Say hello to Total Sweetheart, the tank top that’s equal parts cute, flirty, and endlessly versatile. Taking its cues from corsets and bodices, but reimagined in a soft, wearable knit, you’ll get that lingerie-inspired look while staying comfy and cozy . With a sweetheart neckline edged in picot and bust darts to sculpt your bodice, this design will flatter your figure and put the spotlight on your curves in the sweetest way. Whether you wear it as a bralette-inspired crop top or a versatile tank, Total Sweetheart is here to bring a touch of flirtation and charm into your everyday wardrobe.

Knit it your way: showcase the elegant 3x1 traveling rib pattern that accentuates your physique, or go for sleek stockinette with princess lines for a more classic vibe. You can even choose which side of the fabric faces out because sometimes a gal needs to keep her options open.

Machine Requirements:

This design can be made on either a mid-gauge like an LK150 (6.5mm) or standard gauge (4.5mm) flat bed knitting machine. I used T2.5 on my LK150 and T9 on my SK840 to get the gauge listed. As long as you can get the gauge with your yarn you can use your machine. You do not need a ribber, as the bottom edge is mock-ribbing, and all other ribbing is latched up. If you do have a ribber, I have another version of this design that uses one here. It is also available as a hand knitting pattern here!

Please note that some of the sizes in the pattern require more than 150 needles which the LK150 is limited to. The following sizes and lengths require a machine (such as a standard gauge machine) with 200 needles: Sizes 8-10 (all lengths), Size 7 Medium & Long, and Size 6 Long (more info on sizing below).

Construction:

The front and back of the bodice are each knitted separately from the bottom up, and then seamed together. The picot hem is then folded and seamed to the bodice. Lastly, the straps are added using custom placement.

There are 3 versions you can make of this top, Simplified, Slanted, and Ribbed.  The Simplified Version is the quickest and easiest, while the Ribbed Version is the most challenging.  I have a YouTube tutorial for this design which also explains all of the options here. Both sides of the fabric look nice, and you can choose which side you would like facing out when you seam the sides together.

Length Options:

There are 3 length options in the pattern, Short (Medium, Long) for a finished side length measurement of 7.25 (9, 10.5) in / 18 (23, 27) cm. This top is intended to fit as a crop top, and I would recommend choosing a length based on your underarm to natural waist measurement, or by measuring a crop top you like the length of.

Yardage & Sizing:

360 (375, 390, 405, 420, 435) (450, 465, 480, 495) yards / 330 (345, 355, 370, 385, 400) (410, 425, 440, 455) meters of Sport Weight Yarn for the Medium Length, -/+ 20% for the Short/Long Length

to fit a 32 (35, 38, 41, 44, 47) (50, 53, 59, 59) in / 81 (89, 97, 104, 112, 119) (127, 135, 142, 150) cm Bust

Detailed photos are included of every step alongside written instructions. I also made a video tutorial walking you through all of the techniques here!

Enjoy!