The Lobster Tank by Diana Unraveled

The Lobster Tank

Knitting
June 2026
Sport (12 wpi) ?
22 stitches and 44 rows = 4 inches
in mosaic knit stitch
US 6 - 4.0 mm
US 2½ - 3.0 mm
1080 - 2160 yards (988 - 1975 m)
XS (S) M (L) XL (2XL) 3XL (4XL) 5XL
English
This pattern is available for $8.50 USD buy it now

Overview

  • Fit: +5-10 cm bust ease at widest point.
  • Construction: Top down; back panel, front panel, joined in the round.
  • Blocking: The sample was made using a cotton fabric and is not heavily stretched when blocked
  • For pattern support please email diana.unraveled@gmail.com
  • Difficulty 2.5/5 (1 being easy and 5 being hard)

Size Guide

PLEASE READ: The schematic sizes are calculated based on the original sample. This pattern has been found to run large width wise, meaning other knitters have had final measurements that match the calculations or are larger based on gauge and yarn variations. To address this, I have a few recommendations for ideal fit:

  • If you are in between sizes, size down.
  • Prioritize sizing base your size off the shoulder fit over bust fit Gauge must be met after blocking if you intend to block the final garment
  • If your gauge is slightly small on the recommended 4mm needles, do not size up the needles
  • Size down needles if your gauge is too large

The pattern is graded for sizes XS (S) M (L) XL (2XL) 3XL (4XL) 5XL

Your measurements:

Bust Circumference 71-76 (81-86) 91.5-96.5 (101.6-106.5) 111.5-117 (122-127) 132-137 (142-147) 152-158 cm

Shoulder width 35.5-37 (37-38) 39.5-40.5 (42-43) 44.5 (45.5) 45.5 (47) 47 cm

Finished measurements (see schematic):

A: Neck opening circumference (unstretched) 42 (45) 45 (46) 48 (51) 51 (54) 54 cm 6.5 (17.75) 17.75 (18) 19 (20) 20 (21.25) 21.25

B: Cross shoulder width (including edges) 33 (34) 36 (38) 39 (41) 41 (43) 43 cm 13 (13.5) 14.25 (15) 15.25 (16.25) 16.25 (17) 17 in

C: Bust/Body circumference 80 (89) 100 (109) 120 (130) 139 (148) 159 cm 31.5 (35) 39.25 (43) 47.25 (51.25) 54.75 (58.25) 62.5 in

D: Armhole depth 18 (18) 19 (20) 21 (22) 22 (23) 24 cm 7 (7) 7.5 (8) 8.25 (8.75) 8.75 (9) 9.5 inches

E: Under arm length (option 1 hem) 32 (32) 31 (31) 32 (33) 35 (36) 37 cm 12.5 (12.5) 12.25 (12.25) 12.5 (13) 13.75 (14.25) 14.5 in
NOTE: the smaller sizes have a slightly longer fit under the arm due to fitting the entire lobster chart

Note: Model is wearing a size medium with a cross back (shoulder to shoulder) measurement of 40cm, bust measurement of 89cm, waist measurement of 69cm.

Materials

When choosing your color yarn, look for yarns with high contrast. Yarns with low contrast will make the lobster harder to see (trust me I tried). To make sure your yarns are high contrast, take a picture of both colors and turn the photo to black and white, if the yarns look similar they are too low contrast. Color A will be the main forward color for the body (white in the sample) and color B will be the main forward color for the lobster (red in the sample) and is used for the edges.

Yarn: 2 colors Fine/Sport cotton blend
Color A (Cream in Sample): Keche Baby Cotton Yarn (40% Cotton / 40% Acrylic), 180 yd / 50g (165 m/ 50g): 150g (150g) 150g (200g) 200g (200g) 250g (250g) 300g
Color B (Red in Sample): Keche Baby Cotton Yarn (40% Cotton / 40% Acrylic), 180 yd / 50g (165 m/ 50g): 150g (150g) 150g (200g) 200g (200g) 250g (250g) 300g

4 mm needle 60cm or 80cm for flat knitting and knitting in the round
3 mm needle 40cm for neckline and edge details
Note: you can just use a needle of any length if you are comfortable with magic loop
Stitch markers (for marking the beginning of a round)
Tapestry needle (for weaving in ends)

Gauge

22 sts × 44 rows = 10 cm / 4 in in mosaic knit stitch on 4mm needles blocked if you plan on blocking the final garment, unblocked if not.

Techniques used

Long tail cast on
Backward loop cast on
M1L/M1R
ssk, k2tog
Pick up and knit stitches
Double knitting
Knit extension cast on
I-cord
grafting/Kitchener stitch