Must-Knit Red Summer Top — Free Knitting Pattern (Sizes S–XL)
The knitted red summer top is a cheerful, breathable wardrobe staple for warm, sunny days. With lace and cable details, this sleeveless top dresses up or down easily — perfect for picnics, strolls, or a relaxed evening out. Below is the full pattern, materials list and finishing instructions for sizes S (M, L, XL).
Caption: Red knitted summer top featuring lace and cable panels, shown laid flat.
Size: S (M, L, XL)
Materials: 1200 - 1600 yds (1100-1500 m) / 300-400 g of red mercerized cotton fingering weight yarn.
Needles size 4 (3.5 mm) and circular needles size 4 (3.5 mm), hook size B (2.5 mm) OR SIZE NEEDED TO OBTAIN GAUGE
Cable pattern C2B:
Row 1: c2b (cross 2 back): Slip next st onto cable needle and hold at back of work, knit next st
from left-hand needle, then knit st from cable needle.
Row 2: p 2.
Repeat rows 1-2.
Lace pattern: 25 st
Gauge: width: 25 st = 5 in (12.5 cm)
Row 1
2 p, * 1 k, 1 p*, repeat from * to * 5 times, 1 p, *1 p, 1 k*, rep 5 times, 2 p.
Row 2 and all even rows knit k over k and yo, p over p.
Row 3
1p, yo, 1p, 1k, 1p, 1k, p2tog (purl 2 stitches together), 1p, 1k, 1p, 1k, 3p, 1k, 1p, 1k, 1 p, p2tog,
1k, 1p, 1k, 1p, yo, 1p.
Row 5
2p, yo, 1p, k2tog (knit 2 stitches together), p2tog, 1p, 1k, 1p, 1k, 1p, yo, 1p, yo, 1p, 1k, 1p, 1k, 1 p, p2tog, k2tog, 1p, yo, 2p.
Row 7
4p, p2tog, 1p, 1k, 1p, 1k, 1p, yo, 3p, yo, 1p, 1k, 1p, 1k, 1p, p2tog, 4p.
Row 9
3p, p2tog, 1p, 1k, 1p, 1k, 1p, yo, 5p, yo, 1p, 1k, 1p, 1k, 1p, p2tog, 3p.
Row 11
2p, p2tog, 1p, 1k, 1p, 1k, 1p, yo, 7p, yo, 1p, 1k, 1p, 1k, 1p, p2tog, 2p.
Row 13
1p, p2tog, 1p, 1k, 1p, 1k, 1p, yo, 9p, yo, 1p, 1k, 1p, 1k, 1p, p2tog, 1p.
Row 15
p2tog, 1p, 1k, 1p, 1k, 1p, yo, 11p, yo, 1p, 1k, 1p, 1k, 1p, p2tog.
Repeat rows 1-16.
Selvedge stitches
The 1st and last stitch of the pattern are selvedge stitches. To make the edges of your work
even and smooth 2 more stitches (selvedge stitches) are added. You should always slip the first
stitch as if to knit and purl the last stitch. The selvedge stitches are not counted in the pattern
unless otherwise specified.
Directions:
The top is worked from the bottom up, back and front separately. Then back and front are sewn
at the shoulder and side seams. The bottom rib worked in the round of circular needles.
Back
Cast on 103 (111, 121, 131) stitches (including 2 selvedge stitches).
Row 1: 1 selvedge st, p 1 (3, 8, 11), c2b (cable on 2 st), lace pattern on 25 st, c2b, p 2 (3, 3, 4),
c2b, p 2 (3, 3, 4), c2b, lace pattern on 25 st, c2b, p 2 (3, 3, 4), c2b, p 2 (3, 3, 4), c2b, lace pattern on 25 sts, c2b, p 1 (3, 8, 11), 1 selvedge st.
Knit 18 in (46 cm) or to desired length. Cast off.
Front
Knit the same as back. At 11 in (28 cm) start making a V-neck. For this cast off the center stitch
and start decreasing a number of stitches working k2tog in every odd row (1 st decrease on
each side) 20 times. Work each side separately, or at the same time from 2 balls of yarn.
Continue to work as established until the front is the same length as the back. Cast off all the
stitches.
Finishing:
Join shoulder and side seams. Pick up stitxhes along the bottom on a circular needle. Knit rib 1x1 for 2 in (5 cm). Bind off.
Finish neck and sleeves by crocheting 1 in (2.5 cm) bands with sc (single crochet). If you do not crochet, finish the neckline and armholes with 1x1 rib.
Tip: Check your gauge (25 sts = 5 in / 12.5 cm) before starting and adjust needle size if needed for correct fit.