Knitwear isn’t just for winter. If you’ve cast off your latest sweater and you’re ready to start something for summer, your next project awaits: an easy knitted bralette.
Bralettes are small, tight-fitting knitted tops. They don’t include wires or padding, but they’re excellent as loungewear, underwear, or just paired with high-waisted jeans on a summer’s day.
Even better, they’re super simple to knit and they only use one or two balls of yarn.
Over the past few years, knitted bralette patterns have grown more popular than ever amongst knitwear designers both big and small. To help you choose the design for you, we’ve curated this list of the best bralette knitting patterns out there, to save you time searching.
Due to their short silhouette and thin straps, bralettes can look similar to other types of crop top and tank top. Actually, they’re a very specific type of garment: bralettes are typically smaller, much more cropped, and you can wear them instead of a bra if you’d like.
This list caters to knitted bra patterns specifically, so if you’re looking to knit a crop top or tank top pattern, we recommend reading those collections instead, which are coming soon. Alternatively, you can deviate from the instructions and lengthen any of the patterns in this list.
We’ve selected a range of easy patterns in contemporary styles. They mainly use DK, worsted, and chunky weight yarn in breathable yarn types that are comfortable to wear close to the skin.
Most of the patterns we’ve included are knit in the round using simple stockinette stitch, circular needles for the body, and double pointed needles for the straps. You’ll learn how to knit a quick and easy bralette that’s fashionable, light on yarn, and great for summer. Even better, it won’t take long to block your knitting either.
13 Basic Bralette Knitting Patterns (On Circular & Double Pointed Needles)
Here you’ll find thirteen quick and easy knitting patterns for bralettes. They’re basic, comfortable, and perfect for relaxed summer days.
1. Knitted Bra Pattern & Tutorial
| Price | $7.00/£5.25 |
|---|---|
| Techniques Required | N/A – See Pattern |
| Suggested Yarn | N/A – See Pattern |
| Designer’s Website | Knitted Bra – Soulfulknitwear on Etsy |
Created for absolute beginners, this pattern contains written instructions and tutorial photos. It’ll teach you how to knit a modern bralette with a stylish v-neck in three sizes: XS, S, and M.
You’ll use rib stitching and soft cotton yarn to create a stretchy, breathable fabric that you can comfortably wear directly on the skin.
Recommended Materials
To knit this pattern, you will need the following materials:| Needle Size | US Size 2/2.5mm Circular Needles US Size 3/3mm Circular Needles |
|---|---|
| Yarn Weight | N/A – See Pattern |
| Yarn Quantity | 100g-150g |
2. “Devil Wears BraDa” Chunky Knit Bralette
| Price | $6.17/£4.62 |
|---|---|
| Techniques Required | N/A – See Pattern |
| Suggested Yarn | Crazy Sexy Wool – Wool and the Gang |
| Designer’s Website | “Devil Wears BraDa” – BrendaMadeThis on Etsy |
If you’re looking for a chunkier bralette, the “Devil Wears BraDa” pattern is the one for you. It’ll take you just one skein of super chunky wool and half a day of spare time to work up a thick, textured bra that can be worn all by itself.
This project is designed to look closer to a bra than a crop top. Much like our collection of dress knitting patterns, you can also use an extra skein of super bulky yarn to lengthen the garment if you’d prefer.
Recommended Materials
To knit this pattern, you will need the following materials:| Needle Size | US Size 15/10mm Circular Needles (24in Cable) US Size 19/12mm Circular Needles (32in Cable) |
|---|---|
| Yarn Weight | 200g = 80m (Super Chunky) |
| Yarn Quantity | 1-1.5 Skeins |
3. The “Leyla” Bralette
| Price | $9.03/£6.77 |
|---|---|
| Techniques Required | Rib Stitch |
| Suggested Yarn | Pima Cotton – We Are Knitters |
| Designer’s Website | The “Leyla” Bralette – knitwearbyjoan on Etsy |
The “Leyla” bralette pattern is more challenging than some of the more basic designs in this list, but the results are worth it. Beginning with rib stitch for the band of the bra, the pattern progresses into lacework for the body and an i-cord for the straps. The straps are then seamed in at the end along with the cups, which are knitted separately.
Working from the bottom up with instructions for 10 sizes, you’ll practice knitting in the round using DK weight yarn and both circular and double pointed needles.
Recommended Materials
To knit this pattern, you will need the following materials:| Needle Size | US Size 4/3.5mm Circular Needles US Size 6/4mm Circular Needles US Size 4/3.5mm Double Pointed Needles |
|---|---|
| Yarn Weight | DK Weight |
| Yarn Quantity | 100m-360m |
4. “Braberrylette” Knitting Pattern
| Price | $6.50/£4.87 |
|---|---|
| Techniques Required | Stockinette Stitch Leaning Decreasing Duplicate Stitch Mattress Seam |
| Suggested Yarn | N/A – See Pattern |
| Designer’s Website | “Braberrylette” – KTSKnit on Etsy |
We’ve waited a long time to include this pattern in one of our collections. Following its instructions, you can knit a basic stockinette bralette and append it with delicate raspberry details using duplicate stitch.
You’ll need to be familiar with knitting in the round, reading charts, mattress seaming, and some basic shaping techniques. If you do choose to add the details, you’ll need an extra 50g of worsted weight yarn.
Recommended Materials
To knit this pattern, you will need the following materials:| Needle Size | US Size 7/4.5mm Circular Needles US Size 9/5.5mm Circular Needles |
|---|---|
| Yarn Weight | Aran/Worsted Weight |
| Yarn Quantity | 75g-200g |
5. “Sugarboo” Bralette Knitting Pattern
| Price | $7.50/£5.62 |
|---|---|
| Techniques Required | Stockinette Stitch Lifted Increasing |
| Suggested Yarn | Bespoke Cashmere – Clinton Hill Cashmere |
| Designer’s Website | “Sugarboo” Bralette – caidree on Etsy |
The “Sugarboo”’ bralette knitting pattern is knitted using up to 200g of aran weight cashmere yarn, which is the perfect fiber type for those with sensitive skin. Soft and warm, it’s ideal for wearing by itself in the warmer months, or under a baggy cardigan in the winter.
It’s worked from the top down primarily in stockinette stitch, which means you can lengthen the body and straps to create a longer crop top if you’d prefer.
Recommended Materials
To knit this pattern, you will need the following materials:| Needle Size | US Size 8/5mm Circular Needles US Size 6/4mm Circular Needles US Size 6/4mm Double Pointed Needles |
|---|---|
| Yarn Weight | 50g = 90m |
| Yarn Quantity | 100g-200g |
6. Beginner’s Cropped Bralette Pattern
| Price | $5.70/£4.27 |
|---|---|
| Techniques Required | Stockinette Stitch Decreasing |
| Suggested Yarn | N/A – See Pattern |
| Designer’s Website | Beginner’s Cropped Bralette – SaraKnitsCo on Etsy |
This easy cropped bralette pattern is super simple, comfortable, and perfect for lazy summer days. The top is worked both flat and in the round using stockinette stitch and worsted weight yarn, which makes it perfect for beginners looking to familiarize themselves with the basics.
Recommended Materials
To knit this pattern, you will need the following materials:| Needle Size | US Size 8/5mm Circular Needles |
|---|---|
| Yarn Weight | Aran/Worsted Weight |
| Yarn Quantity | 95m-470m |
7. The “Framework” Bralette
| Price | $9.00/£6.74 |
|---|---|
| Techniques Required | Stockinette Stitch Kitchener Stitch |
| Suggested Yarn | Goldfinch – Sweet Sparrow Yarns |
| Designer’s Website | The “Framework” Bralette – Jessie Maed Designs |
Subtle, elegant, and feminine, the “Framework” bralette is designed to mimic the structure and seaming of a conventional bra. It’s shaped and constructed using beginner techniques including stockinette and purl stitching to create a delicate modern bralette that’s both sensual and comfortable.
Recommended Materials
To knit this pattern, you will need the following materials:| Needle Size | US Size 3/3.25mm Circular Needles US Size 4/3.5mm Circular Needles |
|---|---|
| Yarn Weight | 211m = 100g (DK Weight) |
| Yarn Quantity | 105m-604m |
8. Chunky “Game, Set, Match” Top
| Price | $8.50/£6.37 |
|---|---|
| Techniques Required | Stockinette Stitch Increasing Seaming |
| Suggested Yarn | Crazy Sexy Wool – Wool and the Gang |
| Designer’s Website | “Game, Set, Match” Top – KarasKnitEng on Etsy |
Another beginner-friendly pattern, you can purchase the “Game, Set, Match” top individually or with an accompanying cardigan pattern. It features a scooped neckline and a chunky, textured look that’s perfect for spring, fall, and the weeks in between.
Recommended Materials
To knit this pattern, you will need the following materials:| Needle Size | US Size 17/12mm Circular Needles |
|---|---|
| Yarn Weight | 200g = 80m |
| Yarn Quantity | 1-2 Skeins |
9. Ribbed Bralette Knitting Pattern
| Price | $7.00/£5.25 |
|---|---|
| Techniques Required | Stockinette Stitch Increasing & Decreasing Fair Isle Knitting Reading Charts |
| Suggested Yarn | Fixation Solids – Cascade Yarns |
| Designer’s Website | Ribbed Bralette – TheRealKnittyKitty on Etsy |
This easy-to-follow pattern works well as a makeshift bra, bikini top, or to use as comfortable sleepwear. With matching bottoms and leg-warmer patterns available, you can even knit a whole set of loungewear to use at home. Available in women’s sizes XS to XL, you’ll need to be familiar with DK knitting, shaping, fair isle knitting, and reading charts.
Recommended Materials
To knit this pattern, you will need the following materials:| Needle Size | US Size 5/3.75mm Circular Needles |
|---|---|
| Yarn Weight | DK Weight |
| Yarn Quantity | N/A – See Pattern |
10. The Basic Bra
| Price | $3.65/£2.74 |
|---|---|
| Techniques Required | Rib Stitch |
| Suggested Yarn | Cashmere Fine – Englegarn |
| Designer’s Website | The Basic Bra – NakedKnit |
This knitted bra top pattern uses cashmere yarn for a classic, minimalistic look with a comfortable fit. The cashmere fibers ensure that you can wear the bra directly on your skin without worrying about skin irritation, itching, or sweating. The top is knitted in the round using ribbing for the band, while the cups are knitted separately.
Recommended Materials
To knit this pattern, you will need the following materials:| Needle Size | US Size 1-2/2mm Circular Needles |
|---|---|
| Yarn Weight | 25g = 180m |
| Yarn Quantity | 50g-75g |
11. The “Social Bubble” Chunky Bralette
| Price | $6.17/£4.62 |
|---|---|
| Techniques Required | N/A – See Pattern |
| Suggested Yarn | Crazy Sexy Wool – Wool and the Gang |
| Designer’s Website | The “Social Bubble” Bralette – BrendaMadeThis on Etsy |
Made with super bulky yarn, this chunky knit bralette pattern is named after its bubbly, spongy texture. You can follow instructions for six sizes, all of which can be worked up in a day or two thanks to the super chunky wool and large needles. This pattern will be easy to follow for beginners, but the stretchy yarn will offer less support than other bras in this list.
Recommended Materials
To knit this pattern, you will need the following materials:| Needle Size | US Size 15/10mm Circular Needles US Size 17/12mm Circular Needles |
|---|---|
| Yarn Weight | 200g = 80m (Super Chunky) |
| Yarn Quantity | 1 Skein (Color A) 1 Skein (Color B) |
12. Simple V-Neck Bralette Pattern
| Price | $6.06/£4.76 |
|---|---|
| Techniques Required | Stockinette Stitch ssk k2tog |
| Suggested Yarn | N/A – See Pattern |
| Designer’s Website | Simple V-Neck Bralette – KnitsMeDesigns on Etsy |
Created for warm summer days, this bralette features a versatile design you can easily wear with an airy knitted skirt pattern, high-waisted shorts, or for layering under a light jacket. You’ll need to be familiar with basic stitch patterns and techniques including k2tog and ssk. If you come across any problems, the pattern includes written instructions, images, and a free gift pattern, too.
Recommended Materials
To knit this pattern, you will need the following materials:
| Needle Size | US Size 6/4mm Circular Needles |
|---|---|
| Yarn Weight | DK Weight (11 wpi/8 ply) |
| Yarn Quantity | 90g-150g |
13. Knitted Bikini Top Pattern
| Price | $7.00/£5.25 |
|---|---|
| Techniques Required | Stockinette Stitch Increasing & Decreasing Fair Isle Knitting Reading Charts |
| Suggested Yarn | Fixation Solids – Cascade Yarns |
| Designer’s Website | Knitted Bikini Top – TheRealKnittyKitty on Etsy |
Available in sizes XS to XL, this bralette pattern resembles a bikini top more than a crop top. It’s knit using DK weight yarn, 3.75mm needles, and beginner techniques including stockinette stitch, shaping, fair isle knitting, and chart reading. If you’d like to knit a full bikini set, there’s a matching bikini bottom pattern available in the Etsy shop, too.
Recommended Materials
To knit this pattern, you will need the following materials:| Needle Size | US Size 5/3.75mm Circular Needles |
|---|---|
| Yarn Weight | DK Weight |
| Yarn Quantity | N/A – See Pattern |
What Is the Easiest Way to Knit a Bralette Top?
You can knit a bralette with all of the techniques you’ll have learned as a beginner knitter. Most bralette knitting patterns use ribbing for the band of the bra, a basic stockinette stitch pattern for the body, and an i-cord for the straps.
However, like mitten knitting patterns, the i-cord straps usually require double pointed needles, which can be difficult for beginners to master.
In most cases, you’ll use circular needles to knit the bralette’s body in the round from the top down, allowing you to adjust the length of the top to your preference. Typically, the cups are knitted separately and then seamed in at the end along with the straps.
Chunky bralette patterns usually use 4wpi yarns or heavier, but most traditional bralettes will use one or two skeins of DK weight yarn. If you plan on wearing your bralette often, we recommend adding an elastic sewing thread to the band in case your ribbing stretches and loses its shape.
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