Since I designed this pattern, it’s become a firm favourite with knitters. It’s easy to knit, easy to wear, and (most importantly) a joy to make. That’s always my aim – simple knits that feel good when they’re on the needles and even better when they’re finished.

This V neck tank top is part of my family of simple designs inspired by vintage patterns, but without all the kerfuffle of traditional shaping. It’s unisex and designed to suit all body types – male or female. We’re all unique, with curves in different places, so I use stitch techniques to create shape that works with your body. It’s a gentle kind of magic, and you’ll find the same technique in patterns like the Dorothy Jumper, Devon Jumper and Dakota Cardigan.

You’ll see two versions in the photos – the longer version and a shorter one. Pick the one that suits your style, or try both!

CONSTRUCTION
The back and front are knitted flat from the bottom up in separate pieces and joined together. The neck and armhole edges are picked up and knitted.

TECHNIQUES USED
Cast on, knit, purl, decreasing at neck and armhole shapings, picking up stitches, cast off, joining seams. Optional but recommended to create a joy of joining your pieces: mattress stitch and three needle cast off.

YARN
3(3:3:4:4) 100g hanks of WYS The Croft Shetland Tweed DK for short version.
3(3:4:4:5) 100g hanks of WYS The Croft Shetland Tweed DK for long version.
100% Shetland wool, 225m/246yds per 100g

SUGGESTED KNITTING NEEDLES
3.75mm and 4mm.

GAUGE (tension)
21 stitches and 28 rows to 10cm/4ins square over pattern. I obtained this gauge with 4mm needles.
It is important to obtain the correct gauge so do work a swatch before you start the pattern and change your needle size to achieve the correct gauge if you need to.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
I recommend a positive ease of ½-3in(s)/1.5-7cm at the chest

Size
1, (2, 3, 4, 5)

Chest circumference
85, (92, 103, 114, 125)cm
33¼, (36¼, 40½, 45, 49¼)ins

Length (short version) (from top of shoulder to cast on edge)
49, (50, 54, 56, 59)cm
19¼, (19¾, 21¼, 22, 23¼)ins

Length (long version) (from top of shoulder to cast on edge)
56, (58, 62, 64, 67)cm
22, (23, 24¼, 25¼, 26½)ins

NEED HELP?
I am here for you! Pop into the Skipton studio, send an email, or check out the Purl &Jane YouTube channel for tips, inspiration and guidance including handy resources like gauge (tension) guides and how to tutorials.