If I were to take a beach vacation to #middleearth, the Bay of Belfalas would be my #1 destination--after the Corsairs have been dealt with, of course.

This #lordoftherings inspired tank top is made by knitting a cable panel, grafting its ends together, then picking up and knitting the body from the panel sides. The body is worked in the round, gradually tapering to around 1.5” of ease in the upper and full bust. To accomplish this, sizes 7-18 include vertical bust darts to further decrease from the full bust to the upper bust circumference.

At the underarms, the tank top is separated into front and back panels, with the second panel remaining on hold on your needles while the first is worked. I-cords and applied i-cords are worked until there are three or four i-cord straps at each shoulder. The pattern features extensive photos and linked video tutorials of the process. The i-cord strands are then braided and grafted to the shoulder directly behind them. The structure in the shoulders and neckline counters the weight of the garment, while allowing a flattering, drapey fit elsewhere.

Knitters may choose between three strand or four strand cable and braid motifs. The three strand braid will be easier for beginners.

Skills utilized (video tutorials are linked): Cable knitting, picking up stitches from a vertical edge, grafting with kitchener stitch, applied i-cord, braiding.

Purchase includes an additional Low Vision File with 22 point Sans Serif Font, no columns or italics, and page numbers on the right side.

• Sizes

  1 (2, 3, 4) (5, 6, 7) (8, 9, 10) (11, 12, 13) (14, 15, 16) (17, 18) to fit a 28” to 62” full bust. Click here for schematic and full size chart.

An extensive alteration guide is included. If a standard size does not fit you, this guide may be utilized for anything from minor alterations to a completely customized tank top. You’ll simply choose your starting hip size and your ending upper bust size and use the given formulas to recalculate anything in between.

This pattern has been tech edited and tested. Though I make every effort to achieve perfect fit across all sizes, I was not able to find testers for sizes 13-15 and 17-18. If you are one of these sizes and you’d like to try out the pattern for free in exchange for feedback, please email me or send a message. Testers will receive personalized pattern and fit support, as well as a code for an additional free pattern upon completion of their project.

Gauge:

• Body

16 sts and 20 rows in 4” (10.2cm) in stockinette when worn. Your gauge swatch will not have enough weight to alter row gauge and should measure 16 sts and 22 rows in 4” (10.2cm) when laid flat. This project is made specifically for drapey cotton yarn and anticipates in advance the growth in length that will occur when worn. Knitters wishing to substitute yarns should pay careful attention to how their yarn behaves as weight is added. If row gauge cannot be met, extra rows may be needed to account for any missing length.

• Cable Panel

Row gauge on cables should measure 17 rows in 3 inches (7.6cm).

Materials:

• Yarn

450 (480, 505, 535) (565, 595, 630) (655, 690, 720) (755, 785, 815) (845, 875, 905) (940, 970) yards or 490 (525, 550, 585) (620, 650, 690) (715, 755, 785) (825, 860, 890) (925, 955, 990) (1030, 1060) meters of Shiny Happy Cotton by Wool and the Gang which is 155 yds (142m) per 100g ball.

If you are substituting yarn, look for a smooth, drapey yarn with good stitch definition that can be knit up into I-cord (some more rustic yarns do not perform well as I-cord). I do not recommend wool or 100% acrylic unless you are planning to use your tank as a winter layering piece.

• Needles

Size 8 (5.0mm) circular needles, able to accommodate both the hip circumference and the chest circumference. Knitters whose flat cable knitting tends to be tighter than their circular knitting may wish to size up an additional needle size to work the cable panel.
Size 7 (4.5mm) circular needles for flat knitting (if needed) and i-cords.
Cable needle (wooden or with grooves to hold sts)
Tip: For ease of knitting i-cord, you may prefer DPNs, but you can use a regular needle by slipping the stitches purlwise from the right needle to the left needle. Alternatively, I like to use interchangeable needles and knit my I-cord with the tips only.

• Notions

Removable stitch markers (10-12) or waste yarn/yarn holders to hold live sts
Fixed stitch markers Tapestry needle
Elastic cord, 1.2mm (optional, if armhole drooping occurs)