purlJam

# Breezy Boat Neck Tank

A beginner-friendly sleeveless top with a flattering wide boat neckline. Worked flat in two simple pieces and seamed, with ribbed edges picked up at the end for a polished finish. Perfect first garment project!

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## Sizes

XS (S, M, L, XL)
To fit bust: 76-81 (86-91, 96-101, 106-112, 117-122) cm / 30-32 (34-36, 38-40, 42-44, 46-48)"

**Finished bust:** 84 (94, 100, 116, 128) cm / 33 (37, 39½, 45¾, 50½)"
**Finished length:** 53 (54, 55, 56, 57) cm / 21 (21¼, 21¾, 22, 22½)"

*Pattern written for size M; other sizes in parentheses. Sample shown is size M with ~4 cm / 1½" positive ease.*

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## Materials

- **Yarn:** Worsted weight (Aran), approx. 360 (410, 460, 540, 620) metres / 395 (450, 500, 590, 680) yards. Cotton or cotton/linen blend recommended for summer drape.
- **Needles:** 4.5 mm (UK 7 / US 7) straight or circular needles for main fabric
- **Needles:** 4 mm (UK 8 / US 6) needles for ribbed edges
- **Notions:** 
  - Stitch holders or waste yarn
  - Yarn needle for seaming
  - Tape measure
  - Stitch markers (optional)

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## Tension (Gauge)

**18 sts × 24 rows = 10 cm / 4"** in stocking stitch on 4.5 mm needles, after blocking.

*Please take time to check your tension — it determines the finished fit.*

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## Abbreviations

- **k** – knit
- **p** – purl
- **st(s)** – stitch(es)
- **RS** – right side
- **WS** – wrong side
- **k2tog** – knit 2 stitches together (1 st decreased)
- **ssk** – slip, slip, knit (1 st decreased)
- **rep** – repeat
- **rem** – remaining
- **cast off** – bind off

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## Stitch Patterns

**1×1 Rib (over an even number of sts):**
- Row 1 (RS): *k1, p1; rep from * to end.
- Row 2 (WS): *p1, k1; rep from * to end.

**Stocking Stitch:**
- Row 1 (RS): knit.
- Row 2 (WS): purl.

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## BACK

With 4 mm needles, cast on **76 (84, 90, 104, 116)** sts.

**Ribbed hem:**
Work in 1×1 rib for 5 cm / 2", ending with a WS row.

Change to 4.5 mm needles.

**Body:**
Beginning with a knit (RS) row, work in stocking stitch until piece measures **35 cm / 13¾"** from cast-on edge, ending with a WS row.

*Check: piece should now measure ~35 cm. Length to underarm complete.*

### Shape Armholes

**Row 1 (RS):** Cast off 4 sts, knit to end. — 72 (80, 86, 100, 112) sts
**Row 2 (WS):** Cast off 4 sts, purl to end. — 68 (76, 82, 96, 108) sts

**Decrease rows:**
**Row 3 (RS):** k1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. — 2 sts decreased
**Row 4 (WS):** purl.

Repeat rows 3-4 a further **3 (3, 3, 4, 5)** times. — **60 (68, 74, 86, 96) sts** rem

*Check (size M): 82 − (2 × 4) = 74 sts ✓*

**Work even:**
Continue in stocking stitch without shaping until armhole measures **20 (20, 20, 21, 21) cm / 8 (8, 8, 8¼, 8¼)"**, measured straight up from start of armhole shaping, ending with a WS row.

### Shape Shoulders & Boat Neckline

The boat neck is created by simply casting off all stitches across in a slightly shaped manner — there is no separate neckline to shape.

**Row 1 (RS):** Cast off 5 (6, 6, 8, 9) sts, knit to end.
**Row 2 (WS):** Cast off 5 (6, 6, 8, 9) sts, purl to end.
**Row 3 (RS):** Cast off 6 (6, 6, 8, 9) sts, knit to end.
**Row 4 (WS):** Cast off 6 (6, 6, 8, 9) sts, purl to end.

— **38 (44, 50, 54, 60) sts** rem.

Cast off remaining sts loosely for the back neck.

*Check (size M): 74 − (2×6) − (2×6) = 50 sts cast off as neck ✓*

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## FRONT

Work exactly as for Back. The boat neck construction means the front and back are identical — this is what creates the characteristic wide, shallow neckline when seamed.

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## FINISHING

### Blocking

Weave in all yarn ends except cast-on and cast-off tails (which may be used for seaming). Wet-block both pieces to schematic measurements, pinning to shape. Allow to dry completely. **Do not skip this step** — it evens out stitches and makes seaming much easier.

### Shoulder Seams

With RS together (or using mattress stitch with RS facing), seam **11 (12, 12, 16, 18) sts** at each outer edge of the shoulders, leaving the central **38 (44, 50, 54, 60) sts** open across the top — this forms the boat neckline.

*Check (size M): 12 sts each shoulder + 50 sts neck = 74 sts total. ✓*

### Neckband

With 4 mm needles and RS facing, beginning at one shoulder seam, pick up and knit approximately:
- Across back neck: **38 (44, 50, 54, 60)** sts
- Across front neck: **38 (44, 50, 54, 60)** sts

Total: **76 (88, 100, 108, 120)** sts. Place a marker and join to work in the round.

Work in 1×1 rib for 2.5 cm / 1". Cast off loosely in rib.

### Side Seams

With RS together, sew side seams from underarm down to hem using mattress stitch or whip stitch.

### Armhole Bands

With 4 mm needles and RS facing, beginning at underarm seam, pick up and knit approximately **72 (76, 80, 84, 88)** sts evenly around armhole opening. Place marker and join in the round.

Work in 1×1 rib for 2.5 cm / 1". Cast off loosely in rib.

Repeat for second armhole.

### Final Steps

Weave in any remaining ends. Give the finished top a final gentle steam or wet-block to settle the bands.

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## Schematic Measurements (Size M)

| Measurement | cm | inches |
|---|---|---|
| Bust (flat, one piece) | 50 | 19¾ |
| Length to underarm | 35 | 13¾ |
| Armhole depth | 20 | 8 |
| Shoulder width (each) | 7 | 2¾ |
| Neck opening (flat) | 28 | 11 |
| Total length | 55 | 21¾ |

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## Beginner Tips

1. **Count your stitches** at the end of every shaping row — it's far easier to catch mistakes early.
2. **Use a row counter** during armhole shaping so you don't lose track of decrease rows.
3. **Loose cast-off** at the neckline is essential — if your cast-off feels tight, use a needle one size larger for that step.
4. **Mattress stitch** is invisible and much easier than it looks — find a quick video tutorial before seaming.
5. The boat neck will naturally widen and drape beautifully once worn — don't worry if it looks narrow when first off the needles.

Enjoy your finished top! 🧶