Knitting patterns for tanks, shells, and other sleeveless tops. Updated 3/16/23
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.
Free Patterns
By The Dock Lace Back Top
Sleeveless tank top knit flat with a 4 row repeat textured front and diagonal lace back. Sizes 32 in. to 58 in. Designed by Paintbox Yarns. DK weight yarn.
Libellule Top
Sleeveless summer festival top with lace trim and fringe. Sizes XS, S, M, L, XL. Designed by Mil y un hilo for Hobbii. DK weight yarn.
Whakamarie Top
Drop sleeve top with a center panel of lace and cables on the front and waist shaping. Sizes: XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL)
Riviette Tank
Sleeveless top with flowing cables, a touch of lace, and twisted stitche. Knit flat in 2 identical pieces and seamed. Great for layering or by itself. Sizes Small (Medium, Large, 1X, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X). Designed by Rachel Brockman.
Tribeca Tunic
A stylish, modern, striped top with a hidden front pocket! Sleeveless pullover is knit in 2 pieces of 5 panels. Designed by Bobbie Fitzgerald for Lion Brand Yarn. Sizes S, M/L, 1X/2X. DK weight yarn.
Cowl Shell
Sleeveless top with a flattering draped cowl neckline. Knit from the bottom up with little seaming (shoulder seams only). Designed by Myrna Batten. Sizes 81.3 (91.4, 101.6, 111.8, 121.9) cm; 32 (36, 40, 44, 48) inches. DK weight yarn.
Shifting Rib Tank
Sleeveless top with figure flattering contoured rib detail around bust. Designed by Patons. Sizes XS to 5XL.
Zephyr Tank
Sleeveless pullover top with pretty ruffled lace hem and buttoned neckline. Bust: 35¼ (39¼, 43¼, 47¾, 51¼)”. Designed by Amy Gunderson for Universal Yarn.
Tove
This sleeveless top features easy eyelet lace ribbing and is knit from the bottom up in two pieces and seamed. Sizes Bust – 33(36-39-42-45-48-51-54)” Designed by Amy Christoffers for Berroco.
- Get the free knitting pattern
- Get the recommended Berroco Corsica Yarn on Amazon
Get American Knits book by Amy Christoffers on Amazon (Kindle and Paperback)
Ribbon Top
Sleeveless top is knit with drop stitch wave pattern. The original pattern is for a crop top but the knitter of the pictured project just added additional repeats of the pattern for length. Pictured project by julysnow. Great with multi-color yarn!
More Free Patterns
Ibis Top
Sleeveless tank top from Katia with flattering lines that follow your figure, flared hem, and ribbed yoke. UK (US): 8-10 (M) / 12-14 (L) / 16-18 (XL) / 20-22 (XXL). In English and Spanish. Pictured project by romychen
Make Up Your Mind
Five bands of different texture and lace add interest to this raceback tank designed for layering. Designed by by knittedblissJC. Sizes XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL). Pictured project by dreamergal
Vertical Wavy Lace Top
The body is worked in the round from the bottom up.
Summerfly Top
Alisha Bright’s sleeveless top features a rolled cowl neck and ribbed sides for fit. XS, S, M, L
Sunny Tank
Lace top in sizes S to 5XL
Tulip Tank Top
Designed by Purl Soho, for sizes 31 (35, 39, 43, 47), this tank features a unique construction inspired by tulip petals.
Maderia
Berroco Design Team designed this asymmetrical tank. X-Small, Small, Medium, Large, 1X, 2X
Crosscurrents Tank
Judith Durant’s easy-to-knit top features ruffles and beads. Sizes S to 2XL Included in Creative Knitting July 2011 with 30 other knitting patterns.
Ombre Tank
Espace Tricot’s top achieves its color gradient by knitting with double strands of yarn and then switching colors as you go. Sizes 33.5, 35.75, 38, 40, 42, 46.25, 50.5
- Get the free knitting pattern — the link to the pattern is toward the bottom of the page
- Get the recommended yarn
White Lotus
Lace top designed by Lana Grossa for sizes 38/40, 42/44.
- Get the free knitting pattern at the Internet archive
- Shop for worsted yarn for this pattern at Etsy
Paulina
Berroco Design Team designed this sleeveless top with bias ribs and center cable detail. Small, Medium, Large
Summer Tee top
Claudia Olson’s lace top is easy to knit and customize by adding or subtracting 14 sts to change bust size.
Patterns for Purchase
Areca Top
Sleeveless top featuring bold slipped stitch colorwork inspired by black and white tilework in a modern silhouette. To fit bust 33½ (36¾, 40, 43¼, 46½, 49½, 52¾, 56, 59¼, 62½, 65½) in. Designed by Yonca Ozbelli for Universal Yarn. Sport weight yarn.
Talland Tee
No longer free. Lacy, lightweight sleeveless pullover top with a relaxed fit. It is worked in one piece from the bottom hem upwards. Sizes: Bust Circumference: 94 (102, 108, 114, 122, 128, 135) cm / 37 (40, 42.5, 45, 48, 50.5, 53) inches. Fingering weight yarn. Designed by Sonja Bargielowska
Neve Top
Longline, sleeveless tunic with a gorgeous central cable. To fit bust 81-86 92-97 102-107 112-117 122-127 cm, 32-34 36-38 40-42 44-46 48-50 in. Designed by Debbie Bliss. Aran weight yarn.
Galice Lace Top
Loose sleeveless top with an all-over lace and seed stitch motif. Knitted flat from the bottom up, the back and the front piece are identical, featuring a slipped stitch edge and the panels of leaves. Finished bust circ : 90 (101 / 112.5 / 124), 135 (146 / 157 / 168) cm - 35 ½ (39 ¾ / 44 ¼ / 48 ¾), 53 ¼ (57 ½ / 61 ¾ / 66 ¼)" Designed by Audrey Borrego. DK weight yarn.
Vera Tank
This tank top will become the perfect year round wardrobe staple. Feminine detailing and a comfortable fit make it effortlessly chic. Great by itself in summer or layering in cooler weather. Worked flat in one piece from the bottom front to bottom back. 8 women's sizes: XXS, (XS, S), [M, L, XL], (2X, 3X). Designed by Kaitlin Blasing of OriginallyLovely. A kit is also available.
- See more pics and get the pattern at Etsy
- Get the kit at Lion Brand for $12 to $24 depending on size
Rosebud Tank Top
This sleeveless lace pullover is one of the 23 patterns in Warm Weather Knits by Deborah Newton. Sizes: small – medium – large – extra large. Knit in DK weight.
See more pics and get the book at Leisure Arts – digital or print
Bonny Shell
Sleeveless top with lace panel designed by Emily Wessel. To fit size: XXS (XS, S, M, ML, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL)
Ruffled Shell
This mostly-stockinette-stitch blouse is accented with a bit of openwork rib at the lower edge and a generous garter-stitch ruffle (worked separately and shaped with short-rows). Sizes 33 (35, 37, 39, 41, 43)” (84 [89, 94 99, 104, 109] cm) bust circumference
