Designing our everyday tank top was a fun challenge for us, however, it was also quite demanding because it had to have one essential requirement: versatility. We believe we have overcome this challenge, though, because this openwork tank top is perfect for a walk along the beach or a trip into the city. For an office or Sunday brunch and for many more occasions, just throw on the everyday tank top and it will speak for itself.

The yarn we have chosen is Cleopatra in linen and cotton in the color of Citron. This choice seemed ideal for a garment that could be worn both during the day and in the evenings.

A project by Knitting For Breakfast.

Tutorial: how to knit an openwork tank top for everyday use

MATERIALS
Cleopatra yarn col. Citron 300 g / 10.5 oz
Knitting needles n° 4.5 EU / 7 US
Crochet hooks n° 4 EU / G-6 US
Stitch marker
Wool needle

GAUGE
10 cm x 10 cm / 4″ x 4″
16 stitches and 22 rows

STITCHES USED
Knit
Purl
Rib 1/1:
Knit and Purl 1
Lace stitch:
round 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9: *knit 6, yarn over needle 1, knit 2 together, yarn over needle 1, knit 2 together*, repeat until the end of the round
round 2 and all other even rounds: knit
round 11, 13, 15, 17 and 19: *simple stitch passed over 1, yarn over needle 1, simple stitch passed over 1, yarn over needle 1, knit 6*, repeat until the end of the round

SIZE
S (M, L)

DIMENSIONS OF FINISHED PIECE
Total height 50 (51, 52) cm / 19.7″ (20.1″, 20.5″)
Circumference of bust 90 (102, 114) cm / 35.4″ (40.1″, 44.9″)
Length from underarm to hem 32 (32, 32) cm / 12.6″ (12.6″, 12.6″)
Neckline circumference 52 (54, 56) cm / 20.5″ (21.3″, 22″)
Armhole 42 (43, 43) cm / 16.5″ (16.9″, 16.9″)

LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY
Intermediate

METHOD

Work around in one piece from bottom to top up to the underside of the sleeve. For the upper part work in two separate parts, front and back, with back and forth stitches.

How to knit the body of the openwork tank top

With Needles n° 4.5 EU / 7 US cast on 140 (160, 180) stitches, insert the stitch marker at the start of the round and bind off the round.

From round 1 to round 6: knit rib stitch 1/1.

At this point we need to knit the lace stitch 3 times.

How to knit the front of the tank top

At this point the work is divided into 2 parts, continue working back and forth for only the first half of the stitches.

Round 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 (right side): *knit 6, yarn over needle 1, knit 2 together, yarn over needle 1, knit 2 together*, repeat until the end of the round
round 2 and all other even rounds (left side): stitch purl
round 11, 13, 15, 17 and 19 (right side): *simple stitch passed over 1, yarn over needle 1, simple stitch passed over 1, yarn over needle 1, knit 6*, repeat until the end of the round

For all sizes: repeat from round 1 to round 20 again.

For sizes M (L): repeat from round 1 to round 4 (6) once more.

Bind off all stitches.

How to knit the back of the tank top

knit as done for the front on the other half of the stitches remaining on the needle.

Bind off all stitches.

How to knit the straps and neckline of the openwork tank top

For the straps sew 14 (18, 22) stitches for each strap using the back and forth.

Instead, for the neckline resume with the needles 4.5 EU / 7 US resume 86 (90, 94) stitches along the opening of the neckline and bind of to work around.

round 1: knit all the stitches.

From round 2 to round 5: *knit 1, purl 1*, repeat from * to * until the end of the round.

Softly bind off all stitches with the wool needle.

Finishing

Using the crochet hook n° 4 EU / G-6 US knit a round single crochet along the armhole.

Insert all threads, wash and block the the garment.

If you’ve been charmed in the process of knitting the everyday tank top, then be sure not to miss out on a the ideal accessory to coordinate with it, the summer clutch.