purlJam

# Seaside Eyelet Tank — A Lacey Summer Knit

A breezy, beginner-friendly sleeveless top featuring a simple all-over eyelet lace pattern in cool sport-weight cotton. Worked flat in two pieces and seamed, with tidy ribbed edgings at the neck and armholes. The lace repeat uses only two new techniques beyond plain knitting: a yarn over (yo) and a knit-two-together (k2tog) — both easy to master.

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## Sizes

Written for size **M (38–40" / 96–101 cm bust)** with ~2–4 cm positive ease.
Finished bust: **96 cm (38")**.
Finished length from shoulder: **50 cm (19¾")**.

*Note: To size up or down, adjust cast-on in multiples of 6 stitches (one full lace repeat = ~2.5 cm).*

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## Materials

- **Yarn**: Sport weight (3) cotton or cotton/linen blend, approximately **500 g / 1700 m** (e.g., 5 × 100 g balls at ~340 m per ball). Suggested colour: a soft natural or pale sea-blue.
- **Needles**:
  - 3.75 mm (UK 9 / US 5) straight or circular needles — main fabric
  - 3.25 mm (UK 10 / US 3) needles — for ribbed edgings
- **Notions**:
  - 2 stitch holders (or waste yarn)
  - Yarn needle for seaming
  - Stitch markers (optional)
  - Tape measure

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## Tension (Gauge)

**24 sts × 32 rows = 10 cm (4")** in stocking stitch on 3.75 mm needles, after blocking.
**22 sts × 30 rows = 10 cm** in eyelet lace pattern on 3.75 mm needles, after blocking.

*Always work a tension swatch and block it before starting. Cotton relaxes considerably after washing.*

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## Abbreviations (UK)

- **k** — knit
- **p** — purl
- **st(s)** — stitch(es)
- **yo** — yarn over (bring yarn forward to make a new stitch)
- **k2tog** — knit two stitches together (right-leaning decrease)
- **ssk** — slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
- **RS / WS** — right side / wrong side
- **BO** — bind off (cast off)
- **rep** — repeat
- **rem** — remaining

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## Stitch Patterns

**1×1 Rib** (worked over an odd number of sts):
- Row 1 (RS): K1, *p1, k1; rep from * to end.
- Row 2 (WS): P1, *k1, p1; rep from * to end.

**Simple Eyelet Lace** (multiple of 6 sts + 1):
- Row 1 (RS): K1, *yo, k2tog, k4; rep from * to end.
- Row 2 (WS): Purl all sts.
- Row 3 (RS): K1, *k3, yo, k2tog, k1; rep from * to end.
- Row 4 (WS): Purl all sts.
Repeat Rows 1–4 for pattern.

*Stitch count remains constant at all times (each yo is paired with a k2tog).*

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## BACK

**Ribbed Hem**
With 3.25 mm needles, cast on **115 sts**.
Work 1×1 Rib for 4 cm (~12 rows), ending after a WS row.

Change to 3.75 mm needles.

**Body**
Work in Eyelet Lace pattern, beginning with Row 1.
Continue in pattern until back measures **32 cm (12½")** from cast-on, ending after a WS row (Row 2 or Row 4 of pattern).

*Math check: 4 cm rib + 28 cm body = 32 cm to underarm. ✓*

**Shape Armholes**
Switch to stocking stitch (knit RS, purl WS) for all shaping rows to keep decreases tidy.

- Next 2 rows: BO 4 sts at beginning of each row. **(107 sts)**
- Decrease row (RS): K1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. **(105 sts)**
- Purl 1 row.
- Repeat the last 2 rows **5 more times**. **(95 sts)**

*Math check: 115 − 8 (BO) − 12 (decs) = 95 sts. ✓*

Continue even in stocking stitch until armhole measures **17 cm (6¾")**, ending after a WS row.

**Shape Shoulders**
- BO 10 sts at beginning of next 2 rows. **(75 sts)**
- BO 10 sts at beginning of following 2 rows. **(55 sts)**

Place remaining **55 sts** on a holder for back neck.

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## FRONT

Work as for Back through armhole shaping. **(95 sts after armhole shaping)**

Continue even in stocking stitch until armhole measures **9 cm (3½")**, ending after a WS row.

**Shape Scoop Neck**
- Next row (RS): K30, BO centre 35 sts, knit to end. **(30 sts each side)**

Working both sides at once with separate balls of yarn:

- Row 1 (WS): Purl across each side.
- Row 2 (RS, neck decreases): On the **right shoulder** (left side as worn): knit to last 3 sts of right shoulder, k2tog, k1. On the **left shoulder**: k1, ssk, knit to end. **(29 sts each side)**
- Row 3 (WS): Purl.
- Repeat Rows 2–3 **9 more times**. **(20 sts each side)**

*Math check: 30 − 10 decs = 20 sts each shoulder. ✓*

Continue even on 20 sts each side until armhole measures the same as Back to shoulder shaping, ending after a WS row.

**Shape Shoulders**
- BO 10 sts at the armhole edge at the beginning of the next 2 RS rows (one for each shoulder).
- Purl the WS row between.
- BO remaining 10 sts at the armhole edge on the next 2 RS rows.

*Math check: 20 = 10 + 10 ✓. Shoulder counts match the Back. ✓*

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## FINISHING

**1. Block the pieces**
Wet-block both pieces to schematic measurements. Pin out the lace so the eyelets open up. Allow to dry fully — this step is essential for cotton.

**2. Seam shoulders**
Using mattress stitch and a yarn needle, join front and back at the shoulders (10 sts + 10 sts = 20 sts per shoulder).

**3. Neckband**
With 3.25 mm needles and RS facing, beginning at the right shoulder seam:
- Pick up and knit approximately **130 sts** evenly around the neckline:
  - 55 sts across the back neck (from holder)
  - ~22 sts down the left front neck slope
  - 35 sts across the centre front BO
  - ~22 sts up the right front neck slope
- Place marker, join in the round.
- Work K1, P1 rib for **6 rounds** (~2 cm).
- BO loosely in pattern.

*Note: If working flat, simply seam the neckband at the shoulder afterwards.*

**4. Seam sides**
Using mattress stitch, seam the side seams from the underarm down to the ribbed hem.

**5. Armhole bands**
With 3.25 mm needles and RS facing, beginning at the underarm seam:
- Pick up and knit approximately **100 sts** evenly around each armhole.
- Place marker, join in the round.
- Work K1, P1 rib for **6 rounds** (~2 cm).
- BO loosely in pattern.

**6. Weave in all ends**
Use the yarn needle to weave ends along the wrong side, following the path of the stitches.

**7. Final wash and block**
Give your finished tank a gentle wash and lay flat to dry.

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## Schematic (Measurements)

| Section | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Finished bust (closed) | 96 cm / 38" |
| Total length | 50 cm / 19¾" |
| Hem to underarm | 32 cm / 12½" |
| Armhole depth | 17 cm / 6¾" |
| Shoulder width (each) | ~4 cm / 1½" |
| Back neck width | ~23 cm / 9" |
| Front neck depth | ~8 cm / 3¼" |

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## Beginner Tips

- **Counting in lace**: After every Row 1 or Row 3, count your stitches. You should always have 115 (or whatever your current count should be). If you're off by 1, you've likely missed a yo or worked an extra k2tog.
- **Edge stitches**: The first and last stitch of every row act as selvedge stitches — keep them in stocking stitch even when shaping, for tidy seaming.
- **Use lifelines**: Thread a length of smooth waste yarn through your live stitches every 10–20 rows. If you make a mistake, you can rip back safely to the lifeline.
- **Cotton has no memory**: Block thoroughly and avoid hanging the finished garment — fold and store flat.

Enjoy your new summer top! 🌿