An easy summer knit top pattern – the Elysian Top – is now a free tee knitting pattern here on the blog.
This knitted summer top is all about laid-back style, featuring a beautiful scooped rounded neckline that looks great on everyone. The i-cord edging at the bottom, sleeves, and neckline add a neat touch without it being too fussy. With sizes ranging from XS to 5XL, this top is made for everybody. Plus, it’s an easy-level project, so don’t let the i-cords scare you off—they’re much simpler than you’d think and make the top look really polished.
No time right now?Pin this easy knit summer top pattern for later!
*This post contains affiliate links (only for products I love, use and spend my own money on obviously). This means I earn some yarn money if you make a purchase through one of these links (of course at no extra cost for you!), which I promise to use to create more awesome patterns like this one. All opinions are my own. See my full disclosure here.
The Yarn
Made from Bamboo DK weight yarn (LionBrand Truboo), this top has an amazing drape that feels light and breezy. The bamboo yarn is perfect for keeping cool in the summer heat.
Whether you’re hanging out at a picnic or strolling on the beach, this top keeps you looking stylish and feeling comfortable. Pair it with your favorite shorts, skirts, or jeans, and you’ve got a go-to piece for the season.
Elysian Top Knitting Pattern Construction
The Elysian Top is a bottom-up summer knit top pattern. You’ll start with an i-cord cast-on, join in the round then work in simple stockinette until the split for the armholes. The front and back panels are then worked flat separately. The front has a beautiful scooped neck shaping. The fold is then formed by sewing before adding an i-cord edging around the neckline. The sleeves are worked similarly, starting with an i-cord cast on and worked in the round. They are then sewed to the top body.
Downloadable Elysian Summer Top Knit Pattern
Grab the printable PDF of the Elysian Top Knitting Pattern now in my Etsy shop or on Ravelry.
More Knitting Patterns You'll Love
Juliet Summer Top Knitting Pattern
Seabreeze Beach Cover Up Knitting Pattern
Elise Cardigan Knitting Pattern
Before you Start Your Tee Knitting Pattern
Materials
- 4 mm/ US 6 circular knitting needles
- LionBrand Truboo DK weight (3), 100% Rayon from Bamboo, 220m/241yd,
100g/3.5oz): 4 (4, 5, 5, 5) (6, 6, 7, 7) skeins in color Sky (837-107) - Tapestry needle to weave in the ends
Size
The top is available in the following sizes: XS to 5XL. Sizes are noted throughout the pattern in the following way: XS (S, M, L, XL) (2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL). The pictures illustrate the L size.
Due to the extra folded fabric at the neckline, it’s impossible to give representative final garment bust measurements. Therefore, sizes are given based on body measurements instead.
The top is designed to fit the following body measurements:
- XS: 74 cm / 29”
- S: 84 cm / 33”
- M: 94 cm / 37”
- L: 104 cm / 41”
- XL: 114 cm / 44.75”
- 2XL: 124 cm / 48.75”
- 3XL: 134 cm / 52.75”
- 4XL: 144 cm / 56.75”
- 5XL: 154 cm / 60.5”
Top length is 61.5 (62.5, 63.5, 65) (66.5, 67.5, 69, 70.5, 71.5) cm / 24.25 (24.5, 25, 25.5, 26.25) (26.5, 27.25, 27.75, 28.25)”.
You can easily adjust the length to your desired length, just add/remove length before splitting for the sleeves.
Gauge
The gauge for this pattern, in stockinette stitch, is 23 st by 23 rows for a 10 cm by 10 cm square (4” by 4”).
Note: Bamboo has a tendency to grow a lot! Make sure your swatch is big enough and you block it. Gauge and all dimensions are given blocked. Take note of your pre- blocking and blocked gauge and calculate accordingly.
Abbreviations & Instructions
- st = stitch
- k = knit
- p = purl
- k2tog = knit 2 stitches together
- ssk = slip 2 stitches knitwise, knit these 2 stitches together through back
loops; single left-leaning decrease
Repeat instructions between [] the indicated number of times or until the end of the round/row.
The final number of stitches is indicated at the end of the round/row between < >.
Special Stitches and Techniques
- Stockinette stitch:
- In the round: knit all rounds.
- Flat: Knit right side rows, purl wrong side rows.
- I-cord cast on in the round: Both the body and sleeves start with a 4 stitch I-cord cast on. You can refer to this video tutorial. Note, the Elysian Top requires a 4 stitch i-cord while the video uses a 3 stitch i-cord. Adjust accordingly.
- I-cord edge: You will add an applied I-cord edge around the neckline. This is the video tutorial I’ve used.Note, the Elysian Top requires a 4 stitch i-cord while the video uses a 3 stitch i-cord. Adjust accordingly.
No time right now?Pin this summer knit top pattern for later!
The Actual Easy Knit Summer Top Pattern
With your 4 mm / US 6 needles, using a 4 stitch I-cord cast on 196 (220, 244, 268,292) (316, 340, 364, 384) st and join in the round.
Knit in stockinette stitch until you reach 40 cm / 15.75”.
On the next row split front and back:
- XS: Cast off 2, knit 70 (back panel), cast off 2, knit 122 (front panel).
- S: Cast off 2, knit 82 (back panel), cast off 2, knit 134 (front panel).
- M: Cast off 6, knit 90 (back panel), cast off 6, knit 142 (front panel).
- L: Cast off 10, knit 98 (back panel), cast off 10, knit 150 (front panel).
- XL: Cast off 10, knit 110 (back panel), cast off 10, knit 162 (front panel).
- 2XL: Cast off 14, knit 118 (back panel), cast off 14, knit 170 (front panel).
- 3XL: Cast off 20, knit 124 (back panel), cast off 20, knit 176 (front panel).
- 4XL: Cast off 20, knit 136 (back panel), cast off 20, knit 188 (front panel).
- 45XL: Cast off 20, knit 146 (back panel), cast off 20, knit 198 (front panel).
Front panel
Purl across.
[Armhole shaping: k2, ssk, knit across, k2tog, k2. Knit 3 rows in stockinette st] 4 times. <114 (126, 134, 142, 154) (162, 168, 180, 190) st>
Knit in stockinette for 3.5 (4.5, 5.5, 7, 8.5) (9.5, 11, 12.5, 13.5) cm / 1.5 (1.75, 2.25, 2.75, 3.25) (3.75, 4.25, 5, 5.25)”.
Neck Opening
Knit 18 (24, 28, 32, 38) (42, 45, 51, 56), cast off 78st, knit 18 (24, 28, 32, 38) (42, 45, 51, 56).
Continue working each shoulder separately.
Shoulder 1
Purl across.
[Decrease: K2, ssk, knit across. Purl 1 row across.] 5 times. <13 (19, 23, 27, 33) (38, 40, 46, 51)>
Continue in stockinette until length from armhole is 21.5 (22.5, 23.5, 25, 26.5) (27.5, 29, 30.5, 31.5) cm / 8.5 (8.75, 9.25, 9.75, 10.5) (10.75, 11.5, 12, 12.5)”.
Cast off and leave a long tail for sewing.
Shoulder 2
Go back to the stitches you left for the other shoulder and join yarn at the shoulder side.
[Decrease: Knit until last 4 st, k2tog, k2. Purl 1 row across.] 5 times. <13 (19, 23, 27, 33) (38, 40, 46, 51)>
Continue in stockinette until length from armhole is 21.5 (22.5, 23.5, 25, 26.5) (27.5, 29, 30.5, 31.5) cm / 8.5 (8.75, 9.25, 9.75, 10.5) (10.75, 11.5, 12, 12.5)”.
Cast off and leave a long tail for sewing.
Back panel
Go back to stitches left on the side for the back panel and join yarn to start with a wrong side row.
Purl across.
[Armhole shaping: k2, ssk, knit across, k2tog, k2. Knit 3 rows in stockinette st] 4 times. <62 (74, 82, 90 , 102) (110, 116, 128, 138) st>
Knit in stockinette until length from armhole is 21.5 (22.5, 23.5, 25, 26.5) (27.5, 29, 30.5, 31.5) cm / 8.5 (8.75, 9.25, 9.75, 10.5) (10.75, 11.5, 12, 12.5)”.
Cast off and leave a tail for sewing.
Assembly & Collar Finishing Touches for this Summer Top Knit Pattern
Sew the shoulders seams together.
To form the fold at the neckline you will fold the fabric over 52 st. With the top inside out and a stitch mark the middle 52 stitches of the front panel as if to skip them (refer to image below).
Sew the folded fabric flat to the rest of the neckline. The middle 52 sts should be laid flat across 26 cast-off sts on each side. All sts should match up. You’ll work the i-cord edging over this seam.
Add an I-cord edge all around the neckline. Refer to this detailed video tutorial if needed.
Sleeves
With your 4 mm / US 6 knitting needles, I-cord cast on 94 (98, 103, 110, 116) (121, 128, 135, 140) st and join in the round.
Knit in stockinette in the round for 18 cm / 3.25”.
Knit in stockinette in rows back and forth for 1 (1, 3, 5, 5) (7, 10, 10 ,10) rows.
Note: You’ll use this piece to sew to the cast off stitches at the armholes when assembling.
Cast off and leave a long tail for sewing
Assembly
The fold at the top of the sleeve is formed in the same manner as the neckline fold. At the middle of the sleeve compared to the
beginning of the row, fold 2.5 cm / 1” fabric on each side pinching it together at the middle point. Sew the formed fold in place before assembling the sleeve to the rest of the top. Sew sleeve to armhole attaching the middle of the fold to the top of the shoulder (I cord cast- on on the elbow side). Use the side of the open rows to sew to the cast-off stitches at the underarm.
Blocking
You are done with the knitting part. Make sure to weave in all the ends. To make your top prettier and help even out your stitches, carefully block your project to final dimensions. Make sure not to outstretch it as bamboo can be stretched easily,
Don’t skip this step as it can make a huge difference. Read my detailed tutorial on why block, how-to, and all my tips and tricks if you need help.
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You may not share, sell or claim my patterns as your own. You can make finished items to sell (i.e. on Etsy, at craft fairs) from my patterns but I ask that you link back to my blog knittingwithchopsticks.com and provide credit for the pattern. Copyright 2024
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