Streamline Tank
With summer in full swing, cozy knits are not exactly on my mind. Although I've already started planning and working on my fall collection (stay tuned, it's gonna be fun!), I've been wanting to do a lightweight knit for a while and my latest collab with Lion Brand was the perfect opportunity. After seeing their newest colors of Coboo I instantly scooped some up and immediately dreamed up a sort of slinky, slightly cropped, easy-to-wear tank. Introducing the Streamline Tank! Scroll down for the free pattern, purchase the printable, ad-fee PDF here, or shop the kit from Lion Brand here (and snag it 40% off the first week with code SAVE40AUG!)
Coboo yarn is one of my favorites for warm weather knits - it's cooling and SO soft and has the most beautiful drape due to the 50% bamboo fiber content. After I used it for my Sunset Ringer Tee that's part of my Retro Summer Collection I released earlier this year, I knew I needed to use it again ASAP. There are also lots of lovely color options, and I'm excited to see this tank get worked up in allllll of them!
Living in NYC gives me no lack of inspiration and ideas for patterns, and this time it was the city itself that inspired the design. Look no further than the Empire State Building, Chrysler Building, and many others dotted throughout the city for some of the most striking Art Deco facades. It was these lines that gave me the idea to add detailing in a half fisherman's rib along the center and sides for that "streamlined" look. The lines at the center resemble the buildings in the city, only turned upside down like a reflection in a body of water.
Although this tank is seemingly simple in shape and structure, I actually put an enormous amount of energy into it, knitting and re-knitting the details until it was perfect. There were a lot of behind the scenes hair-pulling moments trying to work out how to create the detail lines the way I wanted them, and I'm so happy with how they turned out. Sometimes it's the most simple looking things that create the most headaches for designers! I even went the extra mile on this one and hired a tech editor to help me grade it into EIGHT SIZES! This was an added cost and time commitment, but I'm so thrilled with this piece that I wanted it to be as accessible as possible. I have no doubt that once you make your first one, you will immediately need it in more colors.
This is an easy level knitting pattern and the techniques involved are the knit and purl stitches, K1B (knit 1 below), SSK and K2tog decreases, SSP and P2tog decreases, m1l (make 1 left) and m1r (make 1 right) increases, and a CSD (centered single decrease). I promise it's much easier than all of that sounds!
MATERIALS:
2 (2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 3) skeins Lion Brand Yarn Coboo in Mauve (835-145)
Size US 7 (4.5mm) straight knitting needles
Stitch holder
Stitch markers
Tapestry needle
FINISHED SIZE:
Sizes: XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL)
Width: 17 (19, 20.75, 23, 24.75, 27, 28.75, 31)” / 43 (48.5, 52.5, 58.5, 63, 68.5, 73, 78.5) cm
Full Bust (after seaming): 33 (37, 40.5, 45, 48.5, 53, 56.5, 61)” / 84 (94, 103, 114.5, 123, 134.5, 143.5, 155) cm
Length: 19.25 (19.75, 19.75, 20.25, 20.75, 21.25, 21.5, 22)” / 49 (50, 50, 51.5, 52.5, 54, 54.5, 56) cm
*Tank top pictured in size S modeled with 4”/10cm of positive ease
GAUGE:
18 sts + 26 rows = 4”/10cm in stockinette
ABBREVIATIONS:
*All Two of Wands patterns are written in standard US terms
AH dec – armhole decrease
CO – cast on
CSD – centered single decrease
K – knit
K1B – knit 1 below
K2tog – knit 2 together
M1l – make one left
M1r – make one right
Neck dec – Neck decrease
P – purl
P2tog – purl 2 together
Rep – repeat
RS – right side
Sl – slip
SSK – slip, slip, knit
SSP – slip, slip, purl
St(s) – stitch(es)
WS – wrong side
Wyib – with yarn in back
Wyif – with yarn in front
STITCH EXPLANATION:
Centered Single Decrease (CSD) – Separately slip 2 stitches knitwise, then slip the stitches back to the left needle and knit them together through the back loops. Insert the left needle into the second of the two stitches just knit together to lift it up, then insert the right needle into the first unworked stitch as well as this picked up stitch on the left needle and knit them together.
Note: Tank is worked flat in two identical pieces from the bottom up. All sts are slipped purlwise. Pattern is written for 8 sizes: XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL).
Make 2:
CO 69 (77, 85, 95, 103, 113, 121, 131).
Row 1 (WS): Sl 1 wyif, *K 1, P 1, rep from * to end of row.
Row 2 (RS): Sl 1 wyib, *P 1, K1B, rep from * to last 2 sts, P 1, K 1.
Rows 3-8: Rep rows 1 and 2, three more times.
Row 9: Sl 1 wyif, (K 1, P 1) twice, K 1, P to last 6 sts, (K 1, P 1) three times.
Row 10: Sl 1 wyib, (P 1, K1B) twice, P 1, m1r, K to last 6 sts, m1l, (P 1, K1B) twice, P 1, K 1. [71 (79, 87, 97, 105, 115, 123, 133) sts]
Note: Rows 9 & 10 establish 6 sts at each edge. Maintain sts in this way throughout remainder of piece.
Rows 11-16: Rep rows 9 and 10, three more times. [77 (85, 93, 103, 111, 121, 129, 139) sts]
Row 17: 6 edge sts, P to last 6 sts, 6 edge sts.
Row 18: 6 edge sts, K to last 6 sts, 6 edge sts.
Rows 19-40 (or until work measures 6”/15cm from CO edge, ending with RS row): Rep rows 17 and 18.
Note: To increase or decrease length of tank top, work less or more of these last two rows. Any increase in length will result in more yarn needed for the project.
Row 41 (WS): 6 edge sts, P 30 (34, 38, 43, 47, 52, 56, 61), (K 1, P 1) twice, K 1, P to last 6 sts, 6 edge sts.
Row 42: 6 edge sts, K 30 (34, 38, 43, 47, 52, 56, 61), (P 1, K1B) twice, P 1, K to last 6 sts, 6 edge sts.
Rows 43-50: Rep rows 41 and 42, four more times.
Row 51: 6 edge sts, P 28 (32, 36, 41, 45, 50, 54, 59), (K 1, P 1) 4 times, K 1, P to last 6 sts, 6 edge sts.
Row 52: 6 edge sts, K 28 (32, 36, 41, 45, 50, 54, 59), (P 1, K1B) 4 times, P 1, K to last 6 sts, 6 edge sts.
Rows 53-60: Rep rows 51 and 52, four more times.
Row 61: 6 edge sts, P 26 (30, 34, 39, 43, 48, 52, 57), place marker, (K 1, P 1) 6 times, K 1, place marker, P to last 6 sts, 6 edge sts.
Note: Slip markers as you come to them throughout remainder of piece.
Row 62: 6 edge sts, K to marker, (P 1, K1B) 6 times, P 1, K to last 6 sts, 6 edge sts.
Row 63: 6 edge sts, P to marker, (K1, P1) 6 times, K1, P to last 6 sts, 6 edge sts.
Rows 64-71: Rep rows 62 and 63, four more times.
Begin armhole shaping:
Note: Row numbers will now restart for simplicity. Note that odd rows are now RS rows and even rows are now WS rows
XS (S) Sizes Only:
Row 1 (RS): 6 edge sts, SSK, K to marker, (P 1, K1B) 6 times, P 1, K to last 8 sts, K2tog, 6 edge sts. [75 (83) sts]
Row 2 (WS): 6 edge sts, P to marker, (K 1, P 1) 6 times, K 1, P to last 6 sts, 6 edge sts.
Rows 3-6 (8): Rep rows 1 and 2, two (three) more times. [71 (77) sts]
M (L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL) Sizes Only:
Row 1 (RS): 6 edge sts, SSK, K to marker, (P 1, K1B) 6 times, P 1, K to last 8 sts, K2tog, 6 edge sts. [91 (101, 109, 119, 127, 137) sts]
Row 2 (WS): 6 edge sts, P2tog, P to marker, (K 1, P 1) 6 times, K 1, P to last 8 sts, SSP, 6 edge sts. [89 (99, 107, 117, 125, 135) sts]
Rows 3-8 (10, 10, 12, 12, 14): Rep rows 1 and 2, three (four, four, five, five, six) more times. [77 (83, 91, 97, 105, 111) sts]
All Sizes:
Next row (RS): 6 edge sts, SSK, K to 2 sts before marker, K2tog, (P 1, K1B) twice, P 1, CSD, (P 1, K1B) twice, P 1, SSK, K to last 8 sts, K2tog, 6 edge sts. [66 (72, 72, 78, 86, 92, 100, 106) sts]
Separate Work for Right Strap:
Note: Row numbers will now restart for simplicity. Note that odd rows are now WS rows and even rows are now RS rows
Row 1 (WS): 6 edge sts, P to marker, (K 1, P 1) twice, K 1, place next st on a cable or spare needle and hold to the front of the work, P 1, place st from cable/spare needle back on left needle, turn, place remaining unworked sts (including the one just slipped) onto a holder. Only the sts on the needles will now be worked back and forth to form the right strap. [33 (36, 36, 39, 43, 46, 50, 53) sts on needles]
XS Size Only:
Row 2 (RS): 6 edge sts, SSK (neck dec), K to last 8 sts, K2tog (AH dec), 6 edge sts. (31 sts)
Rows 3: 6 edge sts, P to last 6 sts, 6 edge sts.
Rows 4-17: Rep rows 2 and 3, seven more times. (17 sts)
Row 18: 6 edge sts, SSK (neck dec), K to last 6 sts, 6 edge sts. (16 sts)
Row 19: Rep row 3.
S (M) Sizes Only:
Row 2 (RS): 6 edge sts, SSK (neck dec), K to last 8 sts, K2tog (AH dec), 6 edge sts. (34 sts)
Row 3: 6 edge sts, P to last 6 sts, 6 edge sts.
Rows 4-21: Rep rows 2 and 3, nine more times. (16 sts)
L Size Only:
Row 2 (RS): 6 edge sts, SSK (neck dec), K to last 8 sts, K2tog (AH dec), 6 edge sts. (37 sts)
Row 3: 6 edge sts, P to last 8 sts, SSP (neck dec), 6 edge sts. (36 sts)
Row 4: Rep row 2. (34 sts)
Row 5: 6 edge sts, P to last 6 sts, 6 edge sts.
Rows 6-23: Rep rows 4 and 5, nine more times. (16 sts)
XL Size Only:
Row 2 (RS): 6 edge sts, SSK (neck dec), K to last 8 sts, K2tog (AH dec), 6 edge sts. (41 sts)
Row 3: 6 edge sts, P2tog (AH dec), P to last 6 sts, 6 edge sts. (40 sts)
Rows 4-7: Rep rows 2 and 3, two more times. (34 sts)
Row 8: Rep row 2. (32 sts)
Row 9: 6 edge sts, P to last 6 sts, 6 edge sts.
Rows 10-25: Rep rows 8 and 9, eight more times. (16 sts)
2XL Size Only:
Row 2 (RS): 6 edge sts, SSK (neck dec), K to last 8 sts, K2tog (AH dec), 6 edge sts. (44 sts)
Row 3: 6 edge sts, P2tog (AH dec), P to last 8 sts, SSP (neck dec) 6 edge sts. (42 sts)
Row 4: Rep row 2. (40 sts)
Row 5: 6 edge sts, P2tog (AH dec), P to last 6 sts, 6 edge sts. (39 sts)
Rows 6 and 7: Rep rows 4 and 5, one more time. (36 sts)
Row 8: Rep row 2. (34 sts)
Row 9: 6 edge sts, P to last 6 sts, 6 edge sts.
Rows 10-27: Rep rows 8 and 9, nine more times. (16 sts)
3XL Size Only:
Row 2 (RS): 6 edge sts, SSK (neck dec), K to last 8 sts, K2tog (AH dec), 6 edge sts. (48 sts)
Row 3: 6 edge sts, P2tog (AH dec), P to last 6 sts, 6 edge sts. (47 sts)
Rows 4-13: Rep rows 2 and 3, five more times. (32 sts)
Row 14: Rep row 2. (30 sts)
Row 15: 6 edge sts, P to last 6 sts, 6 edge sts.
Rows 16-29: Rep rows 14 and 15, seven more times. (16 sts)
4XL Size Only:
Row 2 (RS): 6 edge sts, SSK (neck dec), K to last 8 sts, K2tog (AH dec), 6 edge sts. (51 sts)
Row 3: 6 edge sts, P2tog (AH dec), P to last 8 sts, SSP (neck dec) 6 edge sts. (49 sts)
Row 4: Rep row 2. (47 sts)
Row 5: 6 edge sts, P2tog (AH dec), P to last 6 sts, 6 edge sts. (46 sts)
Rows 6-17: Rep rows 4 and 5, six more times. (28 sts)
Row 18: Rep row 2. (26 sts)
Row 19: 6 edge sts, P to last 6 sts, 6 edge sts.
Rows 20-29: Rep rows 18 and 19, five more times. (16 sts)
All Sizes:
Row 20 (22, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 30) (RS): Sl 1 wyib, (P 1, K1B) twice, P 1, SSK, K2tog, (P 1, K1B) twice, P 1, K 1. (14 sts)
Row 21 (23, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 31): Sl 1 wyif, (K 1, P 1) twice, K 1, P 2, (K 1, P 1) three times.
Row 22 (24, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 32): Sl 1 wyib, (P 1, K1B) twice, P 1, SSK, (P 1, K1B) twice, P 1, K 1. (13 sts)
Next row: Sl 1 wyif, *K 1, P 1, rep from * to end of row.
Next row: Sl 1 wyib, *P 1, K1B, rep from * to last 2 sts, P 1, K 1.
Rep last 2 rows until even part of strap section (these last 2 rows) measure 3”/8cm.
Note: To increase or decrease length of straps, work less or more of these last two rows. Any increase in length will result in more yarn needed for the project.
Bind off.
Left Strap:
Note: Row numbers will now restart for simplicity. Note that odd rows are now WS rows and even rows are now RS rows
Place sts from holder back on needles. Rejoin yarn at v-neck edge to begin a WS row.
Row 1 (WS): Sl 1 wyif, (K 1, P 1) twice, K 1, P to last 6 sts, (K 1, P 1) three times.
XS Size Only:
Row 2 (RS): 6 edge sts, SSK (AH dec), K to last 8 sts, K2tog (neck dec), 6 edge sts. (31 sts)
Rows 3: 6 edge sts, P to last 6 sts, 6 edge sts.
Rows 4-17: Rep rows 2 and 3, seven more times. (17 sts)
Row 18: 6 edge sts, K to last 8 sts, k2tog (neck dec), 6 edge sts. (16 sts)
Row 19: Rep row 3.
S (M) Sizes Only:
Row 2 (RS): 6 edge sts, SSK (AH dec), K to last 8 sts, K2tog (neck dec), 6 edge sts. (34 sts)
Row 3: 6 edge sts, P to last 6 sts, 6 edge sts.
Rows 4-21: Rep rows 2 and 3, nine more times. (16 sts)
L Size Only:
Row 2 (RS): 6 edge sts, SSK (AH dec), K to last 8 sts, K2tog2 (neck dec), 6 edge sts. (37 sts)
Row 3: 6 edge sts, P2tog, P to last 6 sts, 6 edge sts. (36 sts)
Row 4: Rep row 2. (34 sts)
Row 5: 6 edge sts, P to last 6 sts, 6 edge sts.
Rows 6-23: Rep rows 4 and 5, nine more times. (16 sts)
XL Size Only:
Row 2 (RS): 6 edge sts, SSK (AH dec), K to last 8 sts, K2tog (neck dec), 6 edge sts. (41 sts)
Row 3: 6 edge sts, P to last 8 sts, SSP (AH dec), 6 edge sts. (40 sts)
Rows 4-7: Rep rows 2 and 3, two more times. (34 sts)
Row 8: Rep row 2. (32 sts)
Row 9: 6 edge sts, P to last 6 sts, 6 edge sts.
Rows 10-25: Rep rows 8 and 9, eight more times. (16 sts)
2XL Size Only:
Row 2 (RS): 6 edge sts, SSK (AH dec), K to last 8 sts, K2tog (neck dec), 6 edge sts. (44 sts)
Row 3: 6 edge sts, P2tog (neck dec), P to last 8 sts, SSP (AH dec) 6 edge sts. (42 sts)
Row 4: Rep row 2. (40 sts)
Row 5: 6 edge sts, P to last 8 sts, SSP (AH dec), 6 edge sts. (39 sts)
Rows 6 and 7: Rep rows 4 and 5, one more time. (36 sts)
Row 8: Rep row 2. (34 sts)
Row 9: 6 edge sts, P to last 6 sts, 6 edge sts.
Rows 10-27: Rep rows 8 and 9, nine more times. (16 sts)
3XL Size Only:
Row 2 (RS): 6 edge sts, SSK (AH dec), K to last 8 sts, K2tog (neck dec), 6 edge sts. (48 sts)
Row 3: 6 edge sts, P to last 8 sts, SSP (AH dec), 6 edge sts. (47 sts)
Rows 4-13: Rep rows 2 and 3, five more times. (32 sts)
Row 14: Rep row 2. (30 sts)
Row 15: 6 edge sts, P to last 6 sts, 6 edge sts.
Rows 16-29: Rep rows 14 and 15, seven more times. (16 sts)
4XL Size Only:
Row 2 (RS): 6 edge sts, SSK (AH dec), K to last 8 sts, K2tog (neck dec), 6 edge sts. (51 sts)
Row 3: 6 edge sts, P2tog (neck dec), P to last 8 sts, SSP (AH dec) 6 edge sts. (49 sts)
Row 4: Rep row 2. (47 sts)
Row 5: 6 edge sts, P to last 8 sts, SSP (AH dec), 6 edge sts. (46 sts)
Rows 6-17: Rep rows 4 and 5, six more times. (28 sts)
Row 18: Rep row 2. (26 sts)
Row 19: 6 edge sts, P to last 6 sts, 6 edge sts.
Rows 20-29: Rep rows 18 and 19, five more times. (16 sts)
All Sizes:
Row 20 (22, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 30) (RS): Sl 1 wyib, (P 1, K1B) twice, P 1, SSK, K2tog, (P 1, K1B) twice, P 1, K 1. (14 sts)
Row 21 (23, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 31): Sl 1 wyif, (K 1, P 1) twice, K 1, P 2, (K 1, P 1) 3 times.
Row 22 (24, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 32): Sl 1 wyib, (P 1, K1B) twice, P 1, K2tog, (P 1, K1B) twice, P 1, K 1. (13 sts)
Next row: Sl 1 wyif, *K 1, P 1, rep from * to end of row.
Next row: Sl 1 wyib, *P 1, K1B, rep from * to last 2 sts, P 1, K 1.
Rep last 2 rows until even part of strap section (these last 2 rows) measure 3”/8cm.
Note: To increase or decrease length of straps, work less or more of these last two rows. Any increase in length will result in more yarn needed for the project.
Bind off.
Construction:
Seam shoulders.
Seam sides from the first armhole shaping row down to the last increase row, leaving a slit at the bottom hem.
Secure and weave in all ends.
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