Tank tops are fabulously versatile; they can be worn alone or as part of a layered outfit. These knit patterns are so easy that the tanks will be knit up and ready to wear before summer starts.
Pattern #1: Lace-Strap Tank Top
Skill Level:Easy
Size: Women’s small (medium, large, extra-large). Instructions are given for smallest size with larger sizes in parentheses. When only one number is given, it applies to all sizes.
Finished Measurements:
Chest: 34 1/2 (36 1/2, 38 1/2, 40 1/2 inches)
Length: 16 (17, 18, 19) inches
Materials
- 6 (7, 8, 8) balls worsted weight yarn (92 yards/50g per ball). Include novelty yarn if desired.
- Size 10 (6mm) needles or size needed to obtain gauge
- Stitch holders/holders
Gauge
16 sts and 23 rows = 4 inches/10cm
Gauge is extremely important in clothing projects.
Pattern Stitch
Lace Pattern (has an odd number of stitches)
Row1 (RS): *K2tog, yarn over; repeat from * to last stitch, end k1.
Row2:Knit across.
Row3:K1, *yo, ssk; rep from * across.
Row4:Knit across.
Rep Rows 1-4 for pat.
Back
Cast on 69 (73, 77, 81) sts. Knit 1 row.
Border
Beg with Row1, work Rows1-4 of Lace pat.
Body
Beg with a knit row, work even in until back measures 10 1/2 (11, 11 1/2, 12) inches ending with a RS row.
Next row(WS):K9 (11, 11, 13), place marker, purl to last 9 (11, 11, 13) sts, place marker, knit to end.
Beg pat
Row1:Work Row1 of lace pat to first marker, sl marker, knit to next marker, work Row1 of lace pat over last 9 (11, 11, 13) sts.
Rows2 and 3:Work Rows2 and 3 of established lace pat on first and last stitches, working stitches between markers.
Shape armholes
Bind off 4 (6, 6, 8) sts, knit to marker, purl to next marker, knit to end, binding off last 4 (6, 6, 8) sts (5 sts outside each marker). Cut yarn.
Row1(RS):Attach yarn and work Row 1 of lace pat to marker, ssk, knit to 2 sts before next marker, k2tog, work Row 1 of lace pat to end.
Row2:Knit to marker, purl to next marker, knit to end.
Row3:Work Row 3 of lace pat to marker, ssk, knit to 2 sts before next marker, k2tog, work Row 3 of lace pat to end.
Row4:Knit to marker, purl to next marker, knit to end.
Rows5-8:Rep Rows 1-4.
Rows9-11:Rep Rows 1-3. (49, 49, 53, 53 sts)
Row12(WS):Knit across, removing markers.
Rows13-15:Work Rows 1-3 of Lace pat across all sts.
Row16(WS):K9, and place sts on holder; bind off center 31 (31, 35, 35) sts, k9.
Shoulder straps
Beg with Row1, work lace pat on last 9 sts until front measures 19 (20, 21, 22) inches. Bind off.
Work other shoulder strap same as first.
Front
Work as for back.
Assembly
Sew shoulder straps. Sew side seams.
Pattern #2: Twisted Cable Tube
Skill Level: Easy
Sizes: Woman’s small (medium, large) Instructions are given for smallest size, with larger sizes in parentheses. When only 1 number is given, it applies to all sizes.
Finished Measurements:
Chest: 30 (34, 38) inches
Length: 9 inches (excluding straps)
Materials
- 2 skeins worsted weight yarn (6 oz/330 yds/170g per skein)
- Size 8 (5mm) needles or size needed to obtain gauge
- Stitch markers
- Cable needle
- Size H/8 (5mm) crochet hook
Gauge
22 sts and 22 rows = 4 inches/10cm in Cabled Rib pat (slightly stretched)
Gauge is extremely important in clothing projects.
Special Abbreviations
Cable may be worked with cable needle (C2B) or without cable needle (Tw2B). Choose a preferred method.
- C2B (cable back): Sl next st to cn, hold in back, k1, k1 from cn.
- Tw2B (twist back): Skip next st on LH needle, knit next st, but do not drop st from needle, knit first st, drop both sts from LH needle.
Pattern Stitch
Cabled Rib (multiple of 4 sts + 2)
Rows1 and 3(WS):K2, *p2, k2; rep from * across.
Row2: P2, *C2B or Tw2B, p2; rep from * across.
Row4:P2, *k2, p2; rep from * across. Rep Rows 1-4 for pat.
Pattern Notes
This tube tank top is designed to be close fitting; ribbed fabric will stretch to fit. Choose size accordingly.
Tube is worked in 2 pieces, then seamed at sides. Straps are worked as a crochet ch and attached to back and front. Before fastening off ch for straps, try on tube and adjust length of strap as needed.
Back & Front
Make 2 alike
Cast on 82 (94, 106) sts.
Beg pat, work even until piece measures 9 inches from beg, ending with Row4 of pat. Bind off all sts in pat.
Assembly
Sew side seams.
Straps
Measure 5 (5 1/2, 6) inches from side seam toward center of back and front; place marker for strap.
Using crochet hook, attach yarn to front marker at one side; work a ch approx 11 inches long (or desired length), attach at back marker with a sl st. Rep for other strap.
Renee Blixt - Renée Blixt holds an MBA and MHRM, and is a member of various yarn Guilds. She teaches business courses, crochet, knitting, and ...
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