Child Sarah Tee: One of My Must-Try Free Summer Knitting Patterns for Kids
Looking for summer knitting patterns for kids? I’ve got a whole list linked right here to my sweater patterns page—plus a brand-new fave at the bottom of this post!
Let’s talk about summer knitting patterns for kids—because yes, it’s absolutely possible to keep those needles flying when the weather heats up! You just need the right kind of projects: lightweight, breathable, simple to work on poolside (or while hiding in the AC), and adorable enough that your kiddo actually wants to wear it when you’re done.
Today, I’m sharing some of my go-to summer knitting patterns for kids that are perfect for warmer weather. Some are breezy little tees, some are layering pieces, and all of them are fun to knit (without 14 hours of seaming, I promise). At the very bottom of this post, I’ve got a brand new favorite to share: the Child Sarah Tee. But first—let’s look at the rest of the collection!
You can find the full list of summer sweater patterns for kids right here so you can dive into even more inspiration when you’re done reading.
Why I Love Summer Knitting Patterns for Kids
First of all, let’s just appreciate how much faster it is to knit something in a child’s size. When I need a satisfying, wearable project that won’t take over my whole month? Summer knitting patterns for kids are my happy place.
They’re great for stash-busting, too. With lightweight yarns and shorter sleeves, you’re not using a ton of material, which is awesome if you’re trying to make the most out of every skein.
And the real bonus? Kids actually wear them. Whether it’s a soft tee under overalls or a sweet handmade top for camp, I’ve found these knits get pulled out of drawers all summer long.
A Few of My Other Favorite Summer Tees for Kids
I’ve released quite a few summer knitting patterns for kids over the years, and these two definitely deserve a mention:
Puff Sleeve Tee Free Pattern – This one’s all about sweet puff sleeves and a simple silhouette. Perfect for when your kiddo wants something a little dressier without being uncomfortable.
Deborah Tee Free Pattern – I designed this one to be ultra-wearable and easy to knit. Mostly stockinette in the round with just enough detail in that stripe up the back to keep you interested.
Both are worked in light and breathable summer yarns, so if you love cotton or silk these are for you.
But what if you’re in the mood to switch things up a bit?
Meet the Child Sarah Tee (You’ll Find It at the Bottom of This Post!)
If you’ve ever wanted a break from top-down construction but didn’t want to commit to sewing 42 different seams… hello, the Child Sarah Tee is for you.
This sweet little tee is worked bottom-up—which gives the whole piece a really clean structure. You start in the round up to the underarm, and then things get fun.
Instead of sewing sleeves on (which I know a lot of knitters dread), you cast them on directly when you’re ready and then work flat—first the back, then the front. It’s like working a jigsaw puzzle where all the pieces just… fit. The only seams? Under the arms and across the shoulders. That’s it. (Cue angels singing.)
Materials I Used (With Affiliate Links)
I used Lion Brand Coboo (affiliate link) for this tee because it’s basically made for summer. It’s lightweight, breathable, and has such a nice drape without clinging or stretching out weird. My 12-year-old has worn this top layered with everything—under overalls and tank dresses, with skirts, you name it—and it holds its shape so well.
For the needles, I used:
- KnitPicks interchangeable size 6 (4mm) needles (affiliate link) for the body
- KnitPicks interchangeable size 4 (3.5mm) needles (affiliate link) for the ribbing
- And for the neckline on the smaller sizes, KnitPicks double-pointed needles (DPNs) size 4 (3.5mm) (affiliate link)
Simple tools, super wearable results.
Let’s Talk About That Stitch Pattern
The body features a chevron lace stitch that looks fancy without being overly frilly or too “girly.” My daughter loves that it feels pretty and feminine without being over-the-top. And the best part? It’s super easy to memorize. I’d call this an advanced beginner project—perfect if you’ve done a few simple garments and are ready to try a different construction method.
No shaping puzzles. No weird instructions. Just clean lines and pretty lace.
How We Style It
Okay, real-life moment here: my daughter has already worn the Child Sarah Tee so many times that I’ve had to sneak it away to get photos of it for this post.
It looks amazing with denim shorts or a flowy skirt, but it also works layered under a jumper or sundress. Basically, this tee can go from backyard s’mores to Sunday morning without skipping a beat.
And that’s what I love most about summer knitting patterns for kids—when they turn into something truly useful for everyday life. And I mean every day. Because the yarn is machine washable so it gets tossed in the laundry and worn again as soon as it’s clean.
Quick Recap: Why You’ll Love the Child Sarah Tee
- Bottom-up construction = new challenge without confusion
- Minimal seams (just shoulders and underarms!)
- Sleeves are cast on—not sewn
- Chevron lace that’s simple and elegant
- Great with Lion Brand Coboo (affiliate link) and KnitPicks interchangeable needles (affiliate link)
- Perfect for layering or wearing on its own
- Advanced-beginner friendly
- Kid-approved and mom-tested
Whether you’re new to garment knitting or just looking for a quick, satisfying project, I highly recommend diving into some summer knitting patterns for kids. You’ll find the full list of my favorite tees and sweaters on this page, and you’ll find the Child Sarah Tee free pattern at the very bottom of this blog post.
So grab your yarn, pick your favorite, and let your needles soak up some sunshine.
Child Sarah Tee Free Pattern
MATERIALS AND INFO
Size: 0-3m, 3-6m (6-12m, 12m) 18m, 24m (3/4y, 5/6y) 7/8y, 9/10y (11/12y, 13/14yrs)
Materials: Approximately 240, 275 (320, 370) 395, 425 (480, 550) 640, 745 (840, 980) yds of Lion Brand Coboo 100g/232yds yarn needle, stitch markers
Needle Size: 6(US) 4mm circular needles and dpn, 4(US) 3.5mm circular and dpn
Gauge (tension): 24sts & 32 rows to make 10cm square, using size 6(US) 4mm needles working in stockinette stitch
Chest Measurement: 41, 44 (47, 50), 52, 54 (57, 61) 66, 72 (78, 84) cm or 16, 17.25 (18.5, 19.5) 20.5, 21 (22.5, 24) 26, 28.25 (30.75, 33) ins
METHOD
Sara Tee is bottom-up drop sleeve pullover in an easy-care yarn. It is worked in the round until the sleeves. Created for our 4th child. She wanted something fun and breezy for summer.
Abbreviations can be found on the last page.
Note: choose size based on chest measurement for best fit. Measurements above are measurement of the person not sweater measurements.
1X1 RIB PATTERN
Row 1 (right side row) – (k1, p1) across
Row 2 – knit all the knit stitches, purl all the purl stitches.
STITCH CHART
In the Round Instructions
Round 1 – [k2, yo, ssk, k2, yo, ssk, k2tog, yo, k2, k2tog, yo, k2] around
Round 2 – knit around
Round 3 – [k1,yo, ssk, k2, yo, ssk, k2, k2tog, yo, k2, k2tog, yo, k1] around
Round 4 – knit around
Round 5 – [k4, yo, ssk, k4, k2tog, yo, k4] around
Round 6 – knit around
Round 7 – [k3, yo, ssk, k6, k2tog, yo, k3] around
Round 8 – knit around
Row Instructions
Row 1 – [k2, yo, ssk, k2, yo, ssk, k2tog, yo, k2, k2tog, yo, k2] across
Row 2 – purl across
Row 3 – [k1,yo, ssk, k2, yo, ssk, k2, k2tog, yo, k2, k2tog, yo, k1] across
Row 4 – purl across
Row 5 – [k4, yo, ssk, k4, k2tog, yo, k4] across
Row 6 – purl across
Row 7 – [k3, yo, ssk, k6, k2tog, yo, k3] across
Row 8 – purl across
BODY
Cast on using smaller circular needle: 128, 128 (144, 144) 160, 160 (160, 176) 192, 208 (208, 224) sts. Join in the round.
Work in 1×1 ribbing for 2, 2 (2, 2) 2.5, 2.5 (2.5, 2.5) 2.5, 2.5 (2.5, 2.5)cms or .75, .75 (.75, .75) 1, 1 (1, 1) 1, 1 (1, 1)ins.
Switch to larger needles.
Work in stitch chart pattern until piece measures 14, 15 (17.5, 19.5) 21, 22.5 (24, 25) 27.5, 30 (32, 35) cm or 5.5, 6 (7, 7.75) 8.5, 9 (9.5, 10) 11, 12 (13, 14) measuring from cast on.
SEPARATE FOR ARMHOLE
Work 64, 64 (72, 72) 80, 80 (80, 88) 96, 104 (104, 112) sts place remaining 64, 64 (72, 72) 80, 80 (80, 88) 96, 104 (104, 112) sts on holder.
You will now work flat.
Cast on 3, 3 (3, 3) 6, 6 (6, 6) 9, 9 (9, 9) sts at the beginning of the next 2 rows
[70, 70 (78, 78) 92, 92 (92, 100) 114, 122 (122, 130) sts]
Work in stitch chart pattern until piece measures 22.5, 24 (27, 30) 32.5, 35 (37.5, 40) 42.5, 45 (47.5, cms or 9, 9.5 (10.75, 12) 13, 14 (15, 16) 17, 18 (19, 20) ins
SHAPE BACK SHOULDERS
5/6yrs – 13/14yrs sizes only
Bind off x, x (x, x) x, x (x, 13) 17, 17 (18, 19) sts at beginning of the next 2 rows.
All Sizes
Bind off 3, 11 (11, 12) 15, 16 (16, 7) 8, 8 (9, 10) sts at beginning of row, work in pattern for 17, 10 (11, 12) 12, 12 (12, 10) 10, 12 (12, 12) [18, 11 (12, 13) 13, 13 (13, 11) 11, 13 (13, 13) sts on right needle].
Put remaining sts on stitch holder.
Turn, bind off 3sts, work to end of row.
Turn, bind off remaining 15, 8 (9, 10) 10, 10 (10, 8) 8, 10 (10, 10) sts
With right side facing, rejoin yarn to stitches on hold, bind off 28, 26 (32, 28) 36, 34 (34, 38) 42, 46 (42, 46) knit remaining 21, 22 (23, 25) 28, 29 (29, 18) 19, 21 (22, 23) sts.
Turn, bind off 3, 11 (11, 12) 15, 16 (16, 7) 8, 8 (9, 10) sts work to end of row
Turn, bind off 3sts
Turn, bind off 15, 8 (9, 10) 10, 10 (10, 8) 8, 10 (10, 10) sts
SHAPE FRONT ARMHOLES
With larger needle pick up the 64, 64 (72, 72) 80, 80 (80, 88) 96, 104 (104, 112) sts on hold.
Cast on 3, 3 (3, 3) 6, 6 (6, 6) 9, 9 (9, 9) sts at the beginning of the next 2 rows
[70, (92, sts]
Continue working in stitch chart pattern until you have worked 18, 19.5 (22.5, 25) 27, 29 (31.5, 35.5) 39, 42.5 (46.5, 50) cms or 7.25, 7.75 (9, 10) 10.75, 11.5 (12.5, 14.25) 15.5, 16 (17, 18) ins
LEFT FRONT NECK SHAPING
Work 23, 24 (25, 27) 33, 34 (34, 36) 42, 45 (47, 50) sts, put remaining sts on holder, turn.
Decrease 1 st at neck edge of next 3, 3 (3, 3) 5, 5 (5, 5) 5, 6 (6, 6) rows.
Then decrease 1 st at neck edge of every other row 2, 2 (2, 2) 3, 3 (3, 3) 4, 4 (4, 5) times.
18, 19 (20, 22) 25, 26 (26, 28) 33, 35 (37, 39) sts remain.
Work in stitch chart pattern until piece measures 22.5, 24 (27, 30) 32.5, 35 (37.5, 40) 42.5, 45 (47.5, cms or 9, 9.5 (10.75, 12) 13, 14 (15, 16) 17, 18 (19, 20) ins
LEFT FRONT SHOULDER SHAPING
3-6m – 13/14y Sizes only
Starting on a right-side row, bind off x, 11 (11, 12) 15, 16 (16, 13) 17, 17 (18, 19) sts, work across remains sts, turn.
Work 1 row with no decreases, turn.
5/6yrs – 13/14yrs sizes only
bind off x, x (x, x) x, x (x, 7) 8, 8 (9, 10) sts, work across remains sts, turn.
Work 1 row with no decreases, turn.
All sizes
Bind off remaining 18, 8 (9, 10) 10, 10 (10, 8) 8, 10 (10, 10) sts.
RIGHT FRONT NECK SHAPING
Rejoin yarn to work on stitch holder and bind off 24, 22 (28, 24) 26, 24 (24, 28) 30, 32 (28, 30) sts
Work to the end of the row.
Decrease 1 st at neck edge of next 3, 3 (3, 3) 5, 5 (5, 5) 5, 6 (6, 6) rows.
Then decrease 1 st at neck edge of every other row 2, 2 (2, 2) 3, 3 (3, 3) 4, 4 (4, 5) times.
18, 19 (20, 22) 25, 26 (26, 28) 33, 35 (37, 39) sts remain.
Work in stitch chart pattern until piece measures 22.5, 24 (27, 30) 32.5, 35 (37.5, 40) 42.5, 45 (47.5, cms or 9, 9.5 (10.75, 12) 13, 14 (15, 16) 17, 18 (19, 20) ins
RIGHT FRONT SHOULDER SHAPING
6-12m – 13/14y Sizes only
Starting on a wrong-side row, bind off x, 11 (11, 12) 15, 16 (16, 13) 17, 17 (18, 19) sts, work across remains sts, turn.
Work 1 row with no decreases, turn.
5/6yrs – 13/14yrs sizes only
bind off x, x (x, x) x, x (x, 7) 8, 8 (9, 10) sts, work across remains sts, turn.
Work 1 row with no decreases, turn.
All sizes
Bind off remaining 18, 8 (9, 10) 10, 10 (10, 8) 8, 10 (10, 10) sts.
Sew shoulder seams.
SLEEVES (MAKE 2)
With smaller needles, pick up and knit 40, 42 (44, 46) 48, 48 (52, 54) 58, 62 (66, 70) sts.
Work for 2, 2 (2, 2) 2, 2 (2.5, 2.5) 2.5, 2.5 (2.5, 2.5) cms or .75, .75 (.75, .75) .75, .75 (1, 1) 1, 1 (1, 1) ins in k1p1 ribbing. Bind off in pattern.
Sew underarm seam.
NECKBAND.
Pick up and knit 12, 14 (14, 14) 16, 16 (16, 17) 17, 19 (19, 20) sts down left front, 24, 22 (28, 24) 26, 24 (24, 28) 30, 32 (28, 30) sts across neck,
12, 14 (14, 14) 16, 16 (16, 17) 17, 19 (19, 20) sts up right front,
28, 26 (32, 28) 36, 34 (34, 38) 42, 46 (42, 46) sts around back.
Join in the round. 76, 76 (88, 80) 94, 90 (90, 100) 106, 116 (108, 116) sts
Work for 2, 2 (2, 2) 2, 2 (2.5, 2.5) 2.5, 2.5 (2.5, 2.5) cms or .75, .75 (.75, .75) .75, .75 (1, 1) 1, 1 (1, 1) ins in k1p1 ribbing. Bind off in pattern.
FINISHING
Weave in all ends and block as desired.
ABBREVIATIONS
K – knit
P – purl
PM – place marker
SM – slip marker
K2tog – knit 2 stitches together
SSK – slip, slip, knit the slipped sts together
Child Sarah Tee PDF Download
Let’s Chat!
What color are you planning to make your kiddo’s Sarah Tee? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear what your kiddos love to wear!
Affiliate Disclaimer:
This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting my work and my free patterns!
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