purlJam

# Baby Striped Tank Top
**Beginner Knitting Pattern**

## MATERIALS
- **Yarn:** Worsted weight (4) yarn
  - Color A (Main): 200 yards
  - Color B (Contrast): 100 yards
- **Needles:** US Size 8 (5.0mm) straight needles
- **Notions:** 
  - Tapestry needle for seaming
  - Stitch markers
  - Scissors

## SIZES
- **6 months:** Chest 20", Length 10"
- **12 months:** Chest 22", Length 11"
- **18 months:** Chest 24", Length 12"

*Instructions are given for 6 months with 12 and 18 months in parentheses*

## GAUGE
**18 stitches and 24 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch**
*Always make a gauge swatch! Adjust needle size if necessary to achieve gauge.*

## ABBREVIATIONS
- **CO:** Cast on
- **K:** Knit
- **P:** Purl
- **St st:** Stockinette stitch (knit RS rows, purl WS rows)
- **RS:** Right side
- **WS:** Wrong side
- **BO:** Bind off
- **Dec:** Decrease
- **K2tog:** Knit 2 stitches together

## STRIPE PATTERN
- **4 rows Color A**
- **2 rows Color B**
- **Repeat throughout**

## INSTRUCTIONS

### BACK
**Cast On:** With Color A, CO 45 (50, 54) sts.

**Hem:** Work in garter stitch (knit every row) for 6 rows.

**Body:** Change to stockinette stitch and begin stripe pattern:
- Rows 1-4: Color A, work in st st
- Rows 5-6: Color B, work in st st
- Continue stripe pattern until piece measures 6 (6.5, 7)" from cast-on edge, ending with a completed stripe.

**Armhole Shaping:**
- Row 1 (RS): BO 3 sts at beginning of next 2 rows. 39 (44, 48) sts remain.
- Continue in stripe pattern until armhole measures 4 (4.5, 5)", ending with WS row.

**Shoulder and Neck Shaping:**
- Row 1 (RS): K12 (14, 16), BO center 15 (16, 16) sts, K12 (14, 16).
- Working each shoulder separately:
  - BO 4 (5, 5) sts at shoulder edge twice.
  - BO remaining 4 (4, 6) sts.

### FRONT
Work same as back until armhole measures 2.5 (3, 3.5)", ending with WS row.

**Neck Shaping:**
- Row 1 (RS): K16 (18, 20), BO center 7 (8, 8) sts, K16 (18, 20).

**Left Shoulder:**
- Row 2 (WS): P to last 2 sts, P2tog.
- Row 3 (RS): K2tog, K to end.
- Row 4 (WS): P across.
- Row 5 (RS): K2tog, K to end.
- Continue decreasing 1 st at neck edge every RS row until 12 (14, 16) sts remain.
- Work even until armhole measures same as back.

**Shoulder Shaping:**
- BO 4 (5, 5) sts at shoulder edge twice.
- BO remaining 4 (4, 6) sts.

**Right Shoulder:**
- Row 2 (WS): P2tog, P to end.
- Row 3 (RS): K to last 2 sts, K2tog.
- Row 4 (WS): P across.
- Row 5 (RS): K to last 2 sts, K2tog.
- Continue decreasing 1 st at neck edge every RS row until 12 (14, 16) sts remain.
- Work even until armhole measures same as back.

**Shoulder Shaping:**
- BO 4 (5, 5) sts at shoulder edge twice.
- BO remaining 4 (4, 6) sts.

## FINISHING

### Assembly
1. **Sew Shoulders:** With tapestry needle and matching yarn, sew shoulder seams using mattress stitch.

2. **Sew Side Seams:** Sew side seams from bottom hem to armhole, matching stripes.

### Neck Edging
- With Color A and RS facing, pick up and knit 60 (64, 64) sts evenly around neck opening.
- Work 3 rows in garter stitch.
- BO all sts loosely.

### Armhole Edging
- With Color A and RS facing, pick up and knit 54 (60, 66) sts evenly around each armhole.
- Work 3 rows in garter stitch.
- BO all sts loosely.

### Final Steps
- Weave in all loose ends.
- Block gently to measurements.
- Steam lightly if desired.

## CARE INSTRUCTIONS
Machine wash gentle cycle in cool water. Lay flat to dry.

## DESIGNER NOTES
- **Stripe Tip:** When changing colors, always change at the beginning of a RS row for the neatest edge.
- **Seaming Tip:** Pin pieces together before sewing to ensure proper alignment of stripes.
- **Customization:** Feel free to adjust stripe widths - try 6 rows main color, 2 rows contrast, or create your own pattern!
- **Color Ideas:** Soft pastels, bright primaries, or nautical navy and white all work beautifully.

## SKILL BUILDING
This pattern teaches:
- Basic stockinette stitch
- Simple stripe colorwork
- Armhole shaping
- Neck shaping
- Seaming techniques
- Picking up stitches for edging

*Perfect first garment project for building confidence in garment construction!*