Diamond Breeze Tank Top

A lightweight, hip-length summer tank in open diamond mesh lace with a rounded scoop neckline and wide, adjustable shoulder tie straps. Finished with crisp solid single-crochet edging for a clean, professional look.

Skill Level

Easy — Uses only chains, single crochet, and double crochet in a simple repeating mesh. Straps and edging are beginner-friendly.

Finished Measurements (Bust, garment)

Designed with ~2 in (5 cm) positive ease. Choose the size closest to your actual bust + 2 in.

Note: Bust is total garment circumference (front + back). Each panel = half the finished bust.

Materials

• Yarn: Lace weight (#0 Lace / fingering-lace), 100% cotton or cotton blend recommended for summer drape.
  • Yardage by size:
    • XS–S: 900–1,050 yd (825–960 m)
    • M–L: 1,100–1,300 yd (1,005–1,190 m)
    • XL–2XL: 1,350–1,550 yd (1,235–1,420 m)
    • 3XL–5XL: 1,600–1,900 yd (1,465–1,740 m)
• Hook: US B/1 (2.25 mm) for edging & foundation; US C/2 (2.75 mm) for mesh body. (Use two sizes to keep edging firm and mesh soft. If you prefer one hook, use US C/2 throughout and edge slightly snug.)
• Notions: Tapestry needle, 8–10 stitch markers, scissors, blocking mat & pins.

Gauge

• Mesh (US C/2 hook): 6 diamonds × 8 rows = 4 in × 4 in (10 × 10 cm), blocked.
  • 1 diamond ≈ 0.667 in wide.
• Edging (US B/1 hook): 24 sc = 4 in (10 cm).

Gauge check: Work a swatch of 8 diamonds wide × 8 rows. It should measure ~5.3 in wide × 4 in tall. Blocking opens the lace — always block before measuring.

Abbreviations (US Terms)

• ch — chain
• sc — single crochet
• dc — double crochet
• sl st — slip stitch
• sp — space
• st(s) — stitch(es)
• RS / WS — right side / wrong side
• rep — repeat
• beg — beginning
• rem — remaining
• [ ] — repeat instructions inside brackets

Special Stitch: Diamond Mesh

The open diamond mesh is a simple ch-3 lace net:

• Mesh row: dc in next dc, ch 3, skip 3 sts (or skip 1 ch-3 sp) — this forms one "diamond" unit.
• Each diamond = 4 stitches of horizontal span (1 dc + ch-3 gap).

Stitch Multiples

• Foundation chain multiple: 4 sts + 2 (the +2 supplies the turning/edge dc and a starting stitch).
• Each panel is worked to a whole number of diamonds. Diamonds per panel below are chosen so each panel = half the finished bust.

Pattern Notes

• Construction: Two flat panels (Front and Back), worked bottom-up in diamond mesh. Panels are seamed at the sides. Edging is worked around the neckline, armholes, and hem. Wide tie straps are added at the shoulders.
• Turning chain: Ch 3 at the beginning of each mesh row counts as the first dc.
• Work in both loops unless noted.
• Stitch counts are given at the end of each row/round in parentheses, counted as diamonds (D) for mesh rows and sc for edging.
• Front and Back are worked identically until the neckline scoop, which is the same shape front and back for a comfortable rounded scoop.

Diamonds Per Panel (by size)

Math check (XS): 22 diamonds × 0.667 in = 14.67 in/panel × 2 panels = 29.3 in → ≈ 30 in finished after edging/blocking. ✓ Foundation check: diamonds × 4 + 2 = 22×4+2 = 90. ✓ (Each diamond consumes 4 chains; +2 for edge dc + first ch.)

BODY PANELS (Make 2 — Front and Back identical to armhole)

Use US C/2 (2.75 mm) hook.

Row 1 (Foundation / RS)

Ch the number for your size (see table). Dc in 4th ch from hook (skipped 3 ch count as first dc), ch 3, skip 3 ch, dc in next ch; rep from * across to end.

• XS example: foundation 90 ch → after first dc, work 21 more (dc, ch-3) units. (22 diamonds)

Diamond count = your size's Diamonds/Panel.

Row 2 and all following mesh rows

Ch 3 (counts as first dc), turn. Dc in next dc, ch 3; rep from * across, ending dc in top of turning ch. (diamond count unchanged — same as Row 1)

Repeat Row 2 until panel measures the length below to the underarm, ending after a WS row.

Body length to underarm (all sizes work even here):

(8 rows = 4 in, so 28 rows ≈ 14 in.)

ARMHOLE SHAPING (both panels the same)

At the armholes we remove diamonds from each side to shape the armscye. Work the reductions over the next 3 rows, then continue even.

Diamonds to remove each side (by size):

• XS–S: 2 diamonds each side
• M–XL: 3 diamonds each side
• 2XL–5XL: 4 diamonds each side

Armhole Row 1 (RS)

Sl st across the first (removal-count) diamonds to the base of the next dc, ch 3 (counts as first dc), dc in next dc, ch 3; rep across until (removal-count) diamonds rem unworked at end; dc in next dc, turn — do not work the final diamonds.

• New count: starting diamonds − (2 × removal-count).

Check (M): 28 − (2×3) = 22 diamonds. ✓

Armhole Rows 2 onward

Ch 3 (counts as first dc), turn. Dc in next dc, ch 3; rep across, ending dc in top of turning ch. (count unchanged)

Continue even until armhole measures the depth below, ending after a WS row.

SCOOP NECKLINE (front and back the same — rounded scoop)

The neckline splits the panel into two shoulder "wings," leaving a center scoop open.

Determine your thirds using your post-armhole diamond count. Divide into:

• Right shoulder wing = ~1/4 of diamonds (round down)
• Center scoop = ~1/2 of diamonds
• Left shoulder wing = ~1/4 of diamonds

Example (M, 22 diamonds): 5 + 12 + 5 = 22. ✓ Example (XS, 18 diamonds): 4 + 10 + 4 = 18. ✓

Right Shoulder Wing

Next Row (RS): Ch 3 (counts as first dc), dc in next dc, ch 3; rep until you have worked the shoulder-wing count of diamonds, dc in next dc; turn — leave center + left wing unworked. Continue even on these diamonds for 4 rows (rounds the scoop). Fasten off.

Left Shoulder Wing

With RS facing, count in from the opposite edge and rejoin yarn to the first dc of the left shoulder-wing section (skip the center scoop diamonds). Ch 3 (counts as first dc), work dc in next dc, ch 3 across the left-wing diamonds, ending dc in top of turning ch; turn. Continue even for 4 rows to match. Fasten off.

The center scoop diamonds are left unworked to form the rounded neckline; the sc edging (below) will smooth the curve.

ASSEMBLY

1. Block both panels to measurements — this opens the lace evenly.
2. With RS together, seam the side edges from hem to underarm using a tapestry needle and mattress/whip stitch through the outer dc posts. Keep seam flat and even.
3. Do not seam shoulders — the tie straps join front and back at the shoulders.

EDGING (US B/1 hook, US sc terms)

Work sc edging firmly and evenly. Space ~1 sc per row-end and ~3 sc per diamond/ch-3 sp along horizontal edges. Adjust to keep edges flat — add a sc in tight curves, skip one along straight runs to prevent ruffling.

Hem Edging

With RS facing, join yarn at a side seam at the bottom edge. Rnd 1: Ch 1, sc evenly around the entire bottom, working 3 sc per diamond across each panel; join with sl st to first sc. Rnd 2: Ch 1, sc in each sc around; join with sl st. Fasten off. Two rounds give a clean, firm hem.

Neckline Edging (front and back separately, or continuous if joined later)

With RS facing, join yarn at a shoulder-wing edge. Rnd 1: Ch 1, sc evenly around the scoop — 1 sc per row-end up the wing sides, 3 sc per diamond across the scoop base, easing the curve so it lies flat; join with sl st. Fasten off. Repeat for the back neckline.

Armhole Edging

With RS facing, join yarn at the underarm. Rnd 1: Ch 1, sc evenly around each armhole — 1 sc per row-end along the vertical edges, 3 sc per diamond across the underarm; join with sl st. Fasten off. Repeat for the second armhole.

SHOULDER TIE STRAPS (Make 4 — 2 per shoulder)

Wide, flat ties that knot at each shoulder for an adjustable fit.

Use US B/1 (2.25 mm) hook.

Strap width: 9 sc (~1.5 in wide). Strap length: each tie ≈ 12 in (so a knotted pair spans the shoulder + bow tails). Adjust length to taste.

Attaching strap:

1. With RS facing, join yarn to the outer top corner of a front shoulder wing.
2. Row 1: Ch 1, work 9 sc evenly across the top edge of the shoulder wing. Turn. (9 sc)
3. Rows 2–end: Ch 1, sc in each sc across. Turn. (9 sc) Repeat until strap tail measures ~12 in from the shoulder edge.
4. Last row: Ch 1, sc in each sc; then continue sc around all edges of the tail once for a clean finish. Fasten off.

Repeat on:

• The matching back shoulder wing (same shoulder), and
• Both wings on the other shoulder.

To wear: Tie each front strap to its corresponding back strap in a bow or knot at the shoulder. The wide sc straps sit flat and comfortable.

Strap count check: 2 shoulders × 2 straps (front + back) = 4 straps. ✓

FINISHING

1. Weave in all ends with a tapestry needle, running them along dc posts or sc rows.
2. Trim ends.
3. Give a final light steam-block to set the edging and even out the mesh.
4. Try on and adjust the shoulder ties to your preferred neckline depth and fit.

SIZE ADJUSTMENT NOTES

• Width: Add or remove diamonds in multiples of 1 diamond (~0.67 in) per panel. Remember each diamond you add per panel adds ~1.33 in to finished bust. Update foundation chain: (diamonds × 4) + 2.
• Length (body): Add or remove mesh rows in pairs (2 rows = ~1 in). Adjust before the armhole shaping.
• Torso vs. hip length: For a cropped version, stop the body 3–4 in (6–8 rows) shorter before underarm shaping. For a tunic, add 4–6 in (8–12 rows).
• Neckline depth: For a higher scoop, work fewer center diamonds (make each wing wider) and add rows to the wings. For a deeper scoop, widen the center and shorten wings.
• Armhole depth: Add/remove 2 rows per ~1 in of armhole depth after shaping.
• Strap length/width: Change starting sc for wider/narrower straps; work more/fewer rows for longer/shorter ties.
• Firmer or looser mesh: Go down a hook size for a denser fabric (more coverage), up a size for airier drape — re-check gauge and yardage.

Enjoy your breezy Diamond Breeze Tank — a light, airy layer perfect for warm days.