For a summer knitting project, why not pick up a free vintage summer knitting project? These vintage knitting patterns are breezy, colorful and cute – perfect for the warmer weather. Also included are a few breezy cardigans for those nights and evenings that can sometimes get a little chilly.
1. A Charming Seahorse Cardigan
While a cardigan might not be everyone’s first thought when it comes to a summer knit.
However, some warm days can end in chilly evenings and nights, so a long sleeve cardigan in a cotton yarn can be a perfect throw-on piece.
The best part of this design is the fantastical seahorse appliqué with embroidered bubbles coming from his mouth.
So many color are possible from bright and fabulous to a more understated neutral tone on tone idea.
2. A 1930s Bertha Top
This 1930s knit top is originally suggested to be knit in chenille (can you say way too hot?), but is a fantastic option to knit in a lighter yarn.
Perfect summer yarns could be a cotton, a linen or a bamboo which are all light, breezy and drape beautifully.
The stripes on this free vintage knitting pattern offer the perfect chance to customize this top to your wardrobe, and as a tank it is a super quick knit.
3. Lacy, Frilly Crop Top
1940s sweaters and tops can be perfect to repurpose as modern-day crop tops.
As vintage fashion was very high-waisted many tops from the 1940s would be considered modern day crop tops, like this free vintage pattern!
This cute frilly top is knit up in a cotton and adds a delicate, breezy item to wear in the summer.
This could be perfect to wear to festivals, over a bathing suit and a beach cover-up.
As usual, the best part of this cute vintage pattern is that it is all available for free!
4. A 1960s Groovy Vest
This late 1960s lacy sleeveless cardigan or knit vest is another perfect item to have on hand during a beach day.
This would do well as a cover up, to stay cute while protecting yourself from the sun or to throw on when the bonfire starts at night to keep a little of the chill away.
Knit it up in a cotton yarn for a cooler finish, or opt for a warmer wool blend to keep more of the chill away.
5. A Patriotic Knit Top
Straight from the flag and on to your needles, this 1950s design is perfect for wearing to a July 4th party!
While the original pattern calls for a wool yarn, modern bamboo, cotton or linen blends would make a very breezy and cool top from this pattern.
Knit with a red, white and blue theme this sweater would word up in a jiffy to keep you cool for a pool party!
6. Stripy Swimsuit
This stripy swimsuit works beautifully for laying out in the sun or playing in the sea. Knit as a halter-top and boy-shorts combo, this vintage bathing suit can look really cute in the sand!
The pattern even assures you that due to the striped design this suit won’t stretch in the water. Though today we would likely not see anyone in a wool knit suit, this could be adapted with modern knitting yarns like cotton or bamboo!