Oatmeal Square-Neck Ribbed Tank with Peplum & Tie Straps

A fitted intermediate tank top featuring vertical ribbing, clean square neckline, slim adjustable straps that tie into bows at the shoulders, and a gathered peplum ruffle at the natural waist. Front and back are identical for a symmetrical finish. Worked in soft beige/oatmeal worsted weight yarn for a minimalist, elegant look.

Materials

• Worsted weight yarn (category 4), soft acrylic, cotton, or wool-blend in beige/oatmeal; approximately 650 (750, 850, 950, 1100) yards
• Crochet hook US 7 (4.5 mm) or size needed to obtain gauge
• Yarn needle
• Scissors
• 4 stitch markers
• Measuring tape

Gauge

16 hdc BLO and 12 rows = 4″ (10 cm) unstretched in rib pattern. Take time to check gauge. Ribbing is stretchy; measure unstretched flat.

Sizes

XS (S, M, L, XL) To fit bust: 30–32 (34–36, 38–40, 42–44, 46–48)″ Finished bust (unstretched): 28 (32, 36, 40, 44)″ — stretches to fit with negative ease Bodice height (waist to neckline): 9 (9, 9.5, 10, 10)″ Armhole depth: 7 (7, 7.5, 8, 8)″ Peplum length: 8″ Strap length (each): 16″

Shown in size S. Instructions are written for XS with larger sizes in parentheses. When only one number is given, it applies to all sizes.

Abbreviations (US Terms)

• ch: chain
• hdc: half double crochet
• sc: single crochet
• sl st: slip stitch
• st(s): stitch(es)
• BLO: back loop only
• RS: right side
• WS: wrong side
• rep: repeat
• pm: place marker
• rnd: round

Pattern Notes

• Bodice panels are worked sideways flat so that BLO ridges run vertically when worn.
• Turning ch-1 does not count as a stitch. Work first hdc of each row in the first st.
• All bodice ribbing is worked in BLO unless otherwise stated.
• Front and back panels are identical.
• Stitch counts appear in parentheses at the end of rows/rounds where they change or for confirmation.
• Peplum is worked in joined rounds after side seams; do not turn.
• Straps are worked separately and sewn on.
• Weave in ends as you go when possible.

Special Stitch

Rib row: Ch 1, turn, hdc BLO in each st across.

Pattern Instructions

Front Bodice Panel

With oatmeal yarn, ch 37 (37, 39, 41, 41).

Row 1 (RS): Hdc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. [36 (36, 38, 40, 40) hdc]

Row 2: Ch 1, turn, hdc BLO in each st across. [36 (36, 38, 40, 40) hdc]

Rep Row 2 for rib pattern until you have worked a total of 42 (48, 54, 60, 66) rows. Fasten off. Panel measures approximately 14 (16, 18, 20, 22)″ wide × 9 (9, 9.5, 10, 10)″ tall unstretched.

Mark the top edge (opposite the foundation chain long edge) corners with stitch markers for strap placement. The foundation-chain long edge is the waist/bottom.

Back Bodice Panel

Work exactly as for Front Bodice Panel. Fasten off. Mark top-edge corners.

Assembly – Side Seams

Place Front and Back panels with WS together, aligning bottom (waist) edges and side edges. Starting at bottom edge, seam each side with mattress stitch or whipstitch through both loops for 2 (2, 2, 2, 2)″ less than full height, leaving the top 7 (7, 7.5, 8, 8)″ open on each side for armholes. (Seam length = bodice height – armhole depth = 2″ all sizes.) Turn RS out.

Straps (make 4)

Ch 65. Row 1: Hdc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. [64 hdc] Rows 2–3: Ch 1, turn, hdc in each st across. [64 hdc] Fasten off, leaving a 10″ tail for sewing. Each strap measures approximately 16″ long × 1″ wide.

Attach Straps

Using yarn tails and yarn needle, sew one short end of each strap securely to a marked top corner of the Front and Back panels (2 straps on Front, 2 on Back). Sew through both loops firmly across the full width of the strap end so straps sit at the outer edges of the square neckline. Weave in ends. (The unattached ends will tie into bows at each shoulder.)

Peplum Ruffle

With RS facing and working along the entire bottom (waist) edge, join yarn with sl st at one side seam.

Pickup Rnd: Ch 1, work 1 sc in the end of each rib row evenly around the entire waist edge. Join with sl st to first sc. [84 (96, 108, 120, 132) sc] (Exactly 42 (48, 54, 60, 66) sc along Front + same along Back.)

Rnd 1 (increase for gather): Ch 1 (does not count as st), 2 hdc in each sc around. Join with sl st to first hdc. [168 (192, 216, 240, 264) hdc] (84 × 2 = 168 ✓; 96 × 2 = 192 ✓; 108 × 2 = 216 ✓; 120 × 2 = 240 ✓; 132 × 2 = 264 ✓)

Rnd 2: Ch 1, hdc in each hdc around. Join with sl st to first hdc. [168 (192, 216, 240, 264) hdc]

Rnds 3–14: Rep Rnd 2. (12 more rounds for a total of 14 hdc rounds after pickup, creating an 8″ peplum.) Fasten off.

Finishing

• Weave in all remaining ends securely on WS.
• Block gently if desired: wet-block or steam-block flat to measurements, taking care not to flatten rib texture excessively. Pin peplum ruffle evenly.
• Try on. Tie each pair of Front + Back straps into a bow at the shoulders. Adjust bow tightness and strap length for fit and neckline depth; tails may be trimmed evenly if preferred after tying.
• Optional: add a small drop of fabric glue or clear nail polish to knot centers for security if desired.

Schematic Measurements (unstretched)

• Bodice width (each panel): 14 (16, 18, 20, 22)″
• Bodice height: 9 (9, 9.5, 10, 10)″
• Finished bust circumference: 28 (32, 36, 40, 44)″
• Armhole opening: 7 (7, 7.5, 8, 8)″
• Peplum length: 8″
• Strap: 16″ × 1″

Enjoy your elegant oatmeal peplum tank! The vertical rib hugs the body, the square neckline stays clean, and the shoulder bows + peplum add feminine movement.