Type
Machine Knitting
Difficulty
intermediate
Category
tank
AI Thinking Process
Planning
1. **Design Strategy**:
- Style: Classic sleeveless tank with a crew neck and 1x1 ribbed trims.
- Stitch: Tuck Stitch (Standard Card #1 or 1x1 tuck) which adds texture and body.
- Fit: Standard fit for a 42" bust (finished garment 44" to allow for 2" ease).
- Machine: Standard gauge (4.5mm) machine using DK weight yarn.
2. **Construction Plan**:
- Two-piece construction (Front and Back) worked bottom-up.
- 1x1 ribbing for hem, armholes, and neckline.
- Fully fashioned decreases for armhole shaping to ensure a professional finish.
- Neckline shaping using the "hold" method (short rowing) or binding off center stitches for the crew neck curve.
3. **Quality Assurance**:
- **Tuck Stitch Caution**: Tuck stitch tends to be wider and shorter than stockinette. The provided gauge (18 sts / 27 rows per 10cm) is the primary driver for all math.
- **Weighting**: Tuck stitch requires consistent, heavy weighting to prevent loops from jumping off needles.
- **Tension**: MT (Main Tension) is estimated at 6-7 for DK on a standard gauge; Ribbing at 3/3.
4. **Final Calculations**:
- Finished Width: 111.7 cm (44") total / 2 = 55.8 cm per piece.
- Cast on: 55.8 cm * 1.8 sts/cm = 100.44. We will use **101 stitches** (50-0-51) to maintain a center stitch.
- Length to Underarm: 35.5 cm (14") * 2.7 rows/cm = **RC 96**.
- Armhole Depth: 23 cm (9") * 2.7 rows/cm = **62 rows**.
- Total Row Count (Top of shoulder): RC 96 + 62 = **RC 158**.
Verification
[PRE-FLIGHT CHECKS]
1. **Completeness**: Includes setup, ribbing, body, armhole, neckline, and finishing.
2. **Consistency**:
- 101 sts @ 1.8 sts/cm = 56.1 cm (22.1"). 22.1" x 2 = 44.2" total circumference. (Matches 42" bust + 2.2" ease).
- RC 158 @ 2.7 rows/cm = 58.5 cm (23" total length).
3. **Constraints**: Tuck stitch settings included. Crew neck shaping detailed.
4. **Safety**: Armhole decreases (12 sts each side) leave 77 sts. Center neck (27 sts) + shoulder (25 sts x 2) = 77 sts. Math is balanced.
Pattern
# Pattern: The Textured Tuck Tank
**Designer:** AI Expert Pattern Designer
**Difficulty:** Intermediate
**Size:** 42" Bust (Finished garment 44.2")
**Gauge:** 18 stitches and 27 rows = 10 cm (4") in Tuck Stitch on Main Tension (MT).
---
### 1. MACHINE SETUP & MATERIALS
* **Machine:** Standard Gauge (4.5mm) with Ribber.
* **Yarn:** DK Weight (approx. 300-400g). Cotton/Linen blend recommended for summer.
* **Tools:** 1x1 transfer tool, 2nd/3rd decker combs, weights (large and small), cast-on comb, ravel cord.
* **Stitch Pattern:** Tuck Stitch. (Punchcard #1 or electronic equivalent: 1x1 tuck).
* **Tension Settings:**
* Main Bed: MT 7 (for tuck)
* Ribber: T 3/3 (for 1x1 rib)
* Stockinette (for armbands/neck): MT 6
---
### 2. BACK PIECE
**Ribbing:**
1. Set up machine for 1x1 Ribbing. Arrange needles 50-0-51 (101 sts).
2. Set Tension 1/1. **COL**. Cast on with ravel cord and weight.
3. Work 3 circular rows for a selvedge.
4. Change Tension to 3/3.
5. Knit 14 rows in 1x1 rib.
6. **RC 000**. Transfer all ribber stitches to the main bed. Drop ribber.
**Body (Tuck Stitch):**
1. Engage Tuck Stitch pattern (Card #1). Set carriage to **TUCK** (both tuck buttons in).
2. Set Tension to MT 7.
3. **RC 000**. COL. Ensure side levers are on 'circle' (for pattern) and heavy weights are applied evenly.
4. Knit even in tuck stitch until **RC 96** (approx. 35.5 cm / 14").
**Armhole Shaping:**
*Note: Continue in Tuck Stitch pattern unless otherwise noted. Use a 3-prong tool for fully fashioned decreases (moving stitches inward).*
1. **RC 96**: Cast off 5 sts at the beginning of the next 2 rows (45-0-46 remains). **RC 98**.
2. **RC 98**: Cast off 3 sts at the beginning of the next 2 rows (42-0-43 remains). **RC 100**.
3. **RC 100**: Dec 1 st at each end every other row (RS) 4 times.
* *Calculation: 101 - 10 (initial) - 6 (second) - 8 (dec) = 77 sts.*
4. Knit even on 77 sts until **RC 150**.
**Shoulder & Back Neck:**
1. **RC 150**: **COL**. Shape back neck.
2. Place center 27 sts into Hold (E position). Set carriage to **Russel Levers II** (so needles in E don't knit).
3. Work Left Shoulder: Dec 1 st at neck edge every row 2 times, while simultaneously binding off 8 sts at armhole edge 3 times for shoulder slant.
4. Repeat for Right Shoulder.
5. Bind off remaining back neck stitches at **RC 158**.
---
### 3. FRONT PIECE
1. Work exactly as for BACK until **RC 120** (Armhole shaping will already be in progress).
2. **RC 120**: **COL**. Start Crew Neck shaping.
3. Place center 17 sts into Hold (E position). Set carriage to **Hold**.
4. Work each side separately.
5. **Neck Edge Decreases**:
* Dec 1 st at neck edge every row 5 times.
* Dec 1 st at neck edge every other row 3 times.
* *Check:* 77 sts total - 17 (center) - 16 (8+8 neck dec) = 44 sts / 2 = 22 sts per shoulder. (Adjust to match back shoulder width of 22-25 sts).
6. Knit even until **RC 150**.
7. Shape shoulder slant at armhole edge to match Back (Bind off 8, 8, 6).
8. Bind off at **RC 158**.
---
### 4. FINISHING & TRIMS
**Blocking:**
* Steam block pieces flat before seaming. Tuck stitch needs vertical steam to settle the loops.
**Seaming:**
1. Join one shoulder using Mattress Stitch or Linker.
**Neckband (Crew Neck):**
1. With RS facing, pick up approx. 100-110 sts around the neckline.
2. Knit 1x1 rib for 8 rows at Tension 3/3.
3. Change to MT minus 2 increments for 2 rows to prevent flaring.
4. Bind off loosely with a latch tool or tapestry needle (tubular bind off).
**Armhole Bands:**
1. Pick up approx. 90-100 sts around armhole edge.
2. Knit 1x1 rib for 6 rows at Tension 3/3.
3. Bind off loosely.
4. Repeat for second armhole.
**Final Assembly:**
1. Join the second shoulder and neckband seam.
2. Join side seams using Mattress Stitch, ensuring tuck pattern rows align.
3. Weave in all ends.
---
**Technical Note for the Knitter:**
*If the machine struggles to tuck every other needle on MT 7, increase tension to 7.1 or 7.2. Always ensure the yarn is feeding freely from the cone/ball as tuck stitch consumes more yarn than stockinette.*
Disclaimer: This pattern was generated by AI and should be reviewed for accuracy before use. While we strive for quality, AI-generated content may contain errors. Please verify measurements, stitch counts, and instructions before beginning your project. Generated by purlJam.uk
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