Lace-Up Tank Top

Design By Scarlet Taylor

Perfect for hot summer days, this easy knit tank top will be a favorite with teens and adults.

Skill Level
Easy

Size
Woman's extra-small (small, medium, large) Instructions are given for smallest size, with larger sizes in parentheses. When only 1 number is given, it applies to all sizes.

Finished Measurements
Chest: 36 (38, 40, 44) inches

Materials

• DK weight cotton yarn* (136 yds/50g per ball): 5 (6, 6, 7) balls tangelo #60901
• Size 3 (3.25mm) double-pointed needles (for I-cord)
• Size 4 (3.5mm) needles
• Size 6 (4mm) needles or size needed to obtain gauge
• Stitch markers

*Sample project was completed with Grace (100 percent cotton) from Paton Yarns.

Gauge
24 sts and 32 rows = 4 inches/10cm in St st with size 6 needles
To save time, take time to check gauge.

Back
With size 4 needles, cast on 108 (114, 120, 132) sts.
Row 1 (RS): Purl.
Row 2: Knit.
Rows 3-8: Rep Rows 1 and 2 (rev St st).
Row 9 (RS): Change to size 6 needles, knit.
Continue in St st until piece measures approx 11 1/2 (12, 12 1/2, 13) inches from beg, ending with a WS row.

Shape armholes
At beg of row, bind off [9 (9, 9, 12) sts] twice, [3 sts] 2 (2, 4, 4) times, then [2 (2, 2, 0) sts] 2 (2, 2, 0) times. Dec 1 st at each side [every row] 6 (6, 5, 8) times, then [every other row] 2 (3, 2, 3) times. (64, 68, 72, 74 sts)
Continue to work even until armhole measures approx 4 1/2 (4 1/2, 4 3/4, 5) inches from beg, ending with a WS row.

Shape neck
Next row (RS): Work across first 26 (28, 30, 31) sts, join 2nd ball of yarn and bind off center 12 sts, work to end of row.
Working both sides at once with separate skeins of yarn, bind off at each neck edge [4 sts] twice, then [3 sts] once. Dec 1 st at each neck edge [every other row] 4 (6, 8, 9) times. (11 sts each side)
Continue to work even until piece measures approx 19 (20, 21, 22) inches, ending with a WS row. Bind off rem sts.

Front
Work as for back until 2 (2, 4, 6) rows of armhole shaping are completed. Mark center of row.

Divide for placket
Next row (RS): Continue armhole shaping, and at the same time, work to 4 sts before center, k2tog, k1, join 2nd ball of yarn and bind off center 2 sts; k1, skp, work to end. Work 3 rows.
Eyelet row (RS): Work to 3 sts before center, yo, k2tog, k1; k1, skp, yo, work to end. [Work 11 rows, rep eyelet row] twice.
Continue to work even until placket measures approx 4 inches from beg.

Shape neck
Working both sides at once, bind off at each neck edge [4 sts] 3 times, then [3 sts] once. Dec 1 st at each neck edge [every other row] 4 (6, 8, 9) times. (11 sts each side)
Continue to work even until piece measures same as back to shoulders. Complete as for back.

Finishing
Sew shoulder seams.

Neckband
With size 4 needles and RS facing, pick up and knit 99 (107, 115, 119) sts evenly around neckline. Knit 1 row. Bind off all sts knitwise.

Placket
With size 4 needles and RS facing, pick up and knit 21 sts along left side of center front opening, 2 sts at bottom, and 21 sts along right side. (44 sts total)
Knit 1 row. Bind off all sts knitwise.

Armhole
With size 4 needles and RS facing, pick up and knit 98 (104, 112, 120) sts evenly around armhole edge. Knit 1 row, purl 1 row, then bind off all sts knitwise. Rep for 2nd armhole.
Sew side seams.

I-Cord Lacing
Using 2 dpns, cast on 3 sts, do not turn, *sl sts to other end of needle, pull yarn across back, k3; rep from * until lacing measures approx 22 inches or desired length. Bind off. Thread lacing through center front opening.