purlJam

# Laced-Back Cotton Tank Top
### A fitted single crochet tank with adjustable corset-laced back

A clean, structured tank worked entirely in single crochet for a dense, supportive fabric perfect for cotton yarn. The top third of the back is split into two panels joined by ribbon lacing through eyelet columns, allowing you to cinch the bust and waist for a custom fit. Hip-length (not cropped).

---

## ⚠️ Important Note on Hook & Yarn
You requested a **2.5 mm hook**, which is technically a *steel/sport-weight* hook size. To achieve the dense, structured fabric needed for a flattering tank — and to make your 2.5 mm hook work beautifully — I strongly recommend a **DK / sport-weight mercerized cotton** (such as Scheepjes Catona, Paintbox Cotton DK, or Drops Safran). If you use true worsted-weight cotton with a 2.5 mm hook, the fabric will be very stiff and the finished garment will run smaller; in that case go up to a **3.5–4 mm hook** and recalculate gauge.

The pattern below is written for **DK cotton + 2.5 mm hook**.

---

## Materials

- **Yarn:** DK / sport-weight 100% mercerized cotton
  - Size S: ~900 yds (820 m)
  - Size M: ~1,050 yds (960 m)
  - Size L: ~1,200 yds (1,100 m)
  - Size XL: ~1,400 yds (1,280 m)
- **Hook:** 2.5 mm (US B/1 – C/2)
- **Notions:**
  - Tapestry needle
  - Stitch markers (6+)
  - 2–3 yards of 1/2"-wide satin ribbon or cotton cord (for lacing)
  - Scissors
  - Optional: blocking mat & pins

---

## Gauge

**24 sc × 28 rows = 4" (10 cm)** in single crochet, after blocking.
*Make a 5" × 5" swatch and block it before starting. Cotton grows — gauge after blocking is what matters.*

---

## Sizes

| Size | Bust (to fit) | Finished bust (laced snug) | Length |
|------|---------------|----------------------------|--------|
| S    | 32–34"        | 32"                        | 21"    |
| **M**| 35–37"        | **34"**                    | **22"**|
| L    | 38–40"        | 37"                        | 23"    |
| XL   | 41–44"        | 40"                        | 24"    |

The corset back gives **~3" of adjustability**, so the finished bust can be sized down further when laced tightly.

**Pattern is written for size M with S (L, XL) in parentheses where they differ.**

---

## Abbreviations (US Terms)

- **ch** – chain
- **sc** – single crochet
- **sc2tog** – single crochet 2 together (decrease)
- **sl st** – slip stitch
- **st(s)** – stitch(es)
- **sk** – skip
- **BLO** – back loop only
- **RS / WS** – right side / wrong side
- **rep** – repeat

---

## Pattern Notes

- Worked in **two flat panels** (Front and Back), joined at sides and shoulders.
- The **Back panel** is worked solid for the lower two-thirds, then **splits into two halves** for the upper third. Each half has a column of **eyelets along the inner edge** for ribbon lacing.
- Turning ch-1 at the start of each row **does NOT count as a stitch**.
- Work into both loops unless otherwise stated.
- Stitch count given at end of every row in **(parentheses)**.
- Front and Back hip stitch counts:
  - S: 96 sts | **M: 102 sts** | L: 111 sts | XL: 120 sts

---

# THE PATTERN

## FRONT PANEL

### Foundation
**Ch 103 (97, 112, 121).**

**Row 1 (RS):** sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in each ch across. **(102 / 96, 111, 120 sc)**

**Rows 2–14:** ch 1, turn, sc in each st across. **(102 sts)**
*Worked straight for ~2" at hips.*

### Waist Shaping — Decrease
**Row 15 (RS):** ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc to last 2 sts, sc2tog. **(100 sts)**
**Rows 16–20:** sc even. **(100 sts)**
**Row 21:** rep Row 15. **(98 sts)**
**Rows 22–26:** sc even.
**Row 27:** rep Row 15. **(96 sts)**
**Rows 28–32:** sc even.
**Row 33:** rep Row 15. **(94 sts)** — *narrowest point / natural waist, ~6.5" up from hem.*
**Rows 34–40:** sc even. **(94 sts)**

### Waist Shaping — Increase (toward bust)
**Row 41:** ch 1, turn, sc in 1st st, 2 sc in next, sc to last 2 sts, 2 sc in next, sc in last. **(96 sts)**
**Rows 42–46:** sc even.
**Row 47:** rep Row 41. **(98 sts)**
**Rows 48–52:** sc even.
**Row 53:** rep Row 41. **(100 sts)**
**Rows 54–58:** sc even.
**Row 59:** rep Row 41. **(102 sts)**

**Rows 60–95:** sc even. **(102 sts)** — *work straight to underarm, ~13.5" total length.*

### Armhole Shaping
**Row 96 (RS):** sl st across first 6 sts, ch 1, sc in same st as last sl st, sc to last 6 sts, turn (leave last 6 unworked). **(91 sts)**
**Row 97:** ch 1, sc2tog, sc to last 2 sts, sc2tog. **(89 sts)**
**Rows 98–100:** rep Row 97 three more times. **(83 sts)**
**Rows 101–103:** sc even. **(83 sts)**

### Front Neckline Split
*At Row 104 the work divides for the V-neck/scoop neckline.*

**Row 104 (RS):** ch 1, sc in first 28 sts, turn — work this side first. **(28 sts)**
Place remaining 55 sts on hold (skip center 27 sts; the other shoulder waits).

**Right Front Shoulder:**
- **Row 105:** ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc across. **(27 sts)**
- **Rows 106–115:** rep Row 105, decreasing 1 st at neck edge each row. **(17 sts after Row 115)**
- **Rows 116–125:** sc even. **(17 sts)** — *strap.*
- Fasten off.

**Left Front Shoulder:**
Rejoin yarn with RS facing, skipping the center 27 sts, into the 28th st from the other side.
- **Row 104a:** ch 1, sc in each of 28 sts. **(28 sts)**
- Work mirror image of right shoulder: decrease at neck edge for 11 rows to **17 sts**, then 10 rows even.
- Fasten off.

---

## BACK PANEL — Lower Section (worked solid)

### Foundation through Underarm
Work **exactly as Front Panel, Rows 1 through 95.** **(102 sts at Row 95)**

### Armhole Shaping
Work **as Front Panel Rows 96–100.** **(83 sts after Row 100)**

**Rows 101–103:** sc even. **(83 sts)**

---

## BACK PANEL — Upper Third (Corset Split)

*From here the back divides into two vertical halves. Each half is 41 sts wide with a 1-st gap at center (we'll work into 41 sts each side; the center st is omitted to create a clean split). Lacing eyelets run up the inner edge of each half.*

### Right Back Half

**Row 104 (RS):** ch 1, sc in first 41 sts, turn. **(41 sts)** — leave remaining 42 sts unworked for now.

**Row 105 (WS):** ch 1, turn, **ch 2, sk 2 sts, sc in next st, sc in remaining 37 sts.** **(38 sc + 1 ch-2 eyelet = effective 41 sts)**
*This creates the first lacing eyelet at the inner (center-back) edge.*

**Row 106 (RS):** ch 1, turn, sc in each of 38 sts, **2 sc in ch-2 sp**, do not work further. **(40 sts)**
*Wait — recount: we need to maintain 41 sts. Adjusted:* sc in 38 sc, then work **2 sc into the ch-2 space** to restore 2 sts. **(40 sts)**
**Row 106 correction:** sc 38, 2 sc in ch-2 sp, sc in last st (the turning-edge st). **(41 sts) ✓**

**Rows 107–108:** ch 1, turn, sc in each st. **(41 sts)**

**Row 109 (WS — eyelet row):** ch 1, turn, ch 2, sk 2 sts, sc in next st, sc to end. **(restored to 41 sts via same method on next RS row)**

**Row 110 (RS):** ch 1, turn, sc to last 3 sts before ch-2 sp, sc in 38 sc, 2 sc in ch-2 sp, sc in last st. **(41 sts)**

**Rows 111–112:** sc even.

**Continue this 4-row eyelet repeat** (eyelet on every 4th WS row) for the remainder of the upper back:

> **Eyelet Repeat (4 rows):**
> - **Row A (WS):** ch 1, turn, ch 2, sk 2, sc to end.
> - **Row B (RS):** ch 1, turn, sc across, 2 sc in ch-2 sp, sc in last st. **(41 sts)**
> - **Row C (WS):** ch 1, turn, sc across. **(41 sts)**
> - **Row D (RS):** ch 1, turn, sc across. **(41 sts)**

Repeat the 4-row eyelet sequence until you have completed **Row 135** (approx. 8 eyelets total over the upper third).

### Shoulder Shaping — Right Back
**Row 136 (RS):** ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc across. **(40 sts)**
**Rows 137–146:** rep Row 136 — decreasing 1 st at neck (inner) edge each row. **(30 sts after Row 146)**
**Rows 147–155:** sc even. **(30 sts strap area; outer 17 sts will match Front strap)**

*To match the front strap (17 sts):*
**Row 156 (RS):** ch 1, sc in first 17 sts, turn — leave 13 sts unworked for neckline curve.
**Rows 157–160:** ch 1, turn, sc in each of 17 sts. **(17 sts)**
Fasten off.

### Left Back Half
With RS facing, rejoin yarn to the 42nd st of Row 103 (skipping the center unworked stitch for the split) and work the **mirror image** of the Right Back Half, placing eyelets on the inner (left) edge instead.

**Row 104:** ch 1, sc in each of 41 sts. **(41 sts)**

Work eyelets on the opposite edge, following the same 4-row repeat but reversed so all eyelets align horizontally with the Right Back Half.

Shape shoulder and strap as mirror of right side. **(17 sts at top)** Fasten off.

---

## FINISHING

### Seaming
1. **Block** both panels to size, especially the back halves so the eyelets open cleanly.
2. **Shoulder seams:** With RS together, whip-stitch or sl-st the 17-st straps of Front to corresponding Back straps. Repeat for other shoulder.
3. **Side seams:** With RS together, whip-stitch Front to Back from hem up to the armhole opening (Row 95 / start of armhole shaping). Leave armholes open.

### Edging
**Neckline (Front scoop + Back V at split):**
Join yarn at one shoulder seam with RS facing.
- **Rnd 1:** ch 1, sc evenly around the entire neckline opening, including across the top of both back halves and down the inner edges of each back half (but NOT across the back split itself — the split stays open for lacing). Work 1 sc in each st along straight edges and approx. 3 sc per 4 rows along row-edges. Sl st to join. Fasten off.

**Armholes (x2):**
Join yarn at underarm seam.
- **Rnd 1:** ch 1, sc evenly around armhole (approx. 3 sc per 4 rows on side edges, 1 sc per st across bound-off underarm), sl st to join. Fasten off.

**Hem:**
Join yarn at a side seam.
- **Rnd 1:** ch 1, sc in each st around, sl st to join. Fasten off.
- *Optional Rnd 2:* sc in BLO around for a subtle ridge.

### Lacing the Corset Back
1. Lay the tank flat with the back facing up.
2. Starting at the **bottom** of the back split (Row 104), thread your ribbon **shoelace-style** through the eyelets, crossing over from right half to left half.
3. Leave equal tails (~10") at top and bottom.
4. Try on, adjust tension to desired fit, and tie a bow at the top.
5. *Tip:* Reinforce ribbon ends with a dab of fray-check or fold/stitch them.

### Final Steps
- Weave in all ends with tapestry needle.
- Steam-block lightly if needed.
- Trim ribbon ends at an angle.

---

## Fit & Customization Tips

- **Longer length?** Add rows between Rows 60–95 (each 7 rows ≈ 1").
- **More bust ease?** Skip the last increase row (Row 59) for size M to leave 100 sts at bust.
- **More dramatic cinch?** Add 2 more eyelet repeats in the upper back (extend to Row 143 before shoulder shaping).
- **Sturdier eyelets?** After completing the back, work a single round of sc around each ch-2 space individually with matching thread.

---

### Stitch Count Validation Summary
- Front hem 102 sts ÷ 24 sts/4" × 4 = **17" wide × 2 panels = 34" finished bust ✓**
- Total rows to underarm: 95 rows ÷ 28 rows/4" × 4 = **13.57" ✓**
- Total length 22" = 154 rows ✓
- Each back half 41 sts ≈ 6.83"; 2 halves + 1" lacing gap ≈ **14.6"** wide laced snug, adjustable to ~17" loose ✓

Enjoy your custom laced-back cotton tank! 🧵