purlJam

# Coastal Shells Tank Top

A breezy, feminine tank worked in the timeless shell stitch. The soft, scalloped texture gives an elegant handmade look that's perfect for warm-weather layering or pairing with linen. Constructed from two simple panels and seamed — a relaxing make that's beginner-friendly while looking beautifully refined.

---

## Skill Level
**Easy** — repetitive 2-row shell pattern, basic seaming, simple shaping.

---

## Sizes
Written for size **M**, with notes for adjusting.

| Size | To Fit Bust | Finished Bust |
|------|-------------|---------------|
| S    | 30–32"      | 34"           |
| **M**| 34–36"      | 38"           |
| L    | 38–40"      | 42"           |
| XL   | 42–44"      | 46"           |

**Finished measurements (size M):**
- Bust (relaxed, stretches to fit): ~38"
- Total length: ~22"
- Length to underarm: ~14"
- Armhole depth: ~8"

> *To size up/down: add or remove shell repeats in multiples of 1 (each repeat = ~1.5" / ~3.8 cm). S = 11 repeats, M = 12, L = 13, XL = 14 per panel.*

---

## Materials
- **Yarn:** Worsted weight (#4) cotton or cotton blend, ~900–1100 yds total
  - S: ~850 yds · M: ~950 yds · L: ~1050 yds · XL: ~1150 yds
  - *Coastal palette suggestions: seafoam, sand, soft white, pale sky blue*
- **Hook:** US H/8 (5.0 mm), plus US G/6 (4.0 mm) for edging
- **Notions:** Yarn needle, stitch markers, scissors

---

## Gauge
In shell pattern with H/8 (5.0 mm) hook:
- **1 shell repeat (1 sc + 1 shell) = 1.5" (3.8 cm) wide**
- **4 rows = 2" (5 cm) tall**

> Make a swatch of at least 4 shell repeats (~6" wide) and 8 rows (~4" tall). Gauge accuracy ensures correct fit — shell stitch has gentle horizontal stretch, which is built into the sizing.

---

## Abbreviations (US terms)
- **ch** — chain
- **sc** — single crochet
- **dc** — double crochet
- **st(s)** — stitch(es)
- **sk** — skip
- **sp** — space
- **RS / WS** — right side / wrong side
- **rep** — repeat
- **sl st** — slip stitch

---

## Special Stitch
**Shell:** Work 5 dc all into the same stitch or space.

---

## Pattern Notes
- The tank is worked as **two flat panels** (Front and Back), each identical to the underarm. The Front has a slightly lower neckline. Panels are seamed at sides and shoulders.
- Worked in **rows**, turning at the end of each row.
- **Turning ch-3 counts as the first dc** unless otherwise stated.
- The shell pattern uses a **multiple of 6 sts + 4** (foundation chain).
- Stitch counts are given at the end of each row in parentheses, counted as **(# shells, # sc)**.
- A "shell" sits over an sc of the previous row; an sc sits in the center dc of the previous shell. This alternation creates the scalloped texture.

---

## Foundation & Setup (both panels, size M)
**Chain count:** 12 shell repeats × 6 + 4 = **76 ch**

> Adjust for size: ch = (number of repeats × 6) + 4
> S = 70 ch · **M = 76 ch** · L = 82 ch · XL = 88 ch

---

## BACK PANEL

**Row 1 (RS):** Sc in 2nd ch from hook, *sk 2 ch, shell (5 dc) in next ch, sk 2 ch, sc in next ch; rep from * across. (12 shells, 13 sc)

> *Check: 76 ch − 1 (first sc) = 75 ch remaining. Each repeat consumes 6 ch (sk2, shell, sk2, sc). 75 ÷ 6 = 12 repeats + 3 ch. The final repeat's sc lands in the last ch, giving 12 shells and 13 sc. ✓*

**Row 2 (WS):** Ch 3 (counts as first dc), 2 dc in first sc, *sc in center dc of next shell, shell in next sc; rep from * across, ending with 3 dc in last sc — wait, work as follows: after last shell, sc in center dc of last shell, then 3 dc in last sc. (11 shells + 2 half-shells at edges = 12 shell-units, 12 sc)

Let me restate Row 2 clearly:

**Row 2 (WS):** Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), 2 dc in first sc (half shell at edge), *sc in center dc of next shell, shell in next sc; rep from * to last shell, sc in center dc of last shell, 3 dc in last sc. (12 shells [10 full + 2 edge half-shells], 11 sc)

> *The two half-shells at each edge together equal one full shell, keeping the panel width even and edges straight.*

**Row 3:** Ch 1, sc in first dc, *shell in next sc, sc in center dc of next shell; rep from * across, working final sc in top of turning ch-3. (12 shells, 13 sc)

**Rows 4 onward:** Rep Rows 2–3.

**Continue in pattern** until panel measures **14" (35.5 cm)** from foundation, ending with a Row 3 (a row that ends on full shells, RS facing for next row). This is approximately **28 rows** (14" × 4 rows/2" = 28 rows).

---

### Armhole Shaping (Back)
At the underarm, decrease 1 shell repeat at each side, then work even.

**Next Row (WS – armhole row):** Sl st across first shell (sl st in each of 5 dc + next sc), ch 1, sc in next sc, work in established Row 2 pattern across until 1 full shell repeat remains, sc in next sc; leave last shell unworked, turn. (10 shells, 9 sc)

> *This removes one repeat (1.5") at each side = 3" total reduction across underarm, shaping the armhole.*

**Continue even** in shell pattern (alternating Row 3 and Row 2 style rows) over the remaining 10 shells until armhole measures **8" (20 cm)** from the shaping row — approximately **16 rows**.

**Fasten off.**

> *Back neckline is left straight (no neck shaping) for an easy finish; the seamed shoulders create the shoulder line.*

---

## FRONT PANEL

Work exactly as the Back Panel through the **Armhole Shaping** row, leaving 10 shells.

Work even until armhole measures **5" (12.5 cm)** (~10 rows), ending with RS facing.

### Front Neckline Shaping
Divide for the neck. The center will be left open; work each shoulder separately.

**Right Shoulder:**
**Next Row:** Work in pattern over the first **3 shells**, sc in next sc, turn — leave remaining sts unworked. (3 shells, 4 sc)

Work even over these 3 shells until armhole measures **8" (20 cm)**, matching the Back. **Fasten off.**

**Left Shoulder:**
With RS facing, sk the center **4 shells** (this forms the neckline opening), rejoin yarn with sc in the next sc.
**Next Row:** Work in pattern over the last **3 shells**. (3 shells, 4 sc)

Work even to match the Right Shoulder until armhole measures **8" (20 cm)**. **Fasten off.**

> *Each shoulder = 3 shells (~4.5") wide. Center neck = 4 shells (~6") wide. 3 + 4 + 3 = 10 shells. ✓*

---

## ASSEMBLY

1. **Block** both panels gently to open up the shell texture and even the edges. Pin to measurements and allow to dry.
2. **Shoulder seams:** With RS together, seam the 3-shell shoulder of the Front to the corresponding 3 shells at each side of the Back top edge, using whip stitch or sl st. (Back top edge: 10 shells = 3 + 4-shell back neck + 3.)
3. **Side seams:** With RS together, align Front and Back side edges from foundation up to the underarm. Seam each side, matching row-for-row.

---

## EDGING

### Armhole Edging (work both)
With G/6 (4.0 mm) hook and RS facing, join yarn at underarm seam.
**Round 1:** Ch 1, sc evenly around the armhole opening, spacing sts so the edge lies flat (about 1 sc per dc and 1 sc per row-end). Join with sl st to first sc. **Fasten off.**

> *Tip: work ~3 sc per shell row-end edge and skip the occasional st if it ripples.*

### Neckline & Hem Edging
**Neckline:** With G/6 hook and RS facing, join at a shoulder seam. Ch 1, sc evenly around the entire neckline (across back neck, down and around the front neck opening), keeping the edge flat. Join with sl st. **Fasten off.**

**Hem (optional decorative edge):** With H/8 hook and RS facing, join at a side seam.
**Round 1:** Ch 1, sc in each st across the foundation edge, join with sl st.
**Round 2:** Ch 1, *sk 2 sc, shell in next sc, sk 2 sc, sc in next sc; rep from * around, join with sl st to first sc. **Fasten off.**

> *This repeats the shell motif at the hem for a coordinated coastal scallop. Work it only if your hem stitch count is a multiple of 6 — adjust by skipping/adding 1–2 sc in Round 1 to make it fit.*

---

## FINISHING
- Weave in all ends securely with a yarn needle.
- Block the finished garment once more to set the shape and relax the shell texture.
- For best drape, lay flat to dry.

---

## Stitch Count Summary (size M)
| Section | Width | Stitch Detail |
|---------|-------|---------------|
| Each panel body | 12 shells | (12 shells, 13 sc) per RS row |
| After armhole shaping | 10 shells | (10 shells) |
| Each front shoulder | 3 shells | ~4.5" |
| Front neck opening | 4 shells | ~6" |

**Math checkpoints:**
- Panel width: 12 shells × 1.5" = 18" relaxed → stretches to ~19" → 2 panels = 38" finished bust. ✓
- Length: 14" body + 8" armhole = 22" total. ✓
- Shoulders: 3 + 4 + 3 = 10 shells across the top = matches shaped panel width. ✓

Enjoy your breezy **Coastal Shells Tank Top** — soft, scalloped, and effortlessly elegant!