ringelman for Knitty. Sizes 44 (46.5, 50.5, 56, 60, 64.5, 67.5)" Finished Bust. DK weight yarn.
Summer Sarong
Joanne Yordanou‘s easy cover-up knit wrap skirt is embellished with crochet motifs that are easy to make. See the matching bikini pattern below.
- Get the free knitting pattern
See more of Joanne’s patterns in Twelve Months of Knitting: Improve Your Knitting Skills Month by Month with 36 Seasonal Projects
BVI Bikini
Joanne Yordanou’s fun bikini is designed for land use only. Not for swimming or getting wet unless you knit with elastic thread! Top is in 3 cup sizes. Bottom is one size.
- Get the free knitting pattern
- See the Ravelry page
- See more of Joanne’s patterns in Twelve Months of Knitting: Improve Your Knitting Skills Month by Month with 36 Seasonal Projects
Beachy Cover Up
Openwork mesh lace pullover top with a deep scoop than can be worn in back or in front. Designed by Marly Bird. XS (S, M, L, XL, XXL, XXXL). Knitting pattern is available for free with a free trial at Creativebug – scroll down the pattern page to this pattern.
- Get the free knitting pattern with free trial at Creativebug
- Also available in Knitting Today Magazine (Cast away nautical knits, June July 2011) at Amazon
- Get the recommended Schachenmayr Catania yarn on Amazon
Splash Dress
Nikol Lohr’s shale lace dress is easy to knit and comes in two sizes Women’s S/M and L/XL. She provides a photo tutorial with the pattern. Great with Multi-Colored Yarn!
More Free Patterns
Playa Beach Cover Up
Allison O’Dell’s easy tunic / dress comes in S/M and M/L sizes.
Brigitte Dress
Drop stitch is drop dead gorgeous in this dress designed by Waejong Kim for Loopy Mango. Sized for S-XL in three lengths, this pattern is just two panels and is perfect for multi color yarn.
Wind-and-Sea Hat
Designed by Kristi Porter, from Knitting in the Sun 32 Projects for Warm Weather; photography by Stephen Simson, this summery lightweight sun hat has a wide brim adorned with spiraling eyelets.
- Get the free knitting pattern
Get the book Knitting in the Sun 32 Projects for Warm Weather on Amazon (Kindle and Prime available)- See more Sun Hat Knitting Patterns
Laguna Beach Cover Up
This lace-bordered wrap is perfect beach or swimsuit cover up. Designed by Melody’s Makings. Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large. Crochet version also available.
Little Black Swimsuit
This classic one-piece by Robyn Hamilton for Knitty reminds me of a LBD in swimsuit style. It’s not actually made for swimming but lounging poolside or on the beach. Also looks great under one of the skirts or coverups when you go to dinner.
Beach Cover-Up
Cover-up by Patons in XS/M L/XL 2/5XL. The texture seems to be caused by a specific yarn so you may not get the same effect with a different yarn.
Bikini Top and Shorts
DROPS Design created this striped beach set (not for swimming!) BIKINI TOP Size: S – M – L. SHORTS Size: XS – S – M – L – XL –XXL. Rated easy by Ravelry knitters. Some knitters have mentioned that the top needs more coverage.
Alana Swim Cover
Universal Yarn’s design features a triangle mesh pattern that’s perfect for multi-color yarn. Sized for Finished Bust: 50 (54, 58, 62, 66)”
Lace Sampler T-shirt
Candi Jensen’s sampler top will become your favorite warm-weather wardrobe item! The lacy openwork makes it a breezy dream for hot and stuffy days, and the loose and long fit makes it flattering on anyone. Woman’s S (M, L, XL) .
- Get the free knitting pattern at Annie’s (Scroll down the page to see recommended yarn and link to video class)
Sea Breeze Bag
This Lily Sugar n Cream bag features drop stitches for interest. Approx 20” x 40” [51 x 101.5 cm]
Triplet Shawl
Laura of CreatingLaura.com designed this versatile arm knit project that can be worn as shawl, scarf or swimsuit cover-up. Five complementary colors of worsted weight yarn are arm knit together in a triangle — a unique shape for arm knitting that inspired Laura to figure out how to do decreases and increases in arm knitting.
Butterfly Poncho
This lace poncho with butterfly motif by DROPS Design is sized for S/M – L/XL – XXL/ XXXL
Patterns for Purchase
Mic Drop Maxi and Crop Top
Matching skirt and top in chevron lace stripes. Sizes: 81/86cm 32/34" to 132/137cm 52/54". DK weight yarn. Designed by Sirdar. Kit is also available
Truro Top
Easy openwork lace sweater or beach cover up. Size: XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL. Aran or chunky weight yarn. Designed by CamexiaDesigns
Lakeside Beach Wrap Cardigan
Free web version available for limited time. This lacy cardigan works up quickly with an easy 2-row repeat. Sizes XS/S, M/L, XL/2XL, 3XL/4XL (28-58" bust). Aran weight yarn. Designed by Knitatude. Kit is also available.
Knits For Summer
10 knitting patterns perfect for hot weather and the beach by Kristi Simpson including Long Vest (one size: 40.5' width x 34' length [103 cm x 86.5 cm]), Surfside Tunic (sizes S-M-L), and Fringed Hip Wrap (sizes S-M-L), Barefoot Sandals (one size fits most), Seaside Coasters (with Duplicate Stitch motifs of seahorse, lighthouse, flamingo, and sand shovel), Lacy Cape (sizes S-M-L), Rosy Head Wrap, Scoop Neck Top (sizes S-M-L-XL-2XL), Anchor Pillow (with Duplicate Stitch motif), Striped Tote (10' wide x 11' high [25.5 cm x 28 cm]). Digital download or paperback from Leisure Arts
Balos Beach Cover Up
This lace cover up features a zig-zag lace pattern and a drawstring waist. Easily customizable. Sizes Available: XS, S, M L, 1X, 2X, 3X for hip circumference 33.25, 36.75, 40, 43.25, 46.75, 53.25, 56.75 inches
Drop Stitch Lace Beach Cover-Up
This is an easy knitting pattern by TwoOfWandsShope, and the techniques used are knit, purl, and yarn over. Sizes:Width: 22”/55.9cm (S/M) 26”/66cm (M/L)
Minimi’s Lace Cardigan
This versatile cardigan with free-flowing lace panels can be worn as a beach cover-up, a light lace cardigan for dress up for evening, or thrown over your shoulders as a shawl. Sizes 80 (88, 96, 104, 112) cm / 31.5 (34.75, 37.75, 41, 44)”
Stevie Wrap
This easy pattern creates a versatile shawl cover up that can be worn a variety of ways.
Adela Swimsuit Cover-Up
This top by CardiffBayHandknits features drop stitch panels and twisted fringe. Sized for misses and teens, XS/S (Chest sizes 32-34″) as shown on model, or M/L (Chest sizes 36-38″).
