Lover Tank
Model: Ron Joseph, bartender at Vig Bar, NYC.
An updated version of the tired, old, vulgarly titled “wife beater," this tank is much more fashionable and “loving”.
Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Size shown: Medium
Finished Measurements:
Chest at Underarm: 32” (relaxed) (One size will fit up to 42”)
Finished Length: 26”
Materials:
South West Trading Company “Bamboo” (3-1/2 oz.100g, 250 yds, 100% Bamboo) Black, 2 balls. Cost to make: up to $30 US.
1 size 3 (3.25mm) 24” circular needle, 1 size 5 (3.75mm) 24” circular needle,
1 size 16” circular needle, or sizes needed to obtain gauge. Optional: 1 crochet hook, size C (2.75mm)
Stitch markers
Tapestry needle
1 Stitch holder, 5” length
Gauge: In lace pattern, 7 reps across (43 sts.) = 9–1/2”
6 reps high (48 rows) = 7–1/2” or, (4 – 1/2 sts x 6 – 3/8 rows = 1”)
To save time, take time to check gauge.
English Mesh Lace Pattern
multiple of 6 sts, plus 1.
Row 1 (Wrong side) and all other wrong-side rows–Purl.
Row 2–K1, *yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, k1; rep from *.
Row 4–K1, *yo, k1, sl 1–k2tog–psso, k1, yo, k1; rep from *.
Row 6–K1, *k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k1; rep from *.
Row 8–K2tog, *(k1, yo) twice, k1, sl 1–k2tog–psso; rep from * to last 5 sts, end (k1, yo) twice, k1, ssk.
Repeat rows 1 – 8
Special Instructions:
If there are not enough stitches to work a yarn over or decrease with it’s companion decrease or yarn over, work the stitches in stockinette stitch. If there are not enough stitches to work a double-decrease, work a single decrease, and the remaining stitch in stockinette. The optional crochet hook may be used instead of needles to pick up stitches, for convenience.
A one-stitch seam is added to each side of the tank, for ease in sewing.
The graphs for the armhole and neckline decreases are on the next photo page.
Back
Using Cable Cast On method and smaller needles, CO 87 sts.
(14 reps, plus 1 st, plus 2 seam sts).
Work even in k1, p1 rib for 1/2” (6 rows), ending so the next row is a right side row. Change to larger needles and work in lace pattern until back measures 14–3/8” (row 91). PM.
Begin Armhole Shapings: BO 6 sts at the beg of the next 2 rows, then 4 sts at the beg of the foll 2 rows. Dec 1 st in the next row, then every other row 1x, every row 2x, every other row 3x, every 3rd row 1x, every 4th row 1x, every 3rd row 1x, every 6th row 1x (row 122, 44 sts rem). Cont until piece measures 22–1/2” (row 143) PM.
Begin Neck Shaping: On the next row, work 15 sts and place on holder. BO 14 sts in center, and work to end. Dec sts on side of neck, as foll: 2 sts every other row 1x, 1 st every row 5x, every other row 3x, every 4th row 1x (row 161, 4 sts rem). Cont until piece measures 26” (row 166). BO. Pick up rem neckline sts on holder. Turn, and work other side of neck shaping, rev all decs. BO.
Front
Work same as back, to armhole (row 91). PM.
Begin Armhole Shaping: BO 7 sts at the beg of the next 2 rows, 2 sts in the next row, then dec 1 st every row 6x, every other row 3x, every 3rd row 1x, every 4th row 2x (row 117, 46 sts rem). Cont for 3 rows.
Begin Neck Shaping: On the next row, work 20 sts and place on holder. BO 4 sts in center, and work to end. Turn. Work 1 row, BO 4 sts at the beg of 2nd row. Beg dec on side of neck as foll: 1 st every row 4x, every other row 3x, every 3rd row 3x, every 5th row 1x, every 8th row 1x (row 155, 4 sts rem).
Cont until piece measures 26” (row 166). BO.
Construction
Lightly block pieces to finished measurements given in the instructions. Sew shoulders. Carefully sew side seams one st in (side seam sts) from edge, lining up reps.
Armhole Edgings
Beg at underarm with RS facing, and using smaller needles, pick up
130 sts evenly around armholes. Work in k1, p1, ribbing for 1/2” (6 rows). BO.
Neck Edging
Starting at shoulder edge with RS facing, and using smaller needles, pick up 144 sts evenly around neck edge. Work in k1, p1 ribbing for 1/2” (6 rows). BO.
Care Instructions
Machine wash, warm water, with like colors, Slight running of color may occur, for first time only. Machine dry cotton setting, 30 min. Washing will slightly soften garment, like an undershirt.
Abbreviations
Beg begin(s)(ing)
BO bind off
CO cast on
Cont cont(s)(ing)
Dec decrease(s)(ing)
Foll follow(s)(ing)
K knit
K2tog knit 2 stitches together
PM place marker
P purl
Psso pass slipped stitch over
Rem remain(s)(ing)
Rep repeat(s)(ing)
RS right side
Rev reverse(s)(ing)
Sl slip
Ssk slip, slip, knit
St stitch(es)
WS wrong side
X number of times
Yo yarn over
Sahara Briscoe has worked in the Garment Industry for over ten years, as a knit fabric developer for diverse brands ranging from Macy’s Private Label, to Alexander Julian and August Max Woman. Currently, she does product development for young designers and gives classes in Sweater Design.
