This summer I moved Los Angeles where the skies are blue and the sun is shining every day! My favorite kind of weather! I grew up in Washington state (the rainy side) and I originally moved to California specifically for sunshine. Seasonal Affective Disorder is real, people!
With so much great weather here in LA, I am spending lots of time outside. For this crochet project, I wanted to design something that was breathable, colorful, allowed for ease of movement, and kept me cool in the warm weather. Comfort, versatility, and expressing personal style are important to me, so I made this for like-minded individuals hoping to showcase their handmade garments even during a casual outing, a workout session, or just enjoying a sunny day.
With this mixed-mesh pattern, the part can be worked up pretty quickly! It also sports unfinished edges, which I like for the casual vibe, and also means less work in the production of the piece. The pattern calls out when to switch yarn colors if you're into the stripes fo ra pop of color. If you want to stick with one solid color, just ignore the prompt to change yarn!
An additional element to this design was to try something a little different in terms of construction. In a lot of patterns for tees and tanks, they are made with an identical front and back pattern. This can create a nice loose shape, and might produce an easier pattern to follow, but my front is not the same as my back and for ladies with a bust, I have found the pieces to be a little ill-fitting with too much room in the back. So with this design, I purposefully made the front panel about 60% of the bust circumference. This means that the front and back panels have different directions, and the back piece will only be as wide as your shoulder blades. The final fit will give you room in the front for the ladies, without the extra, unnecessary dimension in the back.
I'd love to know how your parts turned out, if you enjoyed this pattern, or if you have any other feedback or concerns, so do please share with me (you can email me at studiosquaredaway@gmail.com). Otherwise, please enjoy this free pattern!
PATTERN NOTES
This pattern is written using US crochet terms, and sizing is listed in inches.
This pattern includes directions for sizes XS-2XL. Stitch and row counts will be listed like this: XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL) at the end of each line. Chs in the row (excluding turning chs) are counted as 1 st towards the total st count. So where the pattern says “ch 6 (counts as trc+ch1)”, this would count as 2 stitches because the trc and ch 1 would each count as a stitch. In addition, where there are chs included as part of the row, they will each count as one towards the total st count.
This tank is worked by crocheting the front and the back separately, then seaming them together. The stitch pattern can be enjoyed from either side of the work, meaning there are no right/wrong working sides you need to worry about, and when joining the two panels together, you can choose which side of your work is the view-side of the finished product!
I’ve designed this pattern so that the front panel is almost 60% of the total bust dimension. This will help busty ladies like me have room in the front of the shirt without the back bunching with excess fabric! This also means that the front and back panels have different directions, so follow closely!
The mixed mesh design is made of two repeating rows with different stitch combinations. Here is a description of each combination:
Row 1 has repeating sets of 5 dc followed by ch 3 that sk over 3 ch from the previous row.
Row 2 has repeating sets of [trc , ch 1 and sk 1 st, trc, ch 1 and sk 1 st, trc] followed by ch 3 that sk over 3 ch from the previous row. The tbcs and dc are stacked on top of each other, while the ch 3 portions line up with ch 3 portion from previous row. Take a look at a closeup of the patterns below.
I have also used two colors in this design! You can follow along with the pattern which will alert you to when you should switch colors, or if you prefer a solid tank, ignore the color swap and continue with the pattern as usual!
MATERIALS
Any worsted weight yarn. I used Big Twist 100% acrylic yarn, Medium 4 weight
Color A: Sage
Color B: Pale Peach
US H8 / 5.00mm hook or whatever size necessary for you to hit gauge
Yarn needle, scissors, measuring tape, stitch markers
GAUGE
For the most accurate gauge, crochet in the alternating rows of stitches into a square larger than 4"x4" so that you can measure in the center. This will more accurately reflect your personal gauge.
13 stitches by 5 rows makes 4 x 4 inches
STITCH KEY
Ch(s) = chain(s)
Sl St = slip
Stitch Sk = skip
Dc = double crochet
Trc = treble crochet
Dec = Decrease
Rep = Repeat
SIZING
PATTERN
Front Panel
Begin with Color A:
Starting Chain: Ch 63 (79, 87, 95, 103, 111)
Row 1: Dc in 4th ch from hook and next 4 st. *Ch 3 and sk 3 chs from previous row. Dc in each of next 5 st.* Rep between ** to end - 61 (77, 85, 93, 101, 109)
Row 2: Ch 5 and turn. (This will count as the first trc + 1ch). Trc into the third st. Ch 1 and sk 1 st. Trc into next st. *Ch 3 and sk the 3 ch from previous row. In next st, trc. Ch 1, sk 1 st, and trc into next st. Ch 1, sk 1 st, trc in next st.* Repeat between ** to end - 61 (77, 85, 93, 101, 109)
Note: You're creating 3 posts of trc on top of the previous row's 5 dc stitches. You ch 3 and skip the ch 3 from the previous row. See photo below and remember you work from right to left.
Row 3: Ch 3 (counts as first dc here and throughout pattern), turn. Dc in next 4 st. *Ch 3 and sk 3 ch from previous row. Dc in next 5 st.* Rep between ** to end - 61 (77, 85, 93, 101, 109)
Row 4: Repeat Row 2.
Row 5: Repeat Row 3.
Row 6: Repeat Row 2
Row 7: Repeat Row 3, joining Color B in at the end of the row.
Row 8: Repeat Row 2 in new color
Row 9: Repeat Row 3
Row 10: Repeat Row 2, joining Color A in at the end of the row.
Rows 11-16: Repeat Rows 3 and 2, joining Color B in at the end of row 16.
Row 17: Repeat Row 3 in new color, joining in Color A at the end of the row.
Row 18: Repeat Row 2.
We will now start decreasing for the arm holes.
Row 19: Turn. Sl st in second and third st. Ch 3 (counts as first dc). Dc in next 2 st. *Ch 3, sk 3 ch. Dc in next 5 st.* Rep between ** until 8 st remain. Ch 3, sk 3 ch. Dc in next 3 st, leaving 2 st unworked. - 57 (73, 81, 89, 97, 105)
Row 20: Turn. Sl st in second and third st. Ch 6 (counts as 1 tbc + ch 3), sk 3 ch, tbc into next st. Ch 1, sk 1 st, and trc into next st. Ch 1, sk 1 st, trc in next st. *Ch 3 and sk the 3 ch. In next st, trc. Ch 1, sk 1 st, and trc into next st. Ch 1, sk 1 st, trc in next st.* Rep between ** until there are 8 st remaining. Ch 3 and sk 3 chs, tbc in next st, ch 1 and sk 1 ch, tbc in next st. This will leave 2 st unworked. - 53 (69, 77, 85, 93, 101)
Row 21: Turn. Sl st in second, third, and fourth chs. Ch 3 (counts as dc). Dc in next 4 st. *Ch 3 and sk 3 ch from previous row. Dc in next 5 st.* Rep between ** until 3 chs remain, leaving them unfinished. - 45 (61, 69, 77, 85, 93)
Row 22: Turn. Sl st in second and third st. Ch 5 (counts as 1 tbc + ch 1), sk 1 st, tbc into next st. *Ch 3 and sk the 3 ch. In next st, trc. Ch 1, sk 1 st, and trc into next st. Ch 1, sk 1 st, trc in next st.* Rep between ** until there are 8 st remaining. Ch 3 and sk 3 chs, tbc in next st, ch 1 and sk 1 ch, tbc in next st. This will leave 2 st unworked. - 41 (57, 65, 73, 81, 89)
Now we will work the straps.
First strap: the first row will continue decreasing.
Row 1: Turn. Sl st in second and third sts. Ch 6 (counts as dc +ch3), sk next 3 ch from previous rows, dc in next 5 st. Ch 3, sk 3 ch, dc in next st.
Row 2: Ch 5 and turn. Sk 3 chs, trc in next st. Ch 1, sk 1 st, trc in next st. Ch 1, sk 1 st, trc in next st. Ch 3, sk 3 chs, tbc in next ch.
Row 3: Ch 6 (counts as dc +ch3), sk next 3 ch from previous rows, dc in next 5 st. Ch 3, sk 3 ch, dc in next st.
For size XS: Repeat rows 2 and 3 two more times for a total of 7 rows.
For size S and M: Repeat rows 2 and 3 for a total of 8 rows.
For size L, XL, and 2XL: Repeat rows 2 and 3 for a total of 9 rows.
Trim out.
Second strap:
The row at the other end of the work starts with a ch 5 and a trc. Join a fresh yarn end in the st above the tbc. This will replace the dec you performed for the first strap, leaving 2 unworked st at the end.
Row 1: Ch 6 (counts as dc +ch3) and turn. Sk next 3 ch from previous rows, dc in next 5 st. Ch 3, sk 3 ch, dc in next st. - 13 st
Row 2: Ch 5 (counts as trc + ch 3) and turn. Sk 3 chs, trc in next st. Ch 1, sk 1 st, trc in next st. Ch 1, sk 1 st, trc in next st. Ch 3, sk 3 chs, tbc in next ch. - 13 st
Row 3: Ch 6 (counts as dc +ch3) and turn. Sk next 3 ch from previous rows, dc in next 5 st. Ch 3, sk 3 ch, dc in next st. - 13 st
For size XS: Repeat rows 2 and 3 two more times for a total of 7 rows.
For size S and M: Repeat rows 2 and 3 for a total of 8 rows.
For size L, XL, and 2XL: Repeat rows 2 and 3 for a total of 9 rows.
Trim out.
Back Panel
The back panel makes up about 40% of the total bust circumference. Begin with Color A:
Starting Chain: Ch 47 (55, 63, 71, 71, 79)
Row 1: Dc in 4th ch from hook and next 4 st. *Ch 3 and sk 3 chs from previous row. Dc in each of next 5 st.* Rep between ** to end - 45 (53, 61, 69, 69, 77)
Row 2: Ch 5 and turn. (This will count as the first trc + 1ch). Trc into the third st. Ch 1 and sk 1 st. Trc into next st. *Ch 3 and sk the 3 ch from previous row. In next st, trc. Ch 1, sk 1 st, and trc into next st. Ch 1, sk 1 st, trc in next st.* Repeat between ** to end - 45 (53, 61, 69, 69, 77)
Row 3: Ch 3 (counts as first st here and throughout pattern), turn. Dc in next 4 st. *Ch 3 and sk 3 st from previous row. Dc in next 5 st.* Rep between ** to end - 45 (53, 61, 69, 69, 77)
Row 4: Repeat Row 2.
Row 5: Repeat Row 3.
Row 6: Repeat Row 2
Row 7: Repeat Row 3, joining Color B in at the end of the row.
Row 8: Repeat Row 2 in new color
Row 9: Repeat Row 3
Row 10: Repeat Row 2, joining Color A in at the end of the row.
Rows 11-16: Repeat Rows 3 and 2, joining Color B in at the end of row 16.
Row 17: Repeat Row 3 in new color, joining in Color A at the end of the row.
Row 18: Repeat Row 2.
We will now start decreasing for the arm holes.
Row 19: Turn. Sl st in second and third st. Ch 3 (counts as first dc). Dc in next 2 st. *Ch 3, sk 3 ch. Dc in next 5 st.* Rep between ** until 8 st remain. Ch 3, sk 3 ch. Dc in next 3 st, leaving 2 st unworked. - 41 (49, 57, 65, 65, 73)
Row 20: Turn. Sl st in second and third st. Ch 6 (counts as 1 tbc + ch 3), sk 3 ch, tbc into next st. Ch 1, sk 1 st, and trc into next st. Ch 1, sk 1 st, trc in next st. *Ch 3 and sk the 3 ch. In next st, trc. Ch 1, sk 1 st, and trc into next st. Ch 1, sk 1 st, trc in next st.* Rep between ** until there are 8 st remaining. Ch 3 and sk 3 chs, tbc in next st, ch 1 and sk 1 ch, tbc in next st. This will leave 2 st unworked. - 37 (45, 53, 61, 61, 69)
Row 21: Turn. Sl st in second, third, and fourth chs. Ch 3 (counts as dc). Dc in next 4 st. *Ch 3 and sk 3 st from previous row. Dc in next 5 st.* Rep between ** until 3 chs remain, leaving them unfinished. - 29 (37, 45, 53, 53, 61)
Row 22: Turn. Sl st in second and third st. Ch 5 (counts as 1 tbc + ch 1), sk 1 st, tbc into next st. *Ch 3 and sk the 3 ch. In next st, trc. Ch 1, sk 1 st, and trc into next st. Ch 1, sk 1 st, trc in next st.* Rep between ** until there are 8 st remaining. Ch 3 and sk 3 chs, tbc in next st, ch 1 and sk 1 ch, tbc in next st. This will leave 2 st unworked. - 25 (33, 41, 49, 49, 57)
Row 23: Turn, sl st in second and third st. Ch 6 (counts as dc + ch3), sk 3 chs. Dc into next 5 st. *Ch 3 and sk 3 chs. Dc into next 5 st.* Rep between ** until there are 8 st remaining. Ch 3 and sk 3 chs. Dc in next st. - 21 (29, 37, 45, 45, 53)
Row 24: Ch 6 (counts as trc + ch 3) and turn. Sk 3 st. *Trc in next st, ch 1 and sk 1 st, trc in next st, ch 1 and sk 1 st, trc in next st. Ch 3 and sk 3 st.* Rep between ** until end, placing 1 trc in final st. - 21 (29, 37, 45, 45, 53)
Row 25: Ch 6 (counts as dc + ch3) and turn. Sk 3 chs. Dc into next 5 st. *Ch 3 and sk 3 chs. Dc into next 5 st.* Rep between ** until there are 8 st remaining. Ch 3 and sk 3 chs. Dc in next st. - 21 (29, 37, 45, 45, 53)
For size XS: Repeat rows 24 and 25 two more times for a total of 29 rows.
For size S and M: Repeat rows 24 and 25 for a total of 30 rows.
For size L, XL, and 2XL: Repeat rows 24 and 25 for a total of 31 rows.
Trim out.
Joining
Use the whip stitch to seam the top of the straps from the front panel to the top of the back panel as shown here:
Next, seam the two sides together, from the bottom edge up to row 19, right before the decreasing rows begin.
Finish
Use your yarn needle to tie in all loose ends, and enjoy!
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