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by Jackie Wong

I love ribbon yarn. But except for a few scarf patterns I've come across, I rarely see good garment patterns that do ribbon yarn justice. While playing around with a few skeins that I bought for fun, I find that, in seed stitch, this wide and lightweight ribbon yarn knits up into a light stretchy textured fabric, just perfect for a spring/summer top.

It's also rare that you find yourself knitting warm-weather garments with size 11 needles. Despite using seed stitch all the way, this tank top knits up really quickly at 12 sts per 4 inches! So treat yourself or a lucky gal to this simple design that's not quite your ordinary tank.

model: Jackie Wong

SIZE
XS[S, M, L, XL, XXL] (shown in size XS)
 
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Chest: 30[32, 35, 38, 41, 44] inches
Length: 19 to 20 inches, depending on desired strap length
 

MATERIALS

Katia Ola [38% Cotton, 38% Viscose Rayon, 24% Nylon; 95yd/86m per 50g]; color: #25 Pink Lily; 3[4, 4, 5, 5, 6]skeins

16-inch or 24-inch US 11/8mm circular needle
Stitch marker
Stitch holders
Cable needle
Tapestry needle
GAUGE

12 sts/18 rows = 4 inches in seed stitch

 
PATTERN NOTES

[Knitty's list of standard abbreviations can be found here]

The ribbon yarn used for this pattern, Katia's Ola, is discontinued, but still available at some yarn stores and online stores. Crystal Palace's Deco Ribbon knits up to a very similar fabric and gauge with size 11 needles, making a great substitute. It has a wonderful selection of colors and a good value for the price, in my opinion. There are also a variety of wide ribbon yarns similar to Katia's Ola available online and in stores.
Approximate yardage for substitutions: 280[310, 360, 400, 460, 500]

Seed Stitch (Worked in the round over an even number of sts)
Round 1: [K1, p1] to end.
Round 2: [P1, k1] to end.
DIRECTIONS

Lower Body
CO 90[96, 104, 112, 120, 128] sts. Place marker and join to begin working in the round, being careful not to twist.

Work in Seed Stitch until work measures 11[11, 12, 12, 13, 13] inches.

Next Round: Work in patt as set across 48[50, 54, 60, 64, 70] sts for upper front, BO 7[9, 10, 9, 10, 11] sts for right armhole, work across 10[10, 10, 12, 12, 12] sts for first strap, BO 8[8, 10, 10, 12, 12] sts for center back, work across 10[10, 10, 12, 12, 12] sts for second strap, BO 7[ 9, 10, 9, 10, 11] sts for left armhole.
Place sts for both straps on st holders.

Upper Front
Rows 1-3: K2tog, work in patt as set to last 2 sts, k2tog.
Row 4 [WS]: Work in Seed Stitch patt as set.

For sizes L, XL, and XXL only:
Row 5 [RS]: K2tog, work in patt as set to last 2 sts, K2tog.
Row 6 [WS]: Work in Seed Stitch patt as set.

42[44, 48, 52, 56, 62] sts rem for upper front.

Divide Upper Front
Next Row [RS]: K2tog, work 17[18, 20, 22, 24, 27] sts, slip next 2 sts to right needle, place next st on cable needle, hold to back of work, slip 1 st from right needle back to left needle, slip st from cable needle back to left needle, slip other slipped st from right needle back to left needle, k2tog. Place rem sts on stitch holder for right front. (The maneuver with the cable needle helps to prevent the center front from stretching horizontally.) 19[20, 22, 24, 26, 29] sts rem on needle for left front.

Left Front
Next Row [WS]: Work in Seed Stitch patt as set.
Next Row [RS]: K2tog, work in patt as set to last 2 sts, K2tog.

Read through the entire next 2 sections carefully before proceeding. It would be very helpful to highlight the set of numbers applicable to your size.

(The sizing below is also detailed in the Shaping Charts.)

Shape neckline by decreasing 1 st at neck edge every second row 0[0, 0, 0, 1, 1] time, every fourth row 2[2, 2, 2, 3, 3] times, then every sixth row 2[3, 4, 4, 3, 4] times.

AT THE SAME TIME:
Shape armhole by decreasing 1 st at armhole edge every second row 4 [4, 4, 4, 4, 4] times, then every fourth row 4[4, 5, 5, 6, 8] times.
After all shaping is completed, 5[5, 5, 7, 7, 7] sts rem for strap.
Cont in Seed Stitch patt as set for 2 inches. Place sts on holder.

Right Front
Replace sts for Right Front on needle and rejoin yarn. Work as for Left Front, reversing shaping.

Back
Replace sts for first strap on needle and rejoin yarn.
Row 1 [RS]: K2tog, work in Seed Stitch patt as set to last 2 sts, k2tog.
Rows 2, 3 & 5: K2 tog, work in patt as set to end.
Row 4 [WS]: Work in Seed Stitch patt as set. 5[5, 5, 7, 7, 7] sts rem.
Cont in patt as set until strap is desired length -- the strap should reach to the top of the opposite front piece. Try pinning and trying on the tank to test strap length. Be aware that some stretching will occur with wear, and make the straps about 1 inch shorter than full desired length. Place sts on hold.
Work second strap to match, reversing shaping.
 
FINISHING


 

Attach left back strap to upper right front using three-needle BO. Attach right back strap to upper left front in the same way.

Weave in ends.

 
ABOUT THE DESIGNER

Jackie likes to make things... pretty things, useful things, sometimes not so useful things. žDespite all her other crafts and hobbies, knitting still gets its share of attention during her commutes and plane flights.

Pattern & images © 2005 Jackie Wong. Contact Jackie