With a little feel of the early 1960s, this draped boatneck tank is simple yet striking. It can easily be dressed up or down. Wear it with skinny jeans and ballet flats, and you're ready to dance in your living room for a room full of dinner guests.

The subtle shimmer of the yarn imparts some dressiness to the top, while the simple silhouette allows the tank to be casual.

The armholes feature a chain-garter selvedge, and the waist and neck edges use a knitted hem to keep the edges flat.

SIZE
XS [S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X] (shown in size S)

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Chest: 30[33, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52] inches
Length: 21.5[22, 22.5, 23.5, 24, 24.75, 25] inches

MATERIALS
Yarn
Berroco Pure Pima [100% pima cotton; 115 yd/105 m per 50g skein]; color: Nectar; 5[6, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10] skeins


Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below -- every knitter's gauge is unique]
1 set US #6/4mm straight needles
1 extra straight or double-point needle, US #6/4mm or smaller (used for holding sts during three-needle bind off)

Notions
Yarn needle
Stitch markers
Stitch holders

GAUGE

PATTERN NOTES
[Knitty's list of standard abbreviations and techniques can be found here.]

DIRECTIONS
BACK
CO 75[82, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130] sts.

Beginning with a RS row, work 7 rows in stockinette st. These rows will form the hem facing.

K 1 WS row to form turning ridge for hem.

Work in stockinette st until work measures 15[15, 15, 15.5, 15.5, 16, 16] inches from turning ridge or desired length to underarm, ending with a RS row.

Shape Armholes:
BO 3[4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9] sts at beginning of next 2 rows. 69[74, 80, 88, 96, 104, 112] sts.

Next Row [WS]: P2, p2tog, p to last 4 sts, p2tog tbl, p2. 67[72, 78, 86, 94, 102, 110] sts.

Armhole Decrease Row [RS]: Sl 1 knitwise with yarn held to back of work, p1, ssk, k to last 4 sts, k2tog, p1, sl 1 knitwise with yarn held to back of work.

P 1 row.

Repeat these 2 rows 3[4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11] times more. 59[62, 66, 70, 76, 80, 86] sts.

Continue in stockinette st, working 2 sts at each edge as set, until work measures
6.5[7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 8.75, 9] inches from beginning of armhole, ending with a WS row.

Next Row [RS]: K9[9, 10, 10, 11, 12, 13] and slip these sts to st holder; k41[44, 46, 50, 54, 56, 60]; do not knit to end of row. Place last 9[9, 10, 10, 11, 12, 13] sts on st holder. 41[44, 46, 50, 54, 56, 60] sts on needle.

K 1 WS row to form turning ridge for neckline facing.
Work 4 rows in stockinette st. BO all sts.

FRONT
Work as for back until work measures 13[13, 13, 13.5, 13.5, 14, 14] inches from turning ridge or 2 inches less than back to underarm, ending with a WS row.

Note: Read ahead! Armhole shaping begins before draped neckline shaping is complete.

Draped Neckline Shaping:
Next Row [RS]: K25[27, 30, 33, 36, 40, 43], place marker, m1, k25[28, 30, 34, 38, 40, 44], m1, place marker, k25[27, 30, 33, 36, 40, 43]. 77[84, 92, 102, 112, 122, 132] sts.

P 1 row.

Next Row [RS]: K to marker, slip marker, m1, k to next marker, m1, slip marker, k to end.

Repeat these 2 rows 11[12, 13, 15, 17, 18, 20] times more. 51[56, 60, 68, 76, 80, 88] sts between markers.

AT THE SAME TIME:
When work measures same as back to armholes, shape armholes as for back.

When all neckline and armhole shaping is complete, there wil be 85[90, 96, 104, 114, 120, 130] sts.

Continue in stockinette st, working 2 sts at each edge as set, until work measures
6.5[7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 8.75, 9] inches from beginning of armhole, ending with a WS row.

Next Row [RS]: K9[9, 10, 10, 11, 12, 13] and slip these sts to st holder; k67[72, 76, 84, 92, 96, 104]; do not knit to end of row. Place last 9[9, 10, 10, 11, 12, 13] sts on st holder. 67[72, 76, 84, 92, 96, 104] sts on needle.

K 1 WS row to form turning ridge for neckline facing.
Work 10 rows in stockinette st. BO all sts.

FINISHING
Join shoulders using three-needle bind off. Sew side seams. Sew hem facing and front and back neckline facings to WS of work, taking care not to sew too tightly.
Weave in ends and block as desired.

Beautia lives in Pittsburgh. When she’s not knitting, she’s either baking or playing Team Fortress 2.

Her knitting and other crafty projects can be found on her blog.