Breezy Mesh V-Neck Tank Top

A lightweight, elegant summer tank with a V-neckline, center-front tie closure, and wide shoulder straps

SKILL LEVEL

Easy / Advanced Beginner → Intermediate

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Designed with 2–4 in (5–10 cm) of positive ease for a slightly fitted, straight silhouette ending at the hips.

MATERIALS

• Yarn: DK / light worsted weight cotton (100% cotton or cotton blend for breathability and drape). Category 3 (Light).
• Yardage (approximate total):

(Add ~10% for the tie and edging; buy an extra skein for safety.)

• Hook: US G / 4.0 mm for body. US 7 / 3.5 mm for reinforced edging (tighter, neater border).
• Notions: Tapestry needle, stitch markers, scissors, rustproof pins, blocking mat.

GAUGE

In mesh pattern, using 4.0 mm hook, after blocking:

• 18 sts (9 ch-1 spaces) = 4 in (10 cm)
• 12 rows = 4 in (10 cm)

Make a gauge swatch: Chain 23 and work the mesh pattern for 15 rows. Block, then measure. Matching gauge is essential for correct fit.

STITCH ABBREVIATIONS (US Terms)

• ch — chain
• st(s) — stitch(es)
• sl st — slip stitch
• sc — single crochet
• dc — double crochet
• sp(s) — space(s)
• sk — skip
• rep — repeat
• RS / WS — right side / wrong side
• dc2tog — double crochet 2 together (decrease)

STITCH PATTERN — Open Mesh

Multiple of 2 sts + 1.

• Set-up (RS): dc in 4th ch from hook (counts as first dc + sp), ch 1, sk 1, dc in next ch; rep across.
• Pattern Row: ch 3 (counts as dc), turn, dc in first dc, ch 1, sk 1 ch-sp, dc in next dc; rep across, ending dc in top of turning ch.

Each “ch 1, dc” unit = 1 mesh cell. Count stitches as total sts (dc + ch); all counts below are total stitches and are always odd (2 × cells + 1).

CONSTRUCTION NOTES

Worked in two flat panels (Back and Front) bottom-up. The Front splits at the center for the V-neck and tie closure. Panels are seamed at the sides and shoulders, then finished with a reinforced single-crochet border around neckline, armholes, and hem.

BACK PANEL

Foundation & Hem Set-up

With 4.0 mm hook, chain the following (chain count = panel sts + 2 for turning):

Row 1 (RS): dc in 4th ch from hook, ch 1, sk 1, dc in next ch; rep across. → total sts as table.

Math check (M): 91 sts = 45 cells × 2 + 1 = 91 ✓. 45 cells ÷ 9 cells/4in = 20 in half-bust = 40 in bust ✓.

Rows 2 to underarm: Work Pattern Row. Repeat until panel measures 14 in (35.5 cm) from foundation (adjust here to lengthen/shorten the body). Rows to underarm ≈ 14 in × 12 rows/4 in = 42 rows total.

Armhole Shaping (Back)

Decrease at both edges. To decrease 1 cell each side, work a dc2tog over the first mesh unit (skip its ch-1), then continue in pattern; end by working dc2tog over the last unit.

Dec Row (RS): ch 3, turn, dc2tog over first dc and next dc (working across the ch-sp), ch 1, sk sp, dc in next dc to last 3 sts, dc2tog over last 2 dc, ending dc in turning ch. → removes 1 cell each side (4 sts total).

Repeat the Dec Row every RS row the number of times shown, then work even in pattern:

Math check (M): 91 − (2 cells/dec × 4 decs × 2 sts) = 91 − 16 = 75 sts ✓ (37 cells).

Continue even in pattern until armhole measures full depth (see size table, e.g. M = 8 in / ~24 rows above the split).

Back Neck & Shoulders

Work even to the top. The wide straps are simply the outer cells of each shoulder.

Divide for straps (final row): Work in pattern across the first shoulder-width cells, fasten off; sk the center cells (back neck); rejoin and work the remaining shoulder cells.

Strap width M = 7 cells ≈ 3 in — bra-friendly ✓. Fasten off.

FRONT PANEL

Work exactly as the Back Panel through the foundation, body, and armhole shaping (same counts).

V-Neck Shaping (Front)

The V begins immediately after completing armhole shaping so the point sits at a flattering depth (~7–8 in below the shoulder). The panel is now split into Left Front and Right Front, worked separately. The two inner edges frame the center-front tie opening.

Divide row (RS): Work in pattern across the first half of the cells (see table) for the Right Front (as worn); leave the remaining cells unworked. Turn and work the Right Front only.

Math check (M): 37 cells total after shaping = 18 + 18 + 1 center dc shared → each side keeps 18 cells; the center single dc becomes the neck edge. ✓

Right Front — Neck Decreases

Decrease 1 cell at the neck edge (center) every RS row until the shoulder strap count remains:

Neck Dec Row: ch 3, turn, work in pattern to last 3 sts before neck edge, dc2tog over last 2 dc. Turn. → 1 cell decreased at neck.

Continue decreasing 1 cell every RS row until you reach the strap cell count for your size (same as Back straps):

Once at strap width, work even until the Front strap matches the Back strap length (armhole reaches full depth). Fasten off.

Left Front

Rejoin yarn to the unworked center cells with RS facing. Work as a mirror image: place neck decreases at the neck edge (dc2tog over the first 2 dc after the turning ch) every RS row until the strap cell count remains, then work even to match. Fasten off.

ASSEMBLY

1. Block all panels first (see Blocking) — mesh opens up and edges straighten, making seaming accurate.
2. Shoulder seams: With RS together, whip stitch or sl st each Front strap to its matching Back strap.
3. Side seams: With RS together, seam from hem up to the underarm (armhole edge) using whip stitch or sc seam. Leave armholes open.
4. Weave in the seam tails.

REINFORCED EDGING

Use the smaller 3.5 mm hook for a firm, neat border. Work RS facing.

Neckline & V-Edge (worked as one continuous round)

Start at the base of the V (center front point).

• Round 1: sc evenly around the entire neckline — up the right V-edge, across the back neck, down the left V-edge, working 1 sc per row-end / per st, and 3 sc into the deep V point to keep it flat. Do not join yet if adding ties (see below); otherwise sl st to join. Fasten off if joined.
• Round 2 (optional picot): sc in next 3 sc, ch 3, sl st in first ch (picot); rep around. Join, fasten off.

Armhole Edging (both armholes)

• Round 1: Join at underarm seam, sc evenly around the armhole opening, working ~2 sc per 3 row-ends so the edge lies flat and slightly firms the strap. Sl st to join.
• Round 2: sc in each sc around. Sl st to join. Fasten off.

Firm armhole edging supports the wide straps and prevents stretching.

Hem Edging

• Round 1: Join at a side seam, sc evenly across the foundation edge, 1 sc per st/cell. Sl st to join.
• Round 2: Reverse single crochet (crab stitch) OR a simple sc round for a clean finish. Fasten off.

CENTER FRONT TIES

The ties gather and close the V-neckline.

1. Work Round 1 of the neckline sc edging first (do not fasten off the V-edges).
2. At the top of each V-edge (where the neck edge meets the strap), or at a chosen closure point ~2 in down from the strap, attach a tie:
   • Tie: Join yarn, ch 60 (about 12 in / 30 cm — adjust for a longer bow). Turn, sl st back in each ch to make a firm cord (or sc back across). Fasten off.
3. Make a second tie in the mirror position on the opposite V-edge.
4. To wear: cross the ties and tie a bow or knot at the center to draw the V closed as desired.

Optional: work both ties longer (ch 80) for a lace-up crisscross effect down the V.

BLOCKING

1. Soak the finished top (and swatch) in cool water with a little wool wash for 15 minutes.
2. Gently squeeze out water — do not wring. Roll in a towel to remove excess.
3. Pin to finished measurements on a blocking mat, opening up the mesh cells evenly and squaring the hem, armholes, and straps.
4. Pin the V-neck to a crisp point. Let dry completely.
5. Weave in any remaining ends before or after blocking; trim.

CUSTOMIZATION QUICK GUIDE

• Longer/shorter body: Add or remove rows before the underarm (12 rows = 4 in). Adjust yarn accordingly.
• Deeper V: Begin neck decreases higher (before armhole shaping is complete) or space decreases every RS row more slowly for a shallower V.
• Wider straps: Keep 1–2 more cells at each shoulder; ensure Front and Back match.
• Firmer fit: Go down a hook size for the body; more drape: go up a hook size.

FINAL MATH VALIDATION (Size M example)

• Foundation 93 ch → Row 1 = 91 sts = 45 cells → 45 ÷ 9 cells/4in = 20 in half-bust → 40 in finished bust ✓ (matches table).
• Armhole: 4 decs × 2 cells = 8 cells removed → 45 − 8 = 37 cells / 75 sts ✓.
• Shoulders: 2 straps × 7 cells (14 cells) + back neck 22 cells = 36 cells; +1 shared edge ≈ 37 cells ✓.
• Length: 14 in body + 8 in armhole ≈ 22 in ✓ (matches table).
• Strap width: 7 cells × (4 in / 9 cells) ≈ 3.1 in — bra-friendly ✓.

Enjoy your breezy, elegant summer tank!