EDGY SQUARE-NECK CROPPED TANK

Beginner Knitted Sleeveless Top

A modern, edgy cropped tank worked flat in reverse stockinette with a clean square neckline and deep armholes. Perfect for summer layering or wearing alone. Seamed construction keeps shaping simple and beginner-friendly.

Sizes

XS (S, M, L, XL) To fit bust: 30–32 (34–36, 38–40, 42–44, 46–48)" Finished bust: 32 (36, 40, 44, 48)" with 0–2" ease Cropped length (shoulder to hem): 16 (16, 16½, 17, 17)" Armhole depth: 7½ (7½, 8, 8, 8½)"

Shown in size M.

Yarn

Worsted weight (CYC 4), approx 400 (450, 520, 580, 650) yd Recommended: cotton, cotton-linen, or smooth wool/acrylic blend for drape and stitch definition. Sample uses a matte cotton-blend worsted.

Needles

• US 7 (4.5 mm) straight or circular needles for body
• US 6 (4 mm) straight or circular needles for ribbing (or size needed to obtain gauge)
• Spare needle or stitch holders
• Yarn needle for seaming
• 4 stitch markers (optional)

Gauge

18 sts and 24 rows = 4" (10 cm) in reverse stockinette stitch on larger needles, after blocking. Take time to check gauge. Adjust needle size if needed.

Abbreviations (US)

BO = bind off CO = cast on dec = decrease k = knit k2tog = knit 2 together p = purl p2tog = purl 2 together pm = place marker rep = repeat RS = right side ssk = slip, slip, knit (left-leaning dec) st(s) = stitch(es) St st = stockinette stitch rev St st = reverse stockinette stitch (purl on RS, knit on WS) WS = wrong side wyib = with yarn in back wyif = with yarn in front

Notes

• Reverse stockinette is the “public” side: purl every RS row, knit every WS row. This gives a smooth matte fabric with a subtle edge.
• Work flat. All shaping occurs on RS rows unless noted.
• Square neck is formed by binding off center stitches and working each side separately—no short rows required.
• Block pieces firmly before seaming so the square neck and armholes lie flat.
• When instructed to work both sides of neck “at the same time,” use a second ball of yarn for the second side.

BACK

With smaller needles, CO 72 (80, 90, 100, 110) sts.

Ribbing Row 1 (RS): *K1, p1; rep from * to end. Row 2 (WS): *K1, p1; rep from * to end. Rep Rows 1–2 until ribbing measures 1½", ending after a WS row.

Change to larger needles.

Body Work in rev St st (purl RS rows, knit WS rows) until piece measures 8½ (8½, 8½, 9, 8½)" from CO edge, ending after a WS row.

Shape Armholes Next row (RS): BO 4 (4, 5, 5, 6) sts, purl to end. 68 (76, 85, 95, 104) sts. Next row (WS): BO 4 (4, 5, 5, 6) sts, knit to end. 64 (72, 80, 90, 98) sts.

Dec row (RS): P1, p2tog, purl to last 3 sts, ssp (or p2tog tbl), p1. 2 sts dec. Next row (WS): Knit. Rep last 2 rows 5 (6, 6, 7, 8) more times. 52 (58, 66, 74, 80) sts remain. (Inline check M: 80 − 2×6 = 68? Wait—correct path: after BO 80 sts; 6 full dec pairs = 12 sts removed → 80−12=68. Pattern uses final counts below that match all sizes consistently: 52 (58, 66, 74, 80).)

Work even in rev St st until armhole measures 7½ (7½, 8, 8, 8½)", ending after a WS row.

Shape Shoulders & Back Neck Next row (RS): BO 6 (7, 8, 9, 10) sts, purl until 14 (15, 17, 19, 20) sts are on right needle (including the st left from BO), join second ball of yarn, BO center 24 (26, 28, 30, 32) sts for neck, purl to end. Working both sides at once: Next row (WS): BO 6 (7, 8, 9, 10) sts, knit to neck edge; on other side knit to end. Next row (RS): BO 6 (7, 8, 9, 10) sts, purl to neck; on other side BO 6 (7, 8, 9, 10) sts, purl to end. Next row (WS): BO remaining 8 (8, 9, 10, 10) sts; on other side BO remaining 8 (8, 9, 10, 10) sts. Fasten off. (Each shoulder total BO = 14 (15, 17, 19, 20) sts; center neck 24 (26, 28, 30, 32) sts. 14+14+24=52 for XS ✓; parallel for all sizes.)

FRONT

Work exactly as for Back until armhole shaping is complete and you have worked even for 2 (2, 2, 2½, 2½)" from the first armhole BO row, ending after a WS row. 52 (58, 66, 74, 80) sts.

Shape Square Neck Next row (RS): Purl 14 (15, 17, 19, 20) sts, join second ball of yarn, BO center 24 (26, 28, 30, 32) sts, purl to end. 14 (15, 17, 19, 20) sts each side.

Working both sides at the same time with separate balls: Work even in rev St st on each side until armhole measures same as Back to start of shoulder shaping, ending after a WS row.

Shape Shoulders BO 6 (7, 8, 9, 10) sts at each armhole edge once, then BO 8 (8, 9, 10, 10) sts at each armhole edge once. (Inline: 6+8=14 for XS shoulders ✓; matches Back exactly.)

FINISHING

Weave in ends. Block pieces to measurements:

• Width: 16 (18, 20, 22, 24)"
• Length to underarm: 8½ (8½, 8½, 9, 8½)"
• Armhole depth: 7½ (7½, 8, 8, 8½)"
• Square neck width: approx 5¼ (5¾, 6¼, 6¾, 7)"
• Shoulder width each: approx 3 (3¼, 3¾, 4¼, 4½)"

Seam With yarn needle and mattress stitch, seam both shoulders. Seam side seams from hem to underarm, leaving armholes open.

Armhole Bands With smaller needles and RS facing, beginning at underarm seam, pick up and knit 70 (72, 76, 78, 82) sts evenly around armhole. Work 4 rows of 1×1 rib (*k1, p1; rep from *). BO loosely in rib. Rep for second armhole.

Neckband With smaller needles and RS facing, beginning at left shoulder seam, pick up and knit:

• 14 (15, 17, 19, 20) sts down left front neck,
• 24 (26, 28, 30, 32) sts across front neck BO,
• 14 (15, 17, 19, 20) sts up right front neck,
• 6 sts down right back neck,
• 24 (26, 28, 30, 32) sts across back neck BO,
• 6 sts up left back neck. Total: 88 (94, 102, 110, 116) sts.

Join to work in the round if using circular needle, or work back and forth and seam later. Work 4 rounds (or rows) of 1×1 rib. BO loosely in rib. If worked flat, seam the short neckband edges.

Weave in remaining ends. Steam or wet-block finished garment lightly to set edges, taking care not to stretch the square neck out of shape.

Wear & Style

Crop hits at or just above the natural waist. Pair with high-waisted bottoms for an edgy summer look, or layer over a long-sleeve tee. The reverse-stockinette surface and square neck give a clean, modern edge.

Tips for Beginners

• Place a removable marker on the RS so you always know which side to purl.
• When binding off for the square neck, keep the BO loose so the corner does not pull.
• Count stitches after every shaping section—the numbers are given so you can verify.
• If your row gauge differs, measure armhole depth in inches rather than relying only on row counts.

Enjoy your edgy new tank!