Relaxed Scoop-Neck Knit Tank Top

Size M–L (Beginner-Friendly)

A simple, relaxed sleeveless tank worked flat in two pieces and seamed. Designed with generous ease to layer comfortably over a blouse. Not cropped—hits at high hip. Perfect first garment project.

Finished Measurements

• Bust circumference: 46" (117 cm) with approx. 4–8" (10–20 cm) positive ease for sizes M–L
• Width each piece: 23" (58.5 cm)
• Total length: 24" (61 cm)
• Length to underarm: 15" (38 cm)
• Armhole depth: 8½" (21.5 cm)
• Shoulder width each: 3½" (9 cm)
• Neck width: 7½" (19 cm) approx. scoop

Materials

• Yarn: Worsted-weight 100% acrylic; 4 skeins of 100 g / 238 m (approx. 952 m / 1040 yd total). Sample uses full 4 skeins with small leftover.
• Needles: US 7 (4.5 mm) straight or circular needles for body; US 6 (4 mm) for ribbing (optional but recommended for neater edges)
• Notions: Yarn needle, stitch holders or scrap yarn, stitch markers, scissors, measuring tape

Gauge

18 stitches and 27 rows = 4" (10 cm) in stockinette stitch on US 7 (4.5 mm) needles, after light blocking. Please match gauge. You already swatched 18 sts = 10 cm and 28 rows = 10.5 cm—this is correct. If your row gauge differs slightly, measure length in inches rather than counting every row.

Abbreviations (US)

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

Notes for Beginners

• The tank is worked in two identical-width rectangles with simple shaping at armholes, neck, and shoulders.
• “Work even” means continue in pattern without increasing or decreasing.
• Always slip the first stitch of every row purlwise wyif for a neat selvedge edge that makes seaming easier.
• Count stitches after every shaping section (checkpoints given).
• Block pieces before seaming—acrylic benefits from a gentle steam block (hover iron, do not press).
• You knit firmly; the given needle size already matches your swatch. Do not go down in needle size or the fabric will be too stiff for layering.

Stitch Patterns

2×2 Rib (multiple of 4 sts) Every row: *K2, p2; repeat from * to end.

Stockinette Stitch RS (odd) rows: Knit. WS (even) rows: Purl.

BACK

With smaller needles (US 6 / 4 mm), CO 104 sts.

Work 2×2 Rib for 2" (5 cm), ending after a WS row. (Approx. 14 rows; measure rather than count if preferred.)

Change to larger needles (US 7 / 4.5 mm).

Work in St st until piece measures 15" (38 cm) from cast-on edge, ending after a WS row. Checkpoint: still 104 sts.

Shape Armholes

BO 5 sts at beginning of next 2 rows. (94 sts) BO 3 sts at beginning of next 2 rows. (88 sts) BO 2 sts at beginning of next 2 rows. (84 sts)

Dec row (RS): K1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. (2 sts decreased) Next row (WS): Purl. Repeat these 2 rows 4 more times. (74 sts)

Work even in St st until armhole measures 8½" (21.5 cm), ending after a WS row. Checkpoint: 74 sts.

Shape Shoulders and Back Neck

Mark center 34 sts for neck.

Next row (RS): BO 8 sts, knit until there are 16 sts on right needle (this is right shoulder), join a second ball of yarn and BO center 34 sts, knit to end (left shoulder). Working both sides at once with separate balls:

Left shoulder (as worn): WS: BO 8 sts, purl to neck edge. RS: BO 2 sts at neck edge, knit to end. WS: BO remaining 6 sts.

Right shoulder: WS: Purl. RS: BO 8 sts, knit to neck edge. WS: BO 2 sts at neck edge, purl to end. RS: BO remaining 6 sts.

Fasten off. Back is complete.

FRONT

Work exactly as for Back until armhole shaping is complete and you have 74 sts, then continue until armhole measures 5½" (14 cm) from first armhole bind-off, ending after a WS row. (You will begin neck shaping while still working the remaining armhole depth.)

Shape Scoop Neck

Mark center 20 sts.

Next row (RS): K27 (left front), join second ball of yarn and BO center 20 sts, k27 (right front). Working both sides at once:

At each neck edge, dec 1 st every RS row 7 times as follows:

• Left front neck edge (end of RS row): knit to last 3 sts before neck, k2tog, k1.
• Right front neck edge (beg of RS row): K1, ssk, knit to end.
• WS rows: Purl both sides.

After 7 neck decreases each side you have 20 sts per shoulder. At the same time, when armhole measures same as Back (8½" / 21.5 cm), shape shoulders exactly as for Back: BO 8 sts once at each armhole edge, then BO 6 sts once at each armhole edge, while continuing any remaining neck decreases if needed. (Final shoulder bind-offs will leave 0 sts; the last 2 neck decreases may finish during the first shoulder bind-off rows—simply work them on the neck edge as usual.)

Fasten off. Front is complete.

FINISHING

Block

Gently steam-block or wet-block both pieces to measurements:

• Width 23" (58.5 cm)
• Length 24" (61 cm)
• Armhole depth 8½" (21.5 cm) Lay flat to dry completely. Acrylic holds shape well after steam.

Seam

With yarn needle and mattress stitch:

1. Seam both shoulders.
2. Seam side seams from hem ribbing up to underarm bind-off, leaving armholes open. (Match ribbing carefully.)

Armhole Bands

With smaller needles and RS facing, beginning at underarm seam, pick up and knit approximately 96–100 sts evenly around each armhole (about 3 sts for every 4 rows along vertical edges + the bound-off underarm sts). Work 2×2 Rib for 4 rounds/rows (or ¾" / 2 cm). BO loosely in rib pattern. Repeat for second armhole.

Neckband

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

• 6 sts down right back neck,
• 34 sts across back neck BO,
• 6 sts up left back neck,
• 22 sts down left front neck slope,
• 20 sts across front neck BO,
• 22 sts up right front neck slope. Total approx. 110 sts. Adjust by 1–2 sts if needed to keep band flat; multiple of 4 preferred for 2×2 rib.

Join to work in the round if using circular needle, or work back and forth and seam later. Work 2×2 Rib for 5 rounds/rows (approx. 1" / 2.5 cm). BO loosely in rib.

Final

Weave in all ends securely on WS. Give final light steam to seams and bands if desired. Do not stretch aggressively—acrylic has little memory recovery once overstretched.

Schematic (key dimensions)

        3½"     7½"     3½"
       |----|  |----|  |----|
       _____________________   ← shoulders / neck
      /                     \
     /        armhole        \  8½" depth
    |                         |
    |                         |
    |         BODY            |  15" to underarm
    |                         |
    |_________________________|
              23"
         (46" full bust)

Yarn Usage Note

Expected total: 750–850 m. You have 952 m—comfortable margin for gauge variation and bands. If you approach the end of the 4th skein while finishing bands, use a slightly tighter bind-off or reduce band height by 1 row.

Customization Tips (optional)

• Longer tunic: Add 2–3" before armhole shaping (extra yarn needed).
• Higher neck: Bind off only 14 center front sts and decrease 10 times instead of 7.
• Side slits: Leave bottom 3" of side seams open.

Enjoy your new layering tank! Measure as you go and you will have a comfortable, wearable M–L top that sits nicely over a blouse.