purlJam

# Summer Breeze Tank Top
### A V-neck tank in Scheepjes Softfun

A light, breathable tank top worked flat in two pieces and seamed, with a flattering V-neckline and neat ribbed edges. The cotton-rich Softfun gives wonderful drape for warm days or easy layering. **Intermediate** level — you'll shape armholes and a V-neck, then seam and pick up edgings.

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## Sizes

| Size | XS | S | **M** | L | XL |
|------|----|----|----|----|----|
| To fit bust | 76–81cm | 86–91cm | **97–101cm** | 107–112cm | 117–122cm |
| Finished bust | 82cm | 92cm | **102cm** | 112cm | 122cm |
| Cast-on per piece | 74 | 82 | **92** | 102 | 110 |

*Pattern is written for size **M** with other sizes in (XS, S, M, L, XL) where they differ. If only one number appears, it applies to all sizes.*

Ease: approximately 2–5cm of positive ease (standard fit).

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## Materials

- **Yarn:** Scheepjes Softfun (60% cotton / 40% acrylic; 140m per 50g ball), worsted/DK-aran weight.
  - Quantities (approx.): XS: 4 balls · S: 5 balls · **M: 5 balls** · L: 6 balls · XL: 6 balls (200–300g)
- **Needles:**
  - 4.5mm (UK 7 / US 7) straight or circular needles — main fabric
  - 4.0mm (UK 8 / US 6) for the ribbed edges (optional, for a neater band)
- Stitch holders or waste yarn (2)
- Yarn needle for seaming
- Stitch markers

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## Tension (gauge)

**18 sts and 24 rows = 10cm** measured over stocking stitch on 4.5mm needles, after blocking.

*Please knit a tension square — Softfun relaxes after washing, so block your swatch first. Correct tension is essential for fit.*

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## Abbreviations (UK)

- **k** – knit
- **p** – purl
- **st(s)** – stitch(es)
- **RS / WS** – right side / wrong side
- **k2tog** – knit two together (right-leaning decrease)
- **ssk** – slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
- **st st** – stocking stitch (k on RS, p on WS)
- **rep** – repeat
- **beg** – beginning
- **rem** – remaining
- **tog** – together

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## Finished Measurements (Size M)

- Bust (around): ~102cm
- Length from hem to shoulder: ~58cm
- Armhole depth: ~21cm
- Neck depth (from shoulder to V-point): ~17cm

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## BACK

### Hem ribbing
Using 4.0mm needles, cast on **92** (74, 82, 92, 102, 110) sts.

**Row 1 (RS):** *k1, p1; rep from * to end.
**Row 2 (WS):** *k1, p1; rep from * to end (working sts as set, knitting the purls).

Continue in **1×1 rib** until work measures **4cm**, ending with a WS row.

### Body
Change to 4.5mm needles. Work in **st st** (RS: k all; WS: p all) until back measures **37cm** from cast-on, ending with a WS row.

*Stitch check: 92 sts on needle.*

### Shape armholes
**Bind-off rows:**
- Next 2 rows: Bind off 4 sts at beg of each row. → **84** sts.

**Decrease rows:**
- **Dec row (RS):** k2, ssk, k to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2. → 2 sts decreased.
- Work 1 WS row (purl).
- Repeat the last 2 rows **3 more times** (4 decrease rows total). → **76** sts.

*Stitch check: 84 − 8 = 76 sts.*

Work even in st st until armhole measures **21cm**, ending with a WS row.

### Shape shoulders
Bind off **5** sts at beg of next 2 rows. → 66 sts.
Bind off **6** sts at beg of next 2 rows. → 54 sts.
Bind off **6** sts at beg of next 2 rows. → 42 sts.

*Each shoulder = 5 + 6 + 6 = 17 sts... wait, see below.*

**Shoulder distribution (corrected):** Each shoulder = 22 sts, back neck = 32 sts (76 = 22 + 32 + 22).

Work shoulder shaping as follows so each shoulder uses 22 sts:
- Bind off **7** sts at beg of next 2 rows. → 62 sts
- Bind off **7** sts at beg of next 2 rows. → 48 sts
- Bind off **8** sts at beg of next 2 rows. → 32 sts

*Shoulder check: 7 + 7 + 8 = 22 sts each side ✓.*

Place rem **32** sts on a holder for the back neck.

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## FRONT

Work exactly as for the Back through the **hem, body, and armhole shaping**, until **76** sts remain after armhole decreases.

Work even until armhole measures **4cm**, ending with a WS row.

### Shape V-neck
You will now work both sides at once with two balls of yarn.

**Dividing row (RS):** k38, **join a second ball of yarn**, k to end. (38 sts each side.)

Working both sides at the same time with separate balls:

**Neck dec row (RS):**
- Right side (as worn): k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
- Left side: with second ball, k1, ssk, k to end.
→ 1 st decreased each side.

Work 1 WS row even (purl both sides).

Repeat these last 2 rows, decreasing 1 st at each neck edge **every RS row**, until **22** sts remain on each side.

*Decrease check: 38 − 22 = 16 decreases each side, worked over 32 rows (~13cm).*

Continue even on each side (no further neck decreases) until armhole measures the same as the Back (**21cm**), ending with a WS row.

### Shape shoulders (both sides at once)
At each armhole edge:
- Bind off **7** sts at beg of next armhole-edge row.
- Bind off **7** sts at the next armhole-edge row.
- Bind off **8** sts at the final armhole-edge row.

*Shoulder check: 7 + 7 + 8 = 22 sts each side ✓ — matches Back shoulders.*

Fasten off.

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## FINISHING

### Blocking
Gently wet-block or steam-block all pieces to the measurements given. This relaxes the Softfun, settles the stocking stitch and prevents curling. Allow to dry fully before seaming.

### Shoulder seams
With RS together (or using mattress stitch on RS), seam both shoulders, matching the 22-st shoulders.

### Neckband
With 4.0mm needles and RS facing, begin at the right shoulder seam. Pick up and knit evenly around the neck:
- Down the right front V-edge,
- 1 st at the centre V-point (place a marker here),
- up the left front V-edge,
- across the 32 held back-neck sts.

Aim for roughly **3 sts for every 4 rows** along the diagonals. Total should be an **even** number plus the centre stitch.

**Round 1:** Work k1, p1 rib to the marked centre stitch; at the V-point work a **double decrease** (slip 2 tog knitwise, k1, pass 2 slipped sts over) to keep the V crisp; continue in rib to end.
Work **3 rounds** of 1×1 rib, working the centre decrease on each round.
Cast off loosely in rib.

### Side seams
With RS together or mattress stitch, seam each side from hem to underarm, matching the rib and armhole shaping.

### Armhole bands
With 4.0mm needles and RS facing, beginning at the underarm seam, pick up and knit evenly around each armhole (approx. 3 sts per 4 rows, picking up the bound-off underarm sts too). Use an even number of stitches.
Work **3 rounds of 1×1 rib**. Cast off loosely in rib.

### Final
Weave in all ends. Give the finished top a final gentle block. 

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## Construction Notes & Tips

- **Stocking stitch curl:** The hem and bands counteract this — don't skip blocking.
- **V-neck symmetry:** Always work both neck edges on the same RS row so the two sides mirror perfectly.
- **Softfun substitution:** Any smooth worsted/aran cotton-blend at 18 sts/10cm will work; cotton/linen gives the best summer drape.
- **Length adjustment:** For a cropped look, work the body to ~32cm before armholes; for tunic length, add to ~45cm. Remember extra length uses more yarn.

Enjoy your handmade summer tank! 🌞