Sign up for the Knitosophy newsletter for the best deals and to stay informed about what I’m working on!

WHERE TO BUY THE PATTERN

Also available at knitosophy.com and in my Payhip store.

INTRO

When the monsoon season arrives each year in the Sonoran Desert of southern Arizona, the seemingly barren landscape is transformed into a botanical wonderland filled with cacti, wildflowers and grasses. The Desert Grass tank (or vest!) was inspired by the grasslands, an underrated yet vital desert ecosystem.

SKILL LEVEL

Intermediate

SKILLS REQUIRED

Knitting in the round, simple lace

SIZING

All of my patterns are #sizeinclusive.

See schematic drawing and measurement table at left for more info.

1 (2, 3, 4, 5, 6) (7, 8, 9, 10) (11, 12, 13, 14, 15) (16, 17, 18, 19)

To fit chest circumference:

28 (30, 32, 34, 36, 38) (40, 42, 44, 46) (48, 50, 52, 54, 56) (58, 60, 62, 64) in /

70 (75, 80, 85, 90, 95) (100, 105, 110, 115) (120, 125, 130, 135, 140) (145, 150, 155, 160) cm

Finished chest circumference:

28.5 (30.75, 32.5, 34.35, 36.75, 38.5) (40.25, 42.75, 44.5, 46.25) (48, 50.25, 52.25, 54, 56.25) (58, 60.25, 62.25, 64)“ /

71.5 (77, 81.5, 85.5, 92, 96.5) (100.5, 107, 111.5, 115.5) (120, 125.5, 130.5, 135, 140.5) (145, 151.5, 155.5, 160) cm

to be worn with 0-3⁄4” / 0-2 cm positive ease

BLOCKED GAUGE

27 sts and 37 rows/rounds = 4” / 10 cm in stockinette pattern on US 3 / 3.25 mm needles after blocking

27 sts and 40 rounds = 4” / 10 cm in Twisted 1x1 Rib on US 3 / 3.25 mm

1 lace repeat (16 sts) = 2.4” / 6 cm across after blocking.

NEEDLES

US 3 / 3.25 mm circular needle, 32” / 80 cm length and small circumference needles or DPNs if not using magic loop for armbands and neckband; two spare US 3 / 3.25 mm needles for working three-needle bind off at shoulders

NOTIONS

13 (14, 15, 15, 16, 17) (18, 19, 19, 20) (21, 22, 23, 23, 24) (25, 26, 27, 27) stitch markers (including one unique BOR), 2 removable markers, scrap yarn, yarn needle

YARN

Any fingering weight yarn that meets gauge.

Less Traveled Yarn, 757 Sock (fingering; 75% SW Merino, 25% Nylon; 463 yards / 424 meters per 100-gram skein)

YARDAGE

2 (2, 2, 2, 2, 3) (3, 3, 3, 3) (3, 3, 3, 4, 4) (4, 4, 4, 4) skeins

OR approx 690 (744, 795, 837, 909, 963) (1018, 1092, 1148, 1207) (1252, 1324, 1377, 1438, 1498) (1560, 1645, 1708, 1774) yards /

631 (680, 727, 765, 831, 881) (931, 999, 1050, 1104) (1145, 1211, 1259, 1315, 1370) (1426, 1504, 1562, 1622) meters of fingering weight yarn.

Yardage includes a 10% buffer for slight variations in gauge.

CONSTRUCTION NOTES

This garment is constructed from the bottom up and is worked in one piece. Waist shaping is included. At the armhole separation, the front and back are worked back and forth separately. Shoulders are seamed together using the three-needle bind off.

Throughout the pattern, RS refers to the reverse stockinette (purl) side, and WS refers to the stockinette (knit) side. The pattern begins with the RS facing, but after working the bottom lace, the piece is turned inside out so that the remaining rnds can be knit rather than purled. After completing the shoulder seaming, the garment is turned RS out again before working the armbands and neckband.

Left and right instructions are from the wearer’s perspective.