Looking for an easy summer project where you can dip your toes into colorwork? This breezy tank top uses just 11 rows of color work, and never more than 2 colors in any one row. Floats carried across the back are very short (never more than 3 stitches), which makes it easier to achieve even tension as a beginning color work knitter.

Sizes for this shirt are based on the High Bust measurement. Place a tape measure around the highest part of your bust, under your arms as high as you can get it while still keeping the tape measure flat to your body. This is your high bust measurement.

“Adventurous Beginner” techniques include:
• Knitting flat & in-the-round
• Kitchener stitch
• Very basic colorwork
• Picking up stitches

Materials Needed:
775 (835, 885, 940, 990, 1030, 1085) yds heavy sport-weight yarn.
Sample was made from Frabjous Fibers’ Mad Hatter (100%
Merino, 344 yds/113g).
MC (“Phantomwise”): 620 (660, 700, 745, 785, 815, 860)
MC2 (“Too Much Pepper”): 125 (145, 155, 165, 175, 185, 195)
Remaining colors are from the “Mice in the Tea” color pack:
CC1 (maroon): Less than 10 yds for all sizes
CC2 (blue): Less than 10 yds for all sizes
CC3 (green): Less than 10 yds for all sizes
US Size 3 / 3.25mm circ needle (or size needed for gauge)
Set of US Size 3 / 3.25mm dpns (for grafting shoulders)
2 stitch markers
3 stitch holders or scrap yarn.

This tank top begins at the hem and is stockinette in the round up to the arm holes. From that point up, the front and back sections are each knit flat and joined with kitchener st (a 3-needle bind-off can be substituted if you’re allergic to grafting!) at the shoulders.

Finishing is simple - just pick up stitches at the neckline and around each arm hole to work a simple trim. No seams to sew up, very few ends to weave in. It’s great travel or tv knitting since 80% of the project is stockinette stitch with no shaping in the round!

A significant amount of positive ease is included in the front body of this tank. The back section and the upper chest area on the front with all fit with close to zero ease, which is what keeps this tank from looking tent-like. It’s comfortable and not-clingy to wear, while still looking like a shirt that is the correct size.

Instructions are written out, but charted instructions are given for the colorwork section only. A schematic with a number of measurements is also included. This will help you ensure the best fit possible and make any desired modifications much easier!

This style is most flattering on figures with small-to-medium bust sizes. People with larger bust sizes will want to check out Icyflames’ project page - she has specific suggestions on how to modify this top to better flatter a large bust.

Many thanks to the generous testers who helped work the kinks out of this pattern and who created beautiful tops from it - Icyflames, REJ, KarenlWallace & Chau7, I appreciate all the work you put into this test knit and all the valuable feedback you gave me!