Easy Sleeveless Tank

A simple, comfortable sleeveless top worked primarily in stockinette stitch with tidy 2×2 rib edges. Designed for a beginner using worsted-weight yarn and basic increases/decreases only. The body is knit seamlessly in the round to the underarms, then split and worked flat for the upper front and back. Custom-fit to a full bust of approximately 45¾" (116 cm) with easy wearing ease.

Materials

• Yarn: Worsted weight (category 4), approx. 700–800 yd (640–730 m). Smooth wool, wool-blend, or cotton-blend recommended for stitch definition and comfort.
• Needles:
  • US 8 / 5 mm circular needle, 32–40" (80–100 cm) long, for body
  • US 8 / 5 mm circular or straight needles for upper flat sections (or continue with circular)
  • US 7 / 4.5 mm circular needle, 32–40" (80–100 cm), for ribbing (optional but recommended for neater edges)
  • US 7 / 4.5 mm needles for neck and armhole finishing
• Notions: Stitch markers, stitch holders or waste yarn, tapestry needle, scissors. Optional: spare needle for three-needle bind-off.

Gauge

18 stitches and 24 rows = 4" (10 cm) in stockinette stitch with US 8 / 5 mm needles, after blocking.
Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain gauge. Gauge is critical for fit.

Finished Size

One custom size based on provided measurements (bust 45¾" / 116 cm, underbust 40½" / 103 cm, waist 42½" / 108 cm).

• Bust circumference: 48" (122 cm) — approx. 2¼" (5.5 cm) positive ease
• Waist/hip (straight body): 48" (122 cm)
• Length from shoulder to hem: 24" (61 cm)
• Armhole depth: 9½" (24 cm)
• Neck width: 8" (20.5 cm)
• Each shoulder strap width: approx. 3½" (9 cm)

Abbreviations (US)

• BO: bind off
• CO: cast on
• k: knit
• k2tog: knit 2 stitches together (right-leaning decrease)
• p: purl
• pm: place marker
• rep: repeat
• rnd(s): round(s)
• RS: right side
• ssk: slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
• st(s): stitch(es)
• St st: stockinette stitch (knit every rnd in the round; knit on RS, purl on WS when flat)
• WS: wrong side
• wyib: with yarn in back
• wyif: with yarn in front

Pattern Notes

• Body is worked in the round to the underarms for minimal seaming.
• When working flat, slip the first stitch of every row purlwise wyif for a neat edge (optional but recommended).
• The body is intentionally straight (no waist shaping) to keep the pattern beginner-friendly. If you prefer gentle waist shaping, see the optional note after the hem.
• Keep decreases at least 1–2 stitches in from the edge for clean armhole and neck lines.
• Try on (or measure against a favorite tank) before binding off shoulders if possible.
• Block the finished piece to open the fabric and set measurements.

Instructions

Body

With smaller needles (US 7 / 4.5 mm) and long-tail or preferred cast-on, CO 216 sts. Pm for beginning of rnd and join to work in the round, being careful not to twist. (216 sts = 48" at gauge ✓)

Ribbing: Work in 2×2 rib (*k2, p2; rep from * to end) for 2" (5 cm), approx. 12 rnds.

Change to larger needles (US 8 / 5 mm).

Next rnd: Knit all stitches.

Continue in St st (knit every rnd) until piece measures 14" (35.5 cm) from cast-on edge, or desired length to underarm.
(Optional gentle waist shaping for underbust/waist: After 4" / 10 cm of St st, decrease 8 sts evenly spaced over one rnd [k25, k2tog] 8 times → 208 sts. Work even for 3" / 7.5 cm. Increase 8 sts evenly [k26, M1] 8 times → 216 sts. Resume straight to underarm. Skip this for true beginner straight tank.)

Divide for Front and Back

Next rnd (divide): K108, place next 108 sts on holder or waste yarn for Front. Remaining 108 sts are Back. Turn to begin working Back flat. (108 sts each piece ✓)

Back

Working flat on Back sts only:

Row 1 (WS): Purl.

Armhole shaping:

• Row 2 (RS): Slip 1, k1, ssk, knit to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2. (2 sts decreased)
• Row 3 (WS): Slip 1, purl to end. Rep Rows 2–3 four more times (5 decrease rows total). (108 − 10 = 98 sts ✓)

Work even in St st (knit RS, purl WS), slipping first st of each row if desired, until armhole measures 8" (20.5 cm) from divide, ending after a WS row. (Approx. 48 rows from start of armhole shaping at 6 rows/inch.)

Neck and shoulder shaping: Mark center 36 sts for neck (98 − 36 = 62; 31 sts each side ✓).

Next row (RS): Slip 1, k30 (right shoulder), join second ball of yarn, BO center 36 sts, k31 (left shoulder).

Work both shoulders at the same time with separate balls.

Left shoulder (as worn; the side just started):

• WS: Slip 1, purl to end.
• RS: Slip 1, k1, ssk, knit to end. (neck decrease) Rep last 2 rows once more. (31 − 2 = 29 sts ✓) Work even until armhole measures 9½" (24 cm), ending after a WS row. Place 29 sts on holder.

Right shoulder:

• WS (first WS after divide): Slip 1, purl to end.
• RS: Knit to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2.
• WS: Slip 1, purl to end. Rep last 2 rows once more. (31 − 2 = 29 sts ✓) Work even until armhole measures 9½" (24 cm), ending after a WS row. Place 29 sts on holder.

Front

Return held 108 Front sts to needle. With RS facing, join yarn.

Row 1 (WS): Purl.

Armhole shaping (same as Back):

• Row 2 (RS): Slip 1, k1, ssk, knit to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2.
• Row 3 (WS): Slip 1, purl to end. Rep Rows 2–3 four more times. (108 − 10 = 98 sts ✓)

Work even in St st until armhole measures 5½" (14 cm) from divide, ending after a WS row. (This creates a deeper front neck drop than the back.)

Front neck shaping: Mark center 28 sts (98 − 28 = 70; 35 sts each side ✓).

Next row (RS): Slip 1, k34 (left front), join second ball, BO center 28 sts, k35 (right front).

Work both sides at the same time.

Right front (as worn):

• WS: Slip 1, purl to end.
• RS: Slip 1, k1, ssk, knit to end. (neck edge decrease) Rep last 2 rows three more times (4 neck decreases total). (35 − 4 = 31 sts ✓) Then decrease at neck edge every other RS row twice more:
  Work 1 WS row even, then on next RS: Slip 1, k1, ssk, knit to end.
  Work 1 WS row even, then on next RS: Slip 1, k1, ssk, knit to end. (31 − 2 = 29 sts ✓)

Work even until armhole measures 9½" (24 cm), ending after a WS row. Place 29 sts on holder.

Left front:

• WS: Slip 1, purl to end.
• RS: Knit to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2. Continue to match right front neck decreases (4 every-row decreases then 2 every-other-RS-row decreases) until 29 sts remain. Work even to match right front length. Place 29 sts on holder.

(Inline check: Front neck BO 28 + 6 decreases each side = 28 + 12 = 40 sts removed from original 98 after armholes → 58 sts total for both shoulders → 29 each ✓. Matches Back shoulder count.)

Join Shoulders

Turn garment inside out (or hold RS together). Using three-needle bind-off, join the 29 left-front sts to 29 left-back sts. Repeat for right shoulder.
(Alternative for absolute beginners: BO all shoulder sts on the final row of each piece, then mattress-stitch the shoulder seams.)

Finishing

Armhole Edging

With smaller needles (US 7 / 4.5 mm) and RS facing, beginning at underarm, pick up and knit approx. 86–90 sts evenly around one armhole (about 3 sts for every 4 rows along vertical edges + underarm sts as needed). Pm and join.
Work 2×2 rib (*k2, p2; adjust by 1–2 sts if needed on first rnd so pattern is even) for 4 rnds (about ¾" / 2 cm). BO loosely in rib.
Repeat for second armhole.

Neck Edging

With smaller needles and RS facing, beginning at right shoulder seam, pick up and knit sts evenly around neck: approx. 6–8 sts down right back neck slope, 36 sts across back BO, 6–8 sts up left back neck slope, 12–14 sts down left front neck slope, 28 sts across front BO, 12–14 sts up right front neck slope — total roughly 100–108 sts. Adjust pickup rate for a smooth edge that lies flat (aim for a multiple of 4). Pm and join.
Work 2×2 rib for 4–5 rnds (about ¾–1" / 2–2.5 cm). BO loosely in rib.

Final Steps

Weave in all ends securely on WS.
Block gently to finished measurements: wet-block or steam, pin to 48" (122 cm) bust width and 24" (61 cm) length, opening armholes and neck smoothly. Allow to dry completely.
Steam seams and edges lightly if needed for a polished look.

Tips for Success

• Count stitches after every shaping section; the inline checks should always match.
• If your row gauge differs, measure length in inches/cm rather than relying solely on row counts.
• Loose bind-offs on neck and armholes prevent tight, uncomfortable edges—use a larger needle for BO if needed.
• For a longer tunic style, simply work extra length before the underarm divide.

Enjoy your custom sleeveless tank!