Free easy knitting patterns for women's tops, shells, tanks, and tees that are all easy according to their designers and/or the ratings of knitters who used the patterns. Most patterns are free. Updated 10/10/24
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.
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Free Patterns
Brighton T-Shirt
Easy tee top knit sideways flat in one piece with a faux English rib yoke. No picking up stitches. Sizes 84 to 136 cm / 33 to 53.5” chest. Sport weight yarn. Designed by Cristiane Bertoluci.
Fern Valley Linier Top
Oh, I want to try this one. Easy lace top with a poncho style with options for seamed sleeves or straps. Knit flat in 2 rectangles with an 8 row repeat lace. One size but adjustable. Fingering weight yarn. Designed by Sian Price-White. May only be free for a limited time.
Summer Days Tee
Easy tee top pullover knit flat in 2 pieces with a 2 row repeat. No picking up stitches. Suitable for beginners according to designer. Sizes XS/S, M, L, XL, 2/3XL, 4/5XL. Aran weight yarn. Designed by Yarnspirations.
Tempting
Two versions of this easy ribbed top, one with a ribbon at the neckline and the second with a sideways band and smaller ribbing. Both are knit in the round with ribbing to eliminate the need for shaping and seams. The first version is suitable for beginners. The band on the second version is knit sideways on to the neckline. Both rated easy by Ravelrers. Finished bust for version 1: 32 to 48 inches. Version 2 sizes: 20 to 53 inches. Aran/Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Jenna Adorno for Knitty
- Get the free Version 1 knitting pattern
- Get the free Version 2 knitting pattern
- View Knitty's free tutorial videos
Mitered Top
Easy statement sleeveless top created from 2 mitered rectangles knit in garter stitch. Designed for 6 colors, it's great for stash busting or mini skeins. No picking up stitches. Rated easy by designer. Sizes XS/S, M, L, XL, 2/3XL, 4/5XL. Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Yarnspirations.
Around The Pool Crop Top
Easy pullover tee with a seed stitch yoke and brick stitch body inspired by the poolside. Knit flat in 4 pieces. No picking up stitches! Sizes To Fit Bust: 81cm to 102cm / 32 inches to 40 inches. DK weight yarn. Designed by Paintbox Yarns.
Top Down Pullover
What I love about this easy top is that it's almost all knit stitches with a flattering ciruclar yoke and no seaming because it's knit in one piece in the round. Rated easy by Ravelrers and by designer. The sleeve cuffs are picked up and knit but that's all. Designed for self-striping yarn, it would also look great in ombre or even solid colars. Sizes XS/M, L/XL, 2/3XL. Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Yarnspirations.
Vertical Ridges Tank Top
Easy sleeveless tank top knit in 2 pieces with a 2 row repeat. No picking up stitches. Sizes XS/S M L XL 2/3XL 4/5XL, 28 inches to 62 inches. Rated easy by the designer. DK weight yarn. Designed by Yarnspirations.
Beginner Knit Halter Top
Learn to knit this beginner friendly crop top! The designer says that if you know how to cast on, knit and bind off, she'll show you every thing else you need to know to make this knitted top that comes with a video tutorial! Sizes Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large. DK weight yarn. Aran weight yarn. Designed by Michelle Greenberg
Super Easy 3 Square Sweater
Easy sleeveless top knit in 3 pieces in garter stitch. Sizes Sizes Small, Medium, Large, X-Large. Rated easy by the designer. Bulky yarn. Designed by Gina Michele.
- Get the free knitting pattern
- Get the recommended yarn Bernat Maker Home Dec - super soft cotton tubular yarn - I love it!
Streamline Tank
Easy sleeveless top knit in 2 identical pieces with an Art Deco inspired detail at the neckline in front and back in half fisherman's rib. Sizes XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL). Rated easy by the designer. DK yarn. Designed by Alexandra Tavel of Two of Wands. A kit is also available for less than $12.
Granite Tank Top
Easy top knit in 2 pieces with minimal shaping use a 4 row repeat granite stitch. It does recommend picking up stitches for an i-cord neckline and includes tutorial. Sport yarn. Designed by Handmade Mayara. Available in English, Spanish, and French.
Eyelet Sleeveless Top
Pullover knit flat in two rectangles in stockinette with easy eyelet rows. Designed by Jessica Reeves Potasz of Mama in a Stitch who says this sleeveless top is perfect for beginners. Sizes XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL. The web version is free and the printable pdf is available on Etsy.
More Free Patterns
Cap Sleeve Lattice Top
Purl Soho designed this tee top that has been rated very easy or easy by hundreds of Ravelrers and features a 4-row repeat lace yoke and stockinette body. Sizes adult small (34″), medium (36″), large (38″). Pictured project by mystique27
Easiest Classic Top
The designer Jessica Reeves Potasz of Mama in a Stitch says this sleeveless top is perfect for beginners since it is knit flat in two rectangles in beginner stitches like stockinette, garter stitch, and rib. In fact she says this is good first project. Sizes Womens X Small, Small, Medium & Large. The web version is free and the printable pdf is available on Etsy.
Summer Vacation Top
Jessica of Mama in a Stitch designed this easy sleeveless crop top with mesh yoke that’s a fast knit with two strands of yarn held together.
Cancun Boxy Lace Top
Erin Kate Archer’s lace-sampler top is knit in two simple rectangles from the bottom up and seamed. The designer says it is very suitable for beginners and it has an easy rating from knitters. Pictured project by miss-power
Any Time Top
Melissa Leapman designed this easy lacy short-sleeved top for Red Heart. Sizes Small, Medium, Large, 1X, 2X
Textured Tee
Easy short-sleeved top pattern in an 8 row repeat from Bernat that knits up quickly in chunky yarn. In sizes from XS to 5XL.
Garter Stitch Tank
This Bernat pattern is so easy it’s recommended for beginners. Quick knit in chunky yarn. Sizes XS through 5XL.
Petrie
Beautia Dew was inspired by the classic 60s style of Laura Petrie to create this sleeveless tank top with draped boatneck. Sizes XS (S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X)
Pern
Norah Gaughan’s easy tee top re-interprets the traditional fisherman’s gansey with easy slipped stitch rib, garter details, and a generous hem. XS, S, M, L, 1X, 2X
Bamboo Shell
Purl Soho designed this sleeveless top in seed stitch and stockinette. Three length options: Short, waist-length; Medium, dropped-waist; Long, hip-length. Sizes 32 (36, 40, 44 1/2, 49)
Bulky Summer Tank
Emma Fassio’s free pattern for Rosa’s Sleeveless Cardi -Jumper was adapted into this easy cute sleeveless top by clairegirl.
- Get the free knitting pattern for Rosa’s Sleeveless Cardi -Jumper – Available in English, German, and Italian.
- See Clairegirl’s modifications for her pictured project
Cowl Vest
Purl Soho designed this easy sleeveless top for layering with cowl neck. Sizes 32 1/2 (35 1/2, 38 1/2, 41 1/2, 44 1/2) Chest. Pictured project by joybranagan
Buttercup
Heidi Kirrmaier designed a top down, seamless raglan, A-line top, with lace at the neckline and hem. Sizes to fit bust 30 – 50 inches. This does have some difficulty ratings – most knitters thought it was easy but some felt it was more intermediate. Pictured project is by Sirianne
Arleen
Dona Knits’ simple pullover is knit from the top in one piece and seamless. You can customize the length of the top and the sleeves easily. It does include crochet for the button opening but knitters report that the instructions are easy. Sizes 34″, 36″, 38″, 40″, 42″
Patterns for Purchase
Lodge Tee Top
Simply sophisticated lace cap-sleeved pullover sweater for an understated, chic look. Easy level knitting pattern and the techniques involved are knitting, purling, and slipping stitches. Looks like a 4 row repeat of eyelet moss stitch. Sizes XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL. Designed by Alexandra Tavel of Two of Wands. DK weight yarn. A kit is also available.
Unplug Tee Top
A simple tee consisting of two different colored panels that are knit sideways and seamed together. The hem, neckline, and sleeves are finished off with an i-cord to give it a neat and more unique look. Includes tips on how to customize your tee including how to lengthen the crop, create more or less ease, change your colors, give it a cleaner look, etc. Bust Circumference: 36” (40, 44, 48, 52) 56, 60, 64, 68 / {91 (102, 112, 122, 132) 142, 152, 162, 173 cm}. Designed by Attic 166.
Alaya Top
Eyelet lace pullover top worked flat. Uses the simplest of shapes and easiest of textures with basic stitches, according to the designer, who says it is suitable for beginners. Length is easily adjustable Sizes XS/S, M/L, XL/2XL. Designed by April Miller. Worsted weight yarn.
Flutter Top
Pullover tee sweater or vest with ruffles that rise up from the bodice and back to form cap sleeves. This is an easy level knitting pattern and the techniques involved are the knit stitch, purl stitch, kfb increase, slipping stitches, and seaming. Rated easy by the designer and Lion Brand Yarn. Sizes XS/S, M/L, XL/XXL. Designed by Alexandra Tavel of Two of Wants. A kit is also available. DK weight yarn which looks like it's held double.
Lucente
This openwork top by Kennita Tully looks great in multi-color yarn. Quick knit great for layering or could even work as a cover up. S (M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL)
Everyday Tunic
This simple sleeveless tunic length top features eyelet rows and columns set on a stockinette background and a V neckline. Rated easy by Annie’s. To fit bust: 34 (36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52)” Designed by Annie Lupton
Void Pullover
Openwork lace top is worked in an easy 4-row lace pattern with a larger gauge. To fit bust: 30 (34, 38, 42, 46, 50, 54)”
Yucatan Sweater
Two of Wands designed this easy pullover that is great for layering or coverup. Fast knit in worsted yarn on oversized needles. It does include a single crochet stitch for the border.
Indus
I love the drape neckline of this lace sleeveless top / shell. Woman’s S (M, L, XL, 2XL) Sport weight yarn.
