The Groovy Tank is your new summer staple. It’s knit in 2x2 rib bottom-up and in the round. The length of the tank can be easily customized for a bralette or full tank top fit. Increases and decreases are incorporated at the underbust to begin the bust design, and the front and back are then split to finish the front of the tank with a sweetheart neckline. Straps are knit from the front of the tank and attached to the back. Get into the groove in your new favorite top!

Sizes
1 (2, 3, 4, 5, 6) (7, 8, 9, 10) detailed below, designed to be worn with about 25% negative ease (e.g. 52 inch bust = 52” * 0.75 = 39 inch width for the finished garment). Note that the finished tank is very stretchy since it is fully in 2x2 rib, which is why so much negative ease is accounted for.

To fit bust size: 26-28 (28-30, 32-34, 36-38, 40-42, 44-46) (48-50, 52-54, 56-58, 60-62) in [66-71 (71-76, 81-86, 91-97, 102-107, 112-117) (122-127, 132-137, 142-147, 152-157) cm].

Finished bust: 18 (21, 24, 27, 30, 33) (36, 39, 42, 45) in [46, (53, 61, 69, 76, 84) (91, 99, 107, 114) cm] unstretched.

(Recommended) total length, measured from bottom of top to top of shoulder: 15.5 (16.5, 17.5, 19) (20, 21, 21.5) (23, 24, 25) in [39 (42, 44, 48) (51, 53, 55) (58, 61, 64 cm]; note this is a recommended length used for yardage estimates. The length of the design is customizable based on length of the plain ribbing before starting the bust design.

FYI: There is minimal bust shaping in this design and no bust darts due to the difficulty of incorporating additional shaping around the bust design. However, due to the 2x2 rib pattern and percentage ease accounted for in the design, the design received positive feedback from testers of different bust sizes regardless. Testers’ photos are included under the project tab for reference!

Yarn
440 (552, 695, 825) (981, 1122, 1273) (1411, 1496, 1810) yards [402 (505, 636, 755) (897, 1025, 1163) (1290, 1459, 1654) meters] of fingering weight yarn. You may need more if you are planning to make a longer length tank top, although these yardages already have an extra 10% as buffer. I recommend choosing a fiber that will provide enough elasticity for this style of top, such as a wool or wool/cotton blend.

The purple sample was knit in a size 2 and used 1 skein of Hedgehog Fibres Sock (90% wool, 10% nylon/polyamide, 437yd/400m per 100g skein) in the colorway Velvet.

The orange sample was knit in a size 1 and used 1 skein of Madelinetosh Tosh Sock (100% merino wool, 395yd/361m per 100g skein) in the colorway Saffron.

Gauge
40 sts and 48 rows to 4 in [10 cm] in 2x2 rib on US 1 [2.25 mm], unstretched and blocked.
Note: The ribbing will pull in more as more rows are worked, so you may not be able to achieve this gauge on a small swatch.
30 sts and 48 rows to 4 in [10 cm] in 2x2 rib on US 1 [2.25 mm], slightly stretched and blocked.

Needles & Notions

• US 1 [2.25 mm] circular needles for working the body, or whatever size needles are needed to achieve gauge as mentioned above. Recommended cable length will vary. I recommend choosing between 16”, 24”, 32”, or 40” needles (depending on your size and preferred method for working in the round).
• Removable stitch markers
• Tapestry needle
• Stitch holder or waste yarn to place stitches on temporarily
• (Optional) Safety pins for testing out strap placement and length

Please tag me @midsummer.knits and use the hashtag #GroovyTank to share your top on Instagram so I can see your finished object!