In the warm season, every girl wants to look especially original, feminine, romantic. Short, airy, body-friendly tops are perfect for this purpose. Elegant hand-made items have been trending for several seasons: against the backdrop of glamorous branded novelties, they stand out for their harmonious combination of sophistication and simplicity. According to experienced craftswomen, knitting a summer top with knitting needles is a completely feasible task; creating a stylish new item will take a minimum of time. And the knitting process itself, as scientists have proven, is extremely useful for motor skills, the nervous system, and as a preventative measure against cognitive impairment.
Variety of models
A women's knitted top is perhaps the best clothing option for the hot season. This type of sleeveless T-shirt comes in two types: one-piece models knitted with circular needles (raglan), and cut from several parts. The clothes are held on the body by straps, their length can be adjusted. Popular strap options:
- thin;
- crossed;
- in the form of braids;
- wide;
- in the form of a loop that is worn around the neck, resembling a choker.
Some knitted tops for women have short sleeves. The neckline is usually of two types - round or square, less common options are wavy and in the shape of the Latin letter V.
For translucent tops with openwork knitting, it is worth using a lining of a single or contrasting color, made of linen or cotton. With such an addition, the light, airy product will not be translucent, so it is quite suitable for the office - it can be worn instead of a blouse under a business suit.
The style should be chosen depending on the features of the figure and the age of the woman. If for young slender beauties open options with a deep neckline will be appropriate, then older ladies should prefer more modest, elegant models.
Choice of yarn and color scheme
A beautiful top with knitting needles for the summer can be knitted from cotton or acrylic yarn. Basic requirements for the material of manufacture:
- environmental friendliness;
- good air permeability;
- ability to absorb moisture;
- pleasant tactile structure of the thread.
To knit a top with knitting needles, it is better to take yarn with a small percentage of synthetics - the finished product is worn directly over underwear, so it should not prick.
The color of the product should match other clothes. The most common summer shades are beige, sand, white, turquoise. You can combine contrasting tones - in the finished product, such a combination looks very interesting. At the same time, novice craftswomen are not recommended to combine more than 2-3 colors, as this complicates knitting the top.
As for knitting techniques, the most popular are the simplest versions of relief decor:
- braids (as a rule, this type of knitting is used to make straps);
- cones;
- pimples.
On children's and teenage T-shirts, a pattern imitating chessboard squares looks good, but it should be contrasting. For example, red and white, brown and yellow, orange and green. Such a top can be worn with jeans, shorts.
Instructions for knitting popular patterns
Beginners should knit summer tops using step-by-step master classes. It is advisable to choose descriptions with graphic diagrams, supplemented with photo instructions. Such "additions" will not be superfluous for experienced knitters.
Openwork with short sleeves
The lacy top with short sleeves can be knitted from linen or cotton yarn. The combination of red and brown colors looks attractive. The recommended knitting needle number is 3. Step-by-step instructions for making:
- Make the basic pattern by alternating front and back stitches.
- Knit the front and back.
- Make decreases for armholes, close loops.
- Make sleeves by casting on 60 stitches.
Once all the elements are ready, the knitted top is sewn on the sides. Then the sleeves are sewn in and the edges are tied with a crab stitch.
With wide straps and a round neckline
This summer T-shirt will help to visually narrow broad shoulders. For work, bright pink yarn of medium thickness will be suitable. You will need knitting needles number 4. Step-by-step instructions:
- Knit three patterns in garter stitch one after the other.
- Make decreases for decoration.
- Knit the back and front.
- Assemble the finished top and sew the straps onto it.
The "garter stitch" pattern is quite simple to perform. The front rows of the knitted top are made with the same loops. The same rule applies to the back rows.
With a yoke
This knitted top is made from light brown yarn. The round yoke is decorated with patterns with an ornament of wide elongated leaves. Brief instructions:
- Make a wide yoke.
- Perform the front rows, following the diagram.
- Purl stitches are knitted with the same loops (provided that the knitting is double-sided).
- Attach the decorative piece to the back and front.
The sleeves are short. The size of the leaves on the yoke varies depending on the height and weight of the woman. It is recommended to use circular knitting needles in the work.
With a pimply pattern
It is better to choose a light color of yarn, consisting of cotton, wool, viscose, synthetics. The top will suit both a child and an adult. Step-by-step instructions for beginners:
- Work the lower part of the front in stocking stitch.
- Make a yoke with a pimply pattern.
- Make the back in the same way.
- Assemble the finished product.
The ornament in the form of small convex dots is one of the easiest to make. Its rapport in height is 12 rows. The shoulder line is slightly lowered, which creates a visual effect of slight asymmetry.
In cape style
The product is made using classic stocking stitch. This technique is based on alternating purl and face loops. Knitting patterns and step-by-step instructions:
- Cast on 19 stitches for a summer top.
- Knit a 10 x 10 square in 22 rows.
- Make armholes for the sleeves so that they hang down slightly.
- Finish the cuffs and neckline with any decorative stitch (for example, a crab stitch).
For work you need straight and circular knitting needles. The yarn may include acrylic, flax, viscose, cotton.
In color block technique
To work, you need circular knitting needles and a crochet hook, as well as suitable yarn (you will need to use several shades of one color, for example, red). The ornament is based on alternating stripes with an openwork pattern. Step-by-step algorithm of actions:
- Knit the front part of the top using knitting needles, following the pattern with the description.
- Start making the back and stop where the armholes begin.
- Continue making the two front pieces, which will then need to be thrown back.
- Sew these halves.
The final stage of knitting openwork tops with knitting needles using the color block technique is assembling the finished product. The front halves are sewn to the center of the back. Next, a V-shaped neckline is formed. It is crocheted with a bright red thread.
With shadow effect
The product is made with the front surface. The knitting pattern is designed for a chest circumference of 96.5 cm. Step-by-step instructions:
- Cast on 20 stitches onto knitting needles.
- Make a 10 x 10 cm square in stocking stitch, 26 rows high.
- Decorate the main part - make openwork patterns. Each vertical rapport has its own shade.
- Tie the bottom, forming small flounces from white yarn.
The summer top is knitted in a circle. Up to the armholes, the back and front are one piece, then they are separated. The alternation of stripes of different shades creates an interesting effect of the play of light and shadow.
In the process, it is necessary to monitor the density of knitting, it should be the same all the time. If you ignore this simple rule, the finished product may turn out ugly, the fabric will be uneven. You can choose any color. Scarlet or rich blue with a dark shadow looks impressive, all gradations of green will suit young girls.
For overweight women
This openwork model goes well with a cardigan, jacket, business office suit. The master class on making a summer top with knitting needles number 2 is designed for size 54-56. Additionally, you will need a hook in the process. Brief description of the work:
- Cast on 153 stitches.
- Perform knitting, using the drawing with diagrams as a guide.
- Add 10 stitches on each side to form short sleeves.
- Reduce the same number of loops from the side where the shoulder slope should be.
- Close the loops.
The back is knitted using the same pattern as the front. Next, the neck is processed. Single crochets can be used to decorate the bottom edge.
Ladies with a solid figure do not necessarily have to choose exclusively dark tones. Pastel colors, sand, beige are also great options that will "make you look younger". If the needlewoman decides to knit a patterned top, she should avoid transverse stripes, because they visually stretch the figure in width. Vertical lines, on the contrary, create the illusion of slimness. Those with a lush bust can be advised a shallow neckline and a complete lack of decoration in the décolleté area, so as not to look vulgar.
For a girl
Beautiful knitted T-shirts, tunics and tops are a great gift for a girl of any age. The original model made of cotton yarn is suitable for a teenager. Brief instructions for making:
- Knitting the back with elastic and openwork patterns.
- Make the front in the same way, creating a deep neckline.
- Make decreases along the edges of the neckline.
- Crochet the armholes.
When the top parts are ready, the shoulders and sides are sewn together. The bottom of the product can be decorated with fringe. Sequins or rhinestones are also suitable for decoration.
If the top is intended for wearing on the beach, it is recommended to cover the shoulders so that the child does not get sunburned. At the same time, the straps of the models with straps should not be tight, thereby rubbing the skin.
make decreases along the edges of the neck
Decor options
When choosing the decor of the finished product, you should focus on the age of the young lady. In addition, the selected decorations should be in harmony with the color of the top. Bright, eye-catching accessories will suit monochrome models, but a colorful openwork top does not need additional decoration.
| Age | Decor options for the finished model |
| 5–7 | Applique, pompoms, decorative buttons |
| 8–13 | Embroidery, sequins |
| 14–25 | Rhinestones |
| Over 25 | Tassels, fringe, armhole decoration of tops with contrasting color braid |
Any decorations on openwork tops should correspond to a certain style. Products intended for the office can be left unadorned. T-shirts for the beach and city walks can include any decorations, brightness and flashiness are only welcome. Knitted relief decor is very popular. The simplest ornament to make is a vertical pattern of braids of different thicknesses. You can also decorate a smart top with shells and cones.
Knitted patterns of alternating longitudinal or transverse stripes look beautiful on summer tops, especially with the effect of light and shadow play. A check always looks beautiful and bright, especially a combination of two contrasting colors (yellow and black, blue and white, green and orange).
When choosing a pattern, keep in mind that the vertical direction visually stretches the figure, while the horizontal direction, on the contrary, makes you look fat. This applies to both straight stripes and zigzag lines.
Original knitted tops will suit fashionistas of any height and build. The main thing is to choose the right style of T-shirt, which emphasizes the advantages of the figure and successfully hides its flaws. Such clothes in combination with a skirt or shorts will look beautiful on the beach, in a cafe or on an evening walk around the city. Some models can be worn to the office.
Video
