Chaos Tankini

Fitted Tank Top + Boxer Shorts Bottoms

Skill Level: Beginner
Size: One size to fit bust 38″ (38D), waist 38″, hips 44″, height 4′11″
Finished Measurements (blocked, unstretched):

• Top: bust circumference 38″, underbust/waist 34″, length shoulder to hem 16″, strap width 2.5″
• Bottoms: waist 30.5″ (ribbing stretches to 38″), hip 42″, front rise 7.5″, back rise 9″ (after short rows), inseam 3″

Yarn: Worsted weight (category 4), approx. 650 yd (595 m) total — 300 yd top + 350 yd bottoms. Solid or “chaos” variegated/self-striping cotton or cotton-blend recommended for wear and drape.
Needles: US 7 (4.5 mm) and US 8 (5 mm) 24–32″ circulars; DPNs or magic-loop for legs/straps; spare needle or waste yarn for holders.
Notions: Stitch markers, stitch holders/waste yarn, tapestry needle, optional 1″ elastic (38″ length) for waistband casing, row counter.
Gauge: 20 sts and 28 rows/rnds = 4″ (10 cm) in Stockinette stitch on larger needles, blocked. Adjust needle size to match gauge — fit depends on it.

Abbreviations (US)

CO = cast on; BO = bind off; k = knit; p = purl; st(s) = stitch(es); rnd(s) = round(s); RS/WS = right/wrong side; pm = place marker; sm = slip marker; M1L = make 1 left (lift bar from front to back, k tbl); M1R = make 1 right (lift bar from back to front, k); k2tog = knit 2 together; ssk = slip-slip-knit; w&t = wrap and turn (German short-row friendly: knit to point, turn, slip 1 purlwise with yarn over for double st); St st = Stockinette (k all rnds in round; k RS / p WS flat).

BOTTOMS — Fitted Boxer Shorts

(Top-down, seamless)

1. Waistband

With smaller needles and stretchy long-tail CO, CO 152 sts. Pm and join to work in the rnd, being careful not to twist.
Work 1×1 rib (k1, p1) for 2″ (approx. 14 rnds).

Waistband Finish — choose one:

• Option A (rib cuff): Continue rib to 2.5″ total, then later use stretchy BO.
• Option B (elastic casing): Work 1.25″ rib, purl 1 rnd (fold line), work 1.25″ more rib. Later fold to inside and sew casing, leaving 2″ gap to insert 1″ elastic cut to 36–37″, overlap 1″, sew closed.

2. Body Shaping (Hips & Rise)

Change to larger needles. Knit 1 rnd (St st).
Hip increases (to 210 sts):
Rnd 1: *k19, M1L; rep from * to last 0 sts (8 incs) — 160 sts.
Rnd 2 (and all even): knit.
Rnd 3: *k20, M1L; rep from * (8 incs) — 168 sts.
Rnd 5: *k21, M1L; rep from * (8 incs) — 176 sts.
Rnd 7: *k22, M1L; rep from * (8 incs) — 184 sts.
Rnd 9: *k23, M1L; rep from * (8 incs) — 192 sts.
Rnd 11: *k24, M1L; rep from * (8 incs) — 200 sts.
Rnd 13: *k25, M1L; rep from * (8 incs) — 208 sts.
Rnd 15: k104, M1L, k104, M1L — 210 sts.
(210 sts = 42″ at gauge ✓)

Knit even in St st until piece measures 4″ from end of rib (or desired depth before seat).

Seat Shaping (German Short Rows — beginner-friendly version):
Work across back half only for extra rise.
Short-row 1 (RS): k105 (back sts), w&t.
Short-row 2 (WS): p90, w&t.
Short-row 3: k80, w&t.
Short-row 4: p70, w&t.
Short-row 5: k60, w&t.
Short-row 6: p50, w&t.
Next rnd: knit all the way around, resolving wraps/double sts by knitting them together with their wraps as you meet them. Back rise is now ~1.5″ deeper.

Continue even in St st until front rise measures 7.5″ from end of rib (back will be ~9″).

3. Crotch Division & Gusset

Place first 105 sts on holder (Left Leg). Remaining 105 sts = Right Leg working set.
Using backward-loop or provisional CO, CO 8 sts for crotch. Join to work Right Leg in the rnd (105 + 8 = 113 sts). Pm at start of rnd (inner thigh).

4. Legs

Right Leg:
Knit 4 rnds even.
Optional gentle taper (recommended for fitted look):
Dec rnd: k1, k2tog, k to last 3 sts, ssk, k1 (2 sts dec).
Rep Dec rnd every 4th rnd twice more — 107 sts.
Work even until leg measures 2.5″ from crotch CO.
Change to smaller needles; work 1×1 rib for 0.5″ (4 rnds). Stretchy BO in rib.

Left Leg:
Return 105 held sts to larger needles. Pick up and knit 8 sts along crotch CO edge (or unzip provisional and knit live sts). 113 sts. Join to work in rnd.
Work identical to Right Leg, including optional decreases to 107 sts, length, rib, and stretchy BO.

5. Finishing (Bottoms)

Weave in all ends. Block gently to measurements (hip 42″, rise as given, legs 3″). If Option B waistband, insert elastic, sew casing closed, and secure ends.

TOP — Chaos Tank

(Bottom-up, mostly seamless)

Underbust / Body

With smaller needles, CO 170 sts. Pm, join in rnd. Work 1×1 rib for 1.5″.
Change to larger needles. Knit 2 rnds.
Bust increases (to 190 sts for 38″):
Inc rnd: *k17, M1L; rep from * to end (10 incs) — 180 sts.
Knit 3 rnds.
Inc rnd: *k18, M1L; rep from * to end (10 incs) — 190 sts. (38″ ✓)
Work even in St st until piece measures 8″ from CO (underarm depth scaled for 4′11″ / 38D coverage).

Divide for Armholes

Next rnd: k95 (front), place next 95 sts on holder (back).
Working flat on Front 95 sts only:

Front:
Row 1 (RS): BO 4 sts, k to end.
Row 2 (WS): BO 4 sts, p to end — 87 sts.
Row 3: k1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
Row 4: p.
Rep Rows 3–4 twice more — 81 sts.
Work even in St st until armhole measures 5.5″, ending after WS row.

Neck shaping:
Next RS: k25, join second ball, BO center 31 sts, k25.
Working both sides separately:
At each neck edge, dec 1 st every RS row 3 times (k1, ssk at left neck; k2tog, k1 at right neck) — 22 sts each strap.
Work even until armhole measures 7.5″ total. Place 22 sts each side on holders.

Back:
Return 95 held sts to needle. Rejoin yarn.
BO 4 sts at beg of next 2 rows — 87 sts.
Dec 1 st each side every RS row 3 times as for front — 81 sts.
Work even until armhole measures 7″.
Back neck: k24, join second ball, BO center 33 sts, k24.
Dec 1 st at each neck edge every RS row twice — 22 sts each strap.
Work until armhole matches Front (7.5″).

Straps

Place Right Front 22 sts and Right Back 22 sts on larger needle (or work each strap separately then join).
Work St st flat (or join and work in rnd for tube) for 2″ more, then graft or 3-needle BO Front to Back strap (22 sts).
Repeat for Left strap.
*(Alternate beginner method: BO all 22 sts each side, then pick up 12 sts along each front shoulder edge and work i-cord or flat St st strap 10″ long; sew to back.)

Finishing (Top)

Weave in ends. Pick up sts evenly around neckline (~110–120 sts) and armholes (~70 sts each) with smaller needles; work 4 rnds/rows 1×1 rib; stretchy BO. Block to finished measurements, pinning bust circumference and strap length.

Wear notes: Snug knit fabric has natural stretch — try on as you go for the 38D cup and 4′11″ torso. “Chaos” looks best in variegated yarn or bold color-blocked stripes every 2″ if desired (just carry yarn up). Hand wash, lay flat.

Schematic key dimensions (inches):
Bottoms — waist rib 30.5 (stretches 38), hip 42, front rise 7.5, back rise 9, leg opening circ ~21, inseam 3.
Top — hem/underbust 34, bust 38, armhole depth 7.5, neck width 6.5, total length 16, strap 2.5 wide × ~10 long.

All stitch arithmetic verified inline: waist CO 152 → hip 210 (58 incs) ✓; crotch 8 → leg start 113 ✓; top CO 170 → bust 190 (20 incs) ✓; strap ends 22 = 22 ✓.