Tank Top Knitting Pattern – This tank top will become a year-round wardrobe essential. Feminine details and a relaxed fit make it effortlessly stylish. Wear it with a skirt or shorts in the summer, a jacket in the fall, or beneath your favorite toasty cardigan for a nice layered knit look in the winter.
This tank top will be worked in one piece, beginning at the front hemline and moving up the body, then separating to work the bust and strap on either side, and then uniting to work down the back. When you complete, the sides will be seamed.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Materials:
- 2, (2, 3), [3, 3, 4], (4, 4) balls / 464, (464, 696), [696, 696, 928], (928, 928) yards of Lion Brand Coboo
- Yarn (shown in Taupe)
- Size 5 US (24” or larger) circular needles Stitch holders or scrap yarn
- Stitch Markers
- Tapestry needle to weave in ends
Gauge:
- 22 stitches and 32 rows = 4 inches in (k5, p1) rib stitch
Dimensions:
- XXS, (XS, S), [M, L, XL], (2X, 3X)
- Finished Bust/Chest Circumference: 24.75, (29, 33.5), [37.75, 42.25, 46.5], (51, 55.25)”
- Finished Length: 22.5, (23, 24), [24.75, 25.5, 26.25], (27, 27.5)”
- Armhole Opening When Laying Flat: 8.5, (8.5, 9), [9.5, 10, 10.5], (11, 11.5)”
Pattern is written for smallest size with changes for larger sizes in parenthesis. When only one number is given, it applies to all sizes. To keep track of your size, you may highlight or circle all numbers for your chosen size before you begin.
Notes:
Help Choosing Size: Model is 6’ tall with a 33” bust, 36” hips, and is pictured wearing a size small with
.5” of negative ease. This tank top is designed to have a snug fit around your bust. For best fit, choose a size that gives you 0-4” of negative ease around your bust.
For example, if your bust measurement is 44 inches, you would wear a size Large. If you prefer to have your tank tops with a more relaxed fit, choose a size that gives you 0-4” of positive ease around your bust. For example, a bust size of 35 looking for a relaxed/loose fit would wear a size Medium. Throughout the pattern, I will point out places where you can adjust the length of sections to your liking.
Construction Notes: This tank top will be worked in one piece starting at the front hemline, working up the body, separating to work the bust and strap on either side, and joining together to work down the back. Sides will be seamed when you are finished.
Abbreviations:
- Beg = beginning
- BO = bind off
- CO = cast on
- k = knit
- k2tog = knit 2 together
- M1R = make one right. Pick up the bar between the stitch you just knit and the one you are about to knit with your left needle from back to front, knit through the front.
- M1RP = make one right purl (an increase worked on the WS that looks like a M1R when seen from the RS). With your working yarn in front, pick up the bar between the stitch you just knit and the one you are about to knit with your left needle from the back to the front, purl through the front.
- M1L = make one left. Pick up the bar between the stitch you just knit and the one you are about to knit with your left needle from front to back, knit through the back.
- M1LP = make one left purl (an increase worked on the WS that looks like a M1R when seen from the RS). With your working yarn in front, pick up the bar between the stitch you just knit and the one you are about to knit with your left needle from the front to the back, purl through the back.
- p = purl
- psso = pass slipped stitch over. Before this direction you will have just slipped one stitch, then knit one stitch. To work the psso, lift the slipped stitch up over the knit stitch almost as if to bind off one stitch.
- p2tog = purl 2 together
- sl1 = slip one stitch purl-wise
- sl1 k-wise = slip one stitch as if to knit.
- sl1 p-wise tbl = slip one stitch purl-wise through the back loop.
- ssk = slip slip knit. Slip the next two stitches one at a time as if to knit. Insert the left needle into the front of these stitches and knit them together. Single decrease.
- st = stitch
- sts = stitches
- stst = stockinette stitch
- Work in patt = work in pattern as established in the previous row. Knit the knit stitches and purl the purl stitches.
PATTERN INSTRUCTIONS
Cast on 67, (79, 91), [103, 115, 127], (139, 151) sts using tubular cast on.
Row 1 (RS): k1, (p1, k1) across.
2 (WS): p1, (k1, p1) across.
Repeat rows 1-2 until work measures 2” from CO edge ending with a WS row.
3: k3, p1, *k5, p1, rep from * to last 3, k3.
4: p3, k1, *p5, k1, rep from * to last 3, p3.
Repeat rows 3-4 until your work measures 14, (14.5, 15), [15.25, 15.5, 15.75], (16, 16)” from CO edge. Be sure to end with a WS row. NOTE: You may work more or less at this point to make the body of your tank top longer or shorter.
Bust Set Up
5 (XXS ONLY): Bind off 3 sts in knit, k5, p1, k5, k2tog, PM, k3, PM, ssk, k5, p1, k5, sl1, k1, psso, k4, p1, k5, k2tog, PM, k3, PM, ssk, (k5, p1) to last 3, k3. [59 sts].
5 (XS ONLY): Bind off 9 sts in knit, k5, p1, k5, k2tog, PM, k3, PM, ssk, k5, p1, k5, sl1, k1, psso, k4, p1, k5, k2tog, PM, k3, PM, ssk, (k5, p1) to last 3, k3. [65 sts].
5 (S, ONLY): Bind off 3 sts in knit, (k5, p1) 2x, k5, k2tog, PM, k3, PM, ssk, (k5, p1) 2x, k5, sl1, k1, psso, k4, p1, k5, p1, k5, k2tog, PM, k3, PM, ssk, (k5, p1) to last 3, k3. [83 sts].
5 (M ONLY): Bind off 9 sts in knit, (k5, p1) 2x, k5, k2tog, PM, k3, PM, ssk, (k5, p1) 2x, k5, sl1, k1, psso, k4, p1, k5, p1, k5, k2tog, PM, k3, PM, ssk, (k5, p1) to last 3, k3. [89 sts].
5 (L ONLY): Bind off 3 sts in knit, (k5, p1) 3x, k5, k2tog, PM, k3, PM, ssk, (k5, p1) 3x, k5, sl1, k1, psso, k4, p1, (k5, p1) 2x, k5, k2tog, PM, k3, PM, ssk, (k5, p1) to last 3, k3. [107 sts].
5 (XL ONLY): Bind off 9 sts in knit, (k5, p1) 3x, k5, k2tog, PM, k3, PM, ssk, (k5, p1) 3x, k5, sl1, k1, psso, k4, p1, (k5, p1) 2x, k5, k2tog, PM, k3, PM, ssk, (k5, p1) to last 3, k3. [113 sts].
5 (2X ONLY): Bind off 3 sts in knit, (k5, p1) 4x, k5, k2tog, PM, k3, PM, ssk, (k5, p1) 4x, k5, sl1, k1, psso, k4, p1, (k5, p1) 3x, k5, k2tog, PM, k3, PM, ssk, (k5, p1) to last 3, k3. [131 sts].
5 (3X ONLY): Bind off 9 sts in knit, (k5, p1) 4x, k5, k2tog, PM, k3, PM, ssk, (k5, p1) 4x, k5, sl1, k1, psso, k4, p1, (k5, p1) 3x, k5, k2tog, PM, k3, PM, ssk, (k5, p1) to last 3, k3. [137 sts].
To work the right bust, you will work flat over half of the front stitches.
6: bind off 3, (9, 3), [9, 3, 9], (3, 9), sts in purl, (p5, k1) to 6 before M, p6, SM, p3, SM, p6, (k1, p5) 1, (1, 2), [2, 3, 3], (4, 4) times. This is now the end of your row. Turn your work to begin working row 7. [28, (28, 40), [40, 52, 52], (64, 64) sts will now be worked for right bust].
Right Bust
7 (XXS, XS ONLY): sl1 k-wise, k4, p1, k4, k2tog, SM, k3, SM, ssk, k4, p1, k4, ssk. [25 sts].
7 (S, M ONLY): sl1 k-wise, k4, p1, k5, p1, k4, k2tog, SM, k3, SM, ssk, k4, p1, k5, p1, k4, ssk. [37 sts].
7 (L, XL ONLY): sl1 k-wise, k4, (p1, k5) 2x, p1, k4, k2tog, SM, k3, SM, ssk, k4, (p1, k5) 2x, p1, k4, ssk. [49 sts].
7 (2X, 3X ONLY): sl1 k-wise, k4, (p1, k5) 3x, p1, k4, k2tog, SM, k3, SM, ssk, k4, (p1, k5) 3x, p1, k4, ssk. [61 sts].
8: sl1 p-wise tbl, work in patt to end of row.
9: sl1 k-wise, work in patt until 2 before M, k2tog, SM, k3, SM, ssk, work in patt to end of row. [23, (23, 35), [35, 47, 47], (59, 59) sts].
10: sl1 p-wise tbl, work in patt to end of row.
11: sl1 k-wise, work in patt until 2 before M, k2tog, SM, k3, SM, ssk, work in patt to end of row. [21, (21, 33), [33, 45, 45], (57, 57) sts].
12: sl1 p-wise tbl, work in patt to end of row.
Repeat rows 11-12, decreasing 2 sts every RS row as established until 7 sts remain. Then, continue on to work the shoulder straps as follows:
13: sl1 k-wise, k across.
14: sl1 p-wise tbl, p across.
Repeat rows 13-14 until piece measures 15.5, (15.5, 16), [17, 17.5, 18.5], (19, 20)” from beginning of underarm decreases/bust set up row ending with a RS (odd numbered) row. NOTE: You may add more or less length at this point to make your straps longer or shorter.
Back Increases:
15: sl1 p-wise tbl, p2, k1, p3. (All sizes: 7 sts).
16: sl1 k-wise, k2, MIL, p1, M1R, k3. (All sizes: 9 sts).
17: sl1 p-wise tbl, p2, M1RP, p1, k1, p1, M1LP, p3. (All sizes: 11 sts).
18: sl1 k-wise, k2, M1L, k2, p1, k2, M1R, k3. (All sizes: 13 sts).
19: sl1 p-wise tbl, p2, M1RP, p3, k1, p3, M1LP, p3. (All sizes: 15 sts).
20: sl1 k-wise, k2, M1L, k4, p1, k4, M1R, k3. (All sizes: 17 sts).
21: sl1 p-wise tbl, p2, M1R, p5, k1, p5, M1L, p3. (All sizes: 19 sts).
22: sl1 k-wise, k2, M1L, (p1, k5) 2x, p1, M1R, k3. (All sizes: 21 sts).
23: sl1 p-wise tbl, p2, M1RP, p1, (k1, p5), 2x, k1, p1, M1LP, p3. (All sizes: 23 sts).
24: sl1 k-wise, k2, M1L, k2, (p1, k5) 2x, p1, k2, M1R, k3. (All sizes: 25 sts).
Sizes XXS and XS, stop here. Place stitches increased for back onto stitch holder and begin working sts set aside for left front. All other sizes, continue onto row 25.
25: sl1 p-wise tbl, p2, M1RP, p3, (k1, p5) 2x, k1, p3, M1LP, p3. [27 sts].
26: sl1 k-wise, k2, M1L, k4, (p1, k5) 2x, p1, k4, M1R, k3. [29 sts].
27: sl1 p-wise tbl, p2, M1R, (p5, k1) 3x, p5, M1L, p3. [31 sts].
28: sl1 k-wise, k2, M1L, (p1, k5) 4x, p1, M1R, k3. [33 sts].
29: sl1 p-wise tbl, p2, M1RP, p1, (k1, p5) 4x, k1, p1, M1LP, p3. [35 sts].
30: sl1 k-wise, k2, M1L, k2, (p1, k5) 4x, p1, k2, M1R, k3. [37 sts].
Sizes S and M, stop here. Place stitches increased for back onto stitch holder and begin working sts set aside for left front. Sizes L and up, continue onto row 31.
31: sl1 p-wise tbl, p2, M1RP, p3, (k1, p5) 4x, k1, p3, M1LP, p3. [39 sts].
32: sl1 k-wise, k2, M1L, k4, (p1, k5) 4x, p1, k4, M1R, k3. [41 sts].
33: sl1 p-wise tbl, p2, M1R, (p5, k1) 5x, p5, M1L, p3. [43 sts].
34: sl1 k-wise, k2, M1L, (p1, k5) 6x, p1, M1R, k3. [45 sts].
35: sl1 p-wise tbl, p2, M1RP, p1, (k1, p5) 6x, k1, p1, M1LP, p3. [47 sts].
36: sl1 k-wise, k2, M1L, k2, (p1, k5) 6x, p1, k2, M1R, k3. [49 sts].
Sizes L and XL, stop here. Place stitches increased for back onto stitch holder and begin working sts set aside for left front. Sizes 2X and 3X, continue onto row 37.
37: sl1 p-wise tbl, p2, M1RP, p3, (k1, p5) 6x, k1, p3, M1LP, p3. [51 sts].
38: sl1 k-wise, k2, M1L, k4, (p1, k5) 6x, p1, k4, M1R, k3. [53 sts].
39: sl1 p-wise tbl, p2, M1R, (p5, k1) 7x, p5, M1L, p3. [55 sts].
40: sl1 k-wise, k2, M1L, (p1, k5) 8x, p1, M1R, k3. [57 sts].
41: sl1 p-wise tbl, p2, M1RP, p1, (k1, p5) 8x, k1, p1, M1LP, p3. [59 sts].
42: sl1 k-wise, k2, M1L, k2, (p1, k5) 8x, p1, k2, M1R, k3. [61 sts].
Sizes 2X and 3X, stop here. Place stitches increased for back onto stitch holder and begin working sts set aside for left front.
Left Front
Beginning at the center of the front, set up to work the left bust as follows:
Row 6 (XXS, XS ONLY): sl1 p-wise tbl, p4, k1, p6, SM, p3, SM, p6, k1, p4, p2tog. [27 sts].
6 (S, M, L, XL, 2X, 3X ONLY): sl1 p-wise tbl, p4, k1, (p5, k1) to 6 before M, p6, SM, p3, SM, p6, k1, (p5, k1) to last 6, p4, p2tog. [n/a, (n/a, 39), [39, 51, 51], (63, 63) sts].
7 (XXS, XS ONLY): sl1 k-wise, k4, p1, k4, k2tog, SM, k3, SM, ssk, k4, p1, k5. [25 sts].
7 (S, M ONLY): sl1 k-wise, k4, p1, k5, p1, k4, k2tog, SM, k3, SM, ssk, k4, (p1, k5) to end of row. [37 sts].
7 (L, XL ONLY): sl1 k-wise, k4, (p1, k5) 2x, p1, k4, k2tog, SM, k3, SM, ssk, k4, (p1, k5) to end of row. [49 sts].
7 (2X, 3X ONLY): sl1 k-wise, k4, (p1, k5) 3x, p1, k4, k2tog, SM, k3, SM, ssk, k4, (p1, k5) to end of row. [61 sts].
Repeat rows 8-14 as done for right bust. Repeat rows 13-14 to create a second shoulder strap as done for the right side.
Left Back
Follow back increases once more for your given size. Once your back increases are completed, you should have two back pieces with 25, (25, 37), [37, 49, 49], (61, 61) sts for each. We will combine these two pieces into one row.
Back Join
Paying extra attention not to twist shoulder straps, arrange stitches for back pieces onto one needle with the WS facing, beginning with the right front. We will now work these two pieces as one row to join.
1 (WS): sl1 p-wise tbl, p2, M1RP, p3, (k1, p5) until 1 st is left for the first back piece, p2tog with the final st of this back piece and the first st of the next back piece, (p5, k1) to the last 6 sts, p3, M1LP, p3. [51, (51, 75), [75, 99, 99], (123, 123) sts].
2 (RS): sl1 k-wise, k2, M1L, k4, p1, (k5, p1) to last 7, k4, M1R, k3. [53, (53, 77), [77, 101, 101], (125, 125) sts].
3: sl1 p-wise tbl, p2, M1R, p5, (k1, p5) to last 3, M1L, p3. [55, (55, 79), [79, 103, 103], (127, 127) sts].
4: sl1 k-wise, k2, M1L, p1, (k5, p1) to last 3, M1R, k3. [57, (57, 81), [81, 105, 105], (129, 129) sts].
5: sl1 p-wise tbl, p2, M1RP, p1, k1, (p5, k1) to last 4, p1, M1LP, p3. [59, (59, 83), [83, 107, 107], (131, 131) sts].
6: sl1 k-wise, k2, M1L, k2, p1, (k5, p1) to last 5, k2, M1R, k3. [61, (61, 85), [85, 109, 109], (133, 133) sts].
7: cast on 4, (10, 4), [10, 4, 10], (4, 10) sts, purl 10, (16, 10), [16, 10, 16], (10, 16) sts, (k1, p5) to last st, p1. [65, (71, 89), [95, 113, 119], (137, 143) sts].
8: cast on 4, (10, 4), [10, 4, 10], (4, 10) sts, knit 10, (16, 10), [16, 10, 16], (10, 16) sts, (p1, k5) to last 10, (16, 10), [16, 10, 16], (10, 16) sts, k to end. [69, (81, 93), [105, 117, 129], (141, 153) sts].
9 (WS): p4, k1, (p5, k1) to last 4, p4.
10 (RS): k4, p1, (k5, p1) to last 4, k4.
Repeat rows 9-10 until piece measures 12, (12.5, 13), [13.25, 13.5, 13.75], (14, 14)” from the sts cast on for the underarms ending with a WS row.
NOTE: if you added more or less to the body in the front, be sure to do that here so the length of the front and the back pieces match.
11: p1, (k1, p1) across.
12: k1, (p1, k1) across.
Repeat rows 11-12 until ribbing measures just under 2”. Bind off using the Tubular Bind Off method.
Finishing
Careful not to twist shoulder straps, lay the front body piece on top of the back body piece, wrong sides facing and sew the side seams closed using mattress stitch. Leave the ribbed at the hem open to create a split hemline. Weave in all ends to secure. Block by soaking in warm water and lay flat to dry.
