Free Pattern: Silver Spring Tank

My major goal for this summer was to really embrace summer knitting (cotton! linen! tank tops! tshirts!). This knitted tank is named after the town in Maryland where I stayed while doing archival research in early June. I was pretty exhausted each evening so it also ended up being where I did most of the knitting for this piece.

I had a specific set of characteristics I was looking for in a summer tank top, namely: worsted weight cotton yarn, slightly cropped, high neck. 

This tank top knits up quickly. The yarn used here is Rowan Yarns Cotton Jeans in "Canvas." This particular yarn has been discontinued but any worsted weight cotton will do.  

I offer an ad-free printable PDF version of this pattern on Etsy for $2.99. Your purchase helps me to continue to provide free patterns to new knitters. 

Enjoyed this free pattern? Say thanks by buying me a coffee -- any support amount is appreciated!

 

Sizes: XS(S, M, L, XL)(2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL) to fit bust measurement of: 28-30(32-34, 36-38, 40-42, 44-46)(48-50, 52-54, 60-62)”

Yarn Requirements: 550-650(650-750, 700-800, 850-950,1000-1100)(1150-1250, 1300-1400,1450-1500)yds of a worsted-weight cotton yarn.

Gauge: 16 sts & 24 rows per 4x4” square in stockinette stitch

Suggested Needles: US 8 (5mm) straight needles

Construction: This top is knit in two flat pieces and seamed together at the sides until the beginning of the seed stitch hem. First stitch of each row is slipped purlwise when not on a seam (hem, armholes). The top is sized to include 0-2” of positive ease, so pick the size that best fits your bust measurement.

Abbreviations:

CO: cast on

s1pw: slip one purlwise

k2tog: knit two together

ssk: slip slip knit

BO: bind off

Skills:

-       Slipped stitches

-       Increasing and decreasing

-       3 needle bind-off

-       Mattress stitch

Pattern:

For Front: 

Hem:

CO 66(74, 78, 90, 98)(106, 114, 122, 130)

Seed Stitch:

Row 1: s1pw, *k1, p1, repeat from *, end k1

Row 2: s1pw, *p1, k1, repeat from *, end p1

Repeat rows 1 and 2 until hem measures 1.5” from cast-on edge. End on Row 2.

Main Body:

Stockinette Stitch:

Row 1: knit

Row 2: purl

Repeat these two rows until piece measures 13” (or desired length) from cast-on edge.

Shape Armholes:

Row 1: BO 2(2, 2, 2, 2)(4, 4, 6, 6) knitwise, knit to end

Row 2: BO 2(2, 2, 2, 2)(4, 4, 6, 6) purlwise, purl to end

(4(4, 4, 4, 4)(8, 8, 12, 12) stitches decreased – 62(70, 74, 86, 94)(98, 106, 110, 118) stitches on needle).

Row 3: s1pw, k1, k2tog, knit to last 4 stitches, ssk, k2

Row 4: s1pw, purl

Repeat Rows 3 and 4 0(1, 1, 7, 9)(11, 13, 15, 17) more times

(2(4, 4, 16, 20)(24, 28, 32, 36) stitches decreased – 60(66, 70, 70, 74)(74, 78, 78, 82) stitches on needle)

Knit in stockinette stitch (knit right side, purl wrong side) and maintain slipped stitch edge (s1pw each row) until piece measures 6.5(7, 7.5, 8, 8.5)(9, 9.5, 10, 10.5)” from armhole bind-off.

For neckline:

Sample shown with a high neckline. Instructions follow for both a high neckline and a lower, square neckline.

For a high neckline:

Row 1: Knit 12(14, 15, 15, 16)(16, 17, 17, 19), BO knitwise until last 12(14, 15, 15, 16)(16, 17, 17, 19) stitches, knit 12(14, 15, 15, 16)(16, 17, 17, 19).

(12(14, 15, 15, 16)(16, 17, 17, 19) stitches for each shoulder, 36(38, 40, 40, 42)(42, 44, 44, 44) stitches bound-off for neck.

Place live shoulder stitches of left and right shoulder on scrap yarn or stitch holders.

For a lower neckline:

Row 1: Knit 12(14, 15, 15, 16)(16, 17, 17, 19), join new ball of yarn, BO until last 12(14, 15, 15, 16)(16, 17, 17, 19) stitches, 12(14, 15, 15, 16)(16, 17, 17, 19) stitches. 

(12(14, 15, 15, 16)(16, 17, 17, 19) stitches for each shoulder, 36(38, 40, 40, 42)(42, 44, 44, 44) stitches bound-off for neck.

For each shoulder strap separately, 

Row 2: s1pw, purl to end.

Row 3: s1pw, knit to end.

Repeat rows 2 and 3 until straps are 1.5” long, or desire length.

Place live shoulder stitches of left and right shoulder on scrap yarn or stitch holders.

For Back:

Follow instructions as for front.

Finishing: 

With right sides facing, mattress stitch the two pieces using a vertical seam.I chose to begin seaming after the seed stitch hem.

Using three needle bind off, seam tops of shoulder straps.

Weave in ends, wet or steam block.