How to Knit a Glorious Lace Singlet or Tank

There is something pretty darn cool about wearing a one-off creation, and knowing that you won't accidentally end up dressed like EVERYONE else. This tank has been made out of 100% cotton yarn, and will be a glorious addition to my warmer-months wardrobe.

It was inspired by this instructable here by Mobile Makerspace, for a knitted tank.... but taken to a new level. This tank has more shaping for ones.... *cough* breasts. As a member of the not-a-surfboard-club, the original tank pattern did not allow enough room, and the last thing I want is a Janet-Jackson-esque wardrobe malfunction when wandering the streets of Paris (or anywhere else, I just feel the need to let EVERYONE know I'll be wearing it in Paris in a couple of weeks time).

This is knitted in the round, using approx 300gm of cotton DK (8ply) yarn. This will fit a UK/NZ size 12-18 (given how the fabric stretches to fit) or about a general Medium to Large sizing.

You will need:

approx 300gm of cotton DK (8ply) yarn.

4mm double pointed needles (for triangles)

4mm circular needle

3m ribbon for the straps

Step 1: Making the Top Triangles

Singlet

Top of the singlet- make 2

Cast on 5 on 4mm

1 knit

2 Knit

3 K2, yrn, k2 tog, k1

4 Knit row

5 slip 1, K1 front and back, k1, k1 front and back, k1 (7)

6 knit 3, purl to last 3, knit 3

7 slip 1, K1 front and back, k3, k1 front and back, k1 (9)

8 knit 3, purl to last 3, knit 3

9 slip 1, K1 front and back, k5, k1 front and back, k1 (11)

10 knit 3, purl to last 3, knit 3

11 slip 1, k1 front and back, k4, (in this middle stitch of the row: k1 front, yarn over, knit back of stitch), k4, k1 front and back, k1

12 knit 3, purl to last 3, knit 3

13 slip 1, k1 front and back, k6, (in this middle stitch of the row: k1 front, yarn over, knit back of stitch), k6, k1 front and back, k1

14 knit 3, purl to last 3, knit 3

15 slip 1, k1 front and back, k8, (in this middle stitch of the row: k1 front, yarn over, knit back of stitch), k8, k1 front and back, k1

16 knit 3, purl to last 3, knit 3

17 slip 1, k1 front and back, k10, (in this middle stitch of the row: k1 front, yarn over, knit back of stitch), k10, k1 front and back, k1

18 knit 3, purl to last 3, knit 3

19 slip 1, k1 front and back, k12, (in this middle stitch of the row: k1 front, yarn over, knit back of stitch), k12, k1 front and back, k1

20 knit 3, purl to last 3, knit 3

21 slip 1, k1 front and back, k14, (in this middle stitch of the row: k1 front, yarn over, knit back of stitch), k14, k1 front and back, k1

22 knit 3, purl to last 3, knit 3

23 slip 1, k1 front and back, k16, (in this middle stitch of the row: k1 front, yarn over, knit back of stitch), k16, k1 front and back, k1

24 knit 3, purl to last 3, knit 3

25 slip 1, k to end

26 knit 3, purl to last 3, knit 3

27 slip 1, k to end

28 knit 3, purl to last 3, knit 3

When you have made 2 triangles, slide them together on a 4mm circular needle. Cast on 78 stitches. This creates the round for the singlet. Place stitch markers 1 stitch before the last of the triangle stitches, on the armpit side, then after 20 stitches, so that you have the sides, centre back, and markers to show where button holes will be created for the straps.

Step 2: The Middle Rib Section

The ribbing here helps to make the tank fitted around the middle, and completely un-sacklike.

Across the back section, knit a Knit 2, Purl 2 rib across the 80 stitches there.

Across the front section, just plain knit.

Complete this pattern for 8 rows.

Row 9: Rib 20 in the K2, P2 pattern, yarn over, knit 2 together, continue rib pattern to the second stitch marker along (38 stitches), yarn over, knit 2 together, continue rib pattern until reaching the marker marking the start of the front section, knit to end of rotation.

Complete 10 more rotations of the ribbed back and knitted front section.

Row 20: Knit 2, purl 2 rib across the whole rotation.

Continue this rib pattern for 24 rotations.

Now ends the centre rib section.

Step 3: The Lacey Bottom Section

This section is a repetition of 4 rows:

Row A: K2 together, yarn over, knit 2 - repeat over the whole rotation

Row B: Knit whole rotation

Row C: Knit 2, yarn over, slip stitch, knit 1, pass slip stitch over knitted stitch - repeat over the rotation.

Row D: Knit whole rotation

Complete this pattern until the tank is as long as you wish. I did this by laying the knitted one on top of my favourite orange tank to generate the length I wanted.

When the length you desire is reached, garter stitch 10 rows (knit and purl rows alternating when knitting garter stitch in the round).

Cast off.

Darn in your tails.

Step 4: The Straps

I love a cross over tank, simply as I think it is comfortable. I have used white ribbon here because blue doesn't really show very well in photographs.

Cut 2 lengths of ribbon, 1.5m each.

Fold in half. Slide the folded section through the front button hole. Thread the ribbon through and pull tight. This end of the strap is secure and unchangeable.

Now the straps can be threaded through the holes at the back to create either a cross over back or standard tank, tying the straps in the centre. You can also wear the tank as a halterneck by just tying them around the back of your neck.