Baby Blue Breeze Tank Top

A relaxed, hip-length tank with vertical ribbing, a square neckline, and adjustable tie-bow straps

Skill Level: Easy Design: Worked as two flat rectangular panels in sideways back-loop half double crochet, creating clean vertical ribs. Panels are seamed at the sides, and thin crocheted ties join the shoulders in dainty bows at the front.

Materials

• Yarn: Worsted weight (Medium / #4), soft cotton or cotton-blend recommended for drape.
  • Color: Baby Blue (used throughout, including straps)
  • Yardage by size:

    Size	Approx. Yardage
    XS	550 yds
    S	620 yds
    M	700 yds
    L	790 yds
    XL	880 yds
    2XL	980 yds
    3XL	1090 yds
    4XL	1200 yds
    5XL	1320 yds

• Hook: US H/8 (5.0 mm) — or size needed to match gauge
• Notions: Tapestry needle, scissors, stitch markers, measuring tape

Gauge

In back-loop-only (BLO) half double crochet: 14 sts × 12 rows = 4" (10 cm)

• Stitch gauge: 3.5 sts per inch
• Row gauge: 3 rows per inch

IMPORTANT: Because panels are worked sideways, the stitch count controls the panel HEIGHT and the row count controls the panel WIDTH. Take a moment to check your gauge — it changes fit significantly.

Sizes (XS–5XL)

Designed for a relaxed, straight fit with approx. 2–4" of positive ease.

Converted to stitch/row counts (using gauge above):

Foundation chain = Working sts + 1 (turning chain does NOT count as a stitch — see notes). Math check (XS): 77 sts ÷ 3.5 = 22" height ✓ ; 48 rows ÷ 3 = 16" width ✓ ; two 16" panels = 32" bust ✓.

Abbreviations (US Terms)

• ch — chain
• st(s) — stitch(es)
• hdc — half double crochet
• BLO — back loop only
• sl st — slip stitch
• rep — repeat
• RS / WS — right side / wrong side

Pattern Notes

• Construction: Two identical rectangular panels (Front and Back) are worked sideways in BLO hdc. The BLO creates the vertical rib texture. Panels are seamed at the sides. The top edge of each panel is split into two shoulder tabs to form the square neckline. Straps are crocheted separately and tied into bows.
• Turning chain: Each row begins with ch 2, which does NOT count as a stitch. Work your first hdc into the first stitch.
• All hdc are worked in the BACK LOOP ONLY, except the foundation row (work into the chain normally).
• Stitch counts are given in parentheses at the end of each row.
• Panels are identical (front = back), which keeps this an easy pattern.

Special Notes on the Square Neckline

The neckline is formed by leaving a flat gap between two shoulder tabs at the top of each panel.

Shoulder tab width (per side): worked over the first / last portion of rows; the center is left unworked to form the square neck.

Check (XS): 14 + 20 + 14 = 48 total rows ✓ Check (M): 16 + 28 + 16 = 60 total rows ✓ Check (5XL): 25 + 46 + 25 = 96 total rows ✓

The shoulder tabs are worked to a shorter height than the body so the neckline sits comfortably. Tabs are worked at ~40 sts tall (approx. 11.5") for all sizes; adjust as desired for strap placement.

Instructions

PANEL (Make 2 — Front and Back are identical)

Foundation: Ch [Foundation Ch for your size].

Row 1 (RS): Working into the back bumps/loops of the chain, hdc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn. Stitch count = Working Sts for your size.

• XS (77), S (79), M (80), L (82), XL (84), 2XL (86), 3XL (87), 4XL (89), 5XL (91)

Row 2: Ch 2 (does not count as st), hdc in BLO of each st across. Turn. (same count)

Rows 3 to [last full-body row]: Rep Row 2.

Continue in BLO hdc until you have worked the number of rows equal to ONE shoulder tab width for your size (see neckline table).

• XS: work Rows 1–14 · S: 1–15 · M: 1–16 · L: 1–18 · XL: 1–20 · 2XL: 1–21 · 3XL: 1–22 · 4XL: 1–24 · 5XL: 1–25.

Do NOT fasten off. You will now split for the neckline.

First Shoulder Tab

You are now at the edge where the square neckline begins.

Next Row: Ch 2, hdc in BLO across the first 40 sts only (shoulder tab height). Turn, leaving remaining sts unworked. (40 sts)

Continue working these 40 sts in BLO hdc for the same number of rows as one shoulder tab width for your size (matching the count above so both edges align).

Fasten off, leaving a 6" tail.

Center Neckline (skip section)

Rejoin yarn (or simply carry across the base row if preferred) at the base of the unworked center stitches. The center opening spans the number of center neck rows for your size (see table) and is left open to form the square neck.

Tip: For the cleanest square corner, work the shoulder tabs first and leave the center completely unworked at full body height. This creates the crisp right-angle square neckline shown in the inspiration piece.

Second Shoulder Tab

With RS facing, rejoin yarn to the top edge of the last center stitch.

Next Row: Ch 2, hdc in BLO across the final 40 sts (mirroring the first tab). Turn. (40 sts)

Work in BLO hdc for the same number of rows as the first shoulder tab.

Fasten off, leaving a 6" tail.

Repeat the entire PANEL instructions for the second panel.

Assembly

1. Block both panels lightly to even out the ribbing and square the edges. Pin to finished dimensions from the size chart.
2. Side seams: With RS together, align the two panels. Using the tapestry needle and a whip stitch (or sl st seam), sew each side seam from the bottom hem upward, stopping 8" (armhole depth) below the shoulder tabs. This leaves the armholes open.
   • Armhole opening depth: 8" for all sizes. Adjust up to 9–10" for a looser fit.
3. Leave the shoulder tabs unseamed — they will connect via the tie straps.

Strap Construction (Make 4 ties)

Each shoulder is joined by two ties (one from the front tab, one from the back tab) that knot into a bow. Make 4 total.

Each Tie: Ch 61 (approx. 17" long — generous for a full bow). Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (60 sc) Fasten off, leaving an 8" tail.

Check: 60 sc ÷ 3.5 ≈ 17" ✓. Lengthen or shorten in multiples of ~3–4 ch to adjust bow size.

Attach straps:

1. Sew one tie securely to the top corner of each front shoulder tab.
2. Sew one tie securely to the top corner of each back shoulder tab.
3. To wear: bring the front and back tie on each shoulder together and tie into a neat bow. This makes the straps fully adjustable.

Optional Edging (for extra-clean edges)

Neckline & Armholes: With RS facing, join yarn and work 1 round of sc evenly around each opening (neckline and both armholes), working approx. 3 sc per inch. Sl st to join, fasten off. This crisps up the square neck and armhole edges.

Hem: The BLO hdc gives a naturally straight hem — no edging required, but a single row of sc across the bottom is optional.

Finishing

1. Weave in all ends securely with the tapestry needle.
2. Give the finished tank a final light steam-block to relax the ribbing and set the straight hem.
3. Try on and adjust the bow ties to your preferred shoulder height for a perfect relaxed fit.

Final Fit Verification (XS example)

• Panel height 77 sts ÷ 3.5 = 22" ✓
• Panel width 48 rows ÷ 3 = 16" → two panels = 32" bust ✓
• Neckline rows: 14 + 20 + 14 = 48 ✓
• Armhole depth: 8" open ✓

Enjoy your Baby Blue Breeze Tank — a breezy, ribbed staple with sweet tie-bow shoulders!