purlJam

# Sun & Sand Backless Summer Tank

A breezy, beginner-friendly knit tank with a classic front and a low scooped back, secured with delicate I-cord ties at the neck and mid-back. Worked flat in two pieces in lightweight sport-weight cotton — perfect for hot days and beach evenings.

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## Sizes

XS (S, M, L, XL)

**Finished bust circumference:** 30 (34, 40, 44, 48)" / 76 (86, 102, 112, 122) cm
*Designed with 0–2" / 0–5 cm of positive ease. Choose the size closest to your actual bust measurement.*

**Finished front length (shoulder to hem):** 20 (20.5, 21, 21.5, 22)" / 51 (52, 53.5, 55, 56) cm

**Finished back length (longest point at center):** 13 (13, 13, 13.5, 13.5)" / 33 (33, 33, 34, 34) cm

Sample shown in size **M**.

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## Materials

- **Yarn:** Sport weight (CYC #2), cotton or cotton/linen blend recommended
  - Approx. **750 (850, 1000, 1100, 1250) yds / 685 (775, 915, 1005, 1145) m**
  - Suggested: a smooth mercerized cotton or cotton-linen for drape and breathability
- **Needles:**
  - **US 5 / 3.75 mm** straight or 24" circular (for main fabric)
  - **US 3 / 3.25 mm** straight or 24" circular (for ribbing and edges)
- **Notions:**
  - Stitch markers (2)
  - Stitch holders or waste yarn
  - Yarn needle for seaming
  - Scissors

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## Gauge

**24 sts × 32 rows = 4" / 10 cm** in Stockinette stitch on larger needles, after blocking.

*Take time to swatch — gauge determines fit!*

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## Abbreviations (US terms)

- **BO** – bind off
- **CO** – cast on
- **k** – knit
- **k2tog** – knit 2 together (right-leaning decrease)
- **p** – purl
- **rep** – repeat
- **RS** – right side
- **ssk** – slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
- **st(s)** – stitch(es)
- **WS** – wrong side

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## Stitch Patterns

**1×1 Rib (worked flat over even number of sts):**
- Row 1 (RS): *k1, p1; rep from * to end.
- Row 2 (WS): *p1, k1; rep from * to end (knit the knits, purl the purls).

**Stockinette Stitch:**
- RS rows: knit all sts.
- WS rows: purl all sts.

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## Pattern Notes

- The tank is worked flat in two pieces and seamed at the sides only. Shoulders are joined by I-cord ties at the neck. The back is a scooped triangular panel attached at the side seams and tied at center back.
- All shaping is sequential (no "at same time" instructions) for beginner ease.
- Slipping the first stitch of every row purlwise creates a tidy edge for seaming — optional but recommended.

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## FRONT

### Hem Ribbing

With **smaller needles**, CO **90 (102, 120, 132, 144) sts**.

Work in **1×1 Rib** for **1.5" / 4 cm**, ending after a WS row.

Change to **larger needles**.

### Body

Beginning with a knit (RS) row, work in **Stockinette stitch** until piece measures **13" / 33 cm** from cast-on, ending after a WS row.

*Math check: 90 sts ÷ 24 sts/4" = 15" wide → matches 30" finished bust for XS ✓ (M: 120 ÷ 24 × 4 = 20" → 40" bust ✓)*

### Armhole Shaping

**Row 1 (RS):** BO 4 sts, knit to end. — 86 (98, 116, 128, 140) sts
**Row 2 (WS):** BO 4 sts, purl to end. — 82 (94, 112, 124, 136) sts

**Decrease Row (RS):** k1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. — 2 sts decreased.
**Next Row (WS):** Purl.

Repeat the last 2 rows **5 (5, 6, 6, 7) more times**. — **70 (82, 98, 110, 120) sts** remain.

*Math check (M): 112 − (2 × 7) = 98 sts ✓*

Continue in Stockinette without further shaping until armhole measures **4 (4, 4.5, 4.5, 5)" / 10 (10, 11.5, 11.5, 12.5) cm**, ending after a WS row.

### Neck Shaping (Scoop Neck)

**Next Row (RS):** k **22 (27, 33, 38, 42)** sts, BO center **26 (28, 32, 34, 36)** sts, knit to end.

You will now work both sides separately. Place the right shoulder sts on a holder.

**Left Shoulder (worked first):**
With WS facing, purl across 22 (27, 33, 38, 42) sts.

**Neck Dec Row (RS):** Knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. — 1 st decreased.
**Next Row (WS):** Purl.

Repeat these 2 rows **6 (7, 9, 10, 10) more times**. — **15 (19, 23, 27, 31) sts**.

Work even in Stockinette until armhole measures **8 (8, 8.5, 8.5, 9)" / 20 (20, 21.5, 21.5, 23) cm**, ending after a WS row.

**BO all sts** loosely.

**Right Shoulder:**
Return held sts to larger needle, ready to work a WS row. Join yarn.

**Row 1 (WS):** Purl.
**Neck Dec Row (RS):** k1, ssk, knit to end. — 1 st decreased.
**Next Row (WS):** Purl.

Repeat the last 2 rows **5 (6, 8, 9, 9) more times**. — **15 (19, 23, 27, 31) sts**.

Work even until armhole measures **8 (8, 8.5, 8.5, 9)" / 20 (20, 21.5, 21.5, 23) cm**, ending after a WS row.

**BO all sts** loosely.

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## BACK (Scooped Backless Panel)

The back is a low cropped panel that covers the lower back only. Side seams join it to the front; I-cord ties at the top corners loop around the neck, and ties at the side corners wrap around the ribcage.

### Hem Ribbing

With **smaller needles**, CO **90 (102, 120, 132, 144) sts**.

Work in **1×1 Rib** for **1.5" / 4 cm**, ending after a WS row.

Change to **larger needles**.

### Body

Beginning with a knit (RS) row, work in **Stockinette stitch** until piece measures **5" / 12.5 cm** from cast-on, ending after a WS row.

### Shape Back Scoop (rapid decreases form a triangular/V-shaped top)

**Decrease Row (RS):** k1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. — 2 sts decreased.
**Next Row (WS):** Purl.

Repeat these 2 rows **until 10 sts remain**, ending after a WS row.

*Math check (M): 120 sts → need to lose 110 sts → 55 dec rows × 2 rows each = 110 rows ≈ 13.75" of additional fabric. Combined with 5" worked plain → total back length ~18.75" at the side seams... but only the first ~8" align with the side seam (matches front to underarm at row count 13"). The remaining decreases form the upper triangular silhouette above the seamed area, creating the open-back effect.*

**Note:** Once the panel narrows past the front side seam (at approximately the underarm row, around 8" of decreases), the decreasing edges no longer touch the front — this creates the open back. Continue decreasing as instructed.

When **10 sts** remain, work **2 rows** even in Stockinette.

**BO all 10 sts.**

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## FINISHING

### Blocking

Wet-block both pieces to schematic measurements. Cotton benefits greatly from blocking — pin gently and allow to fully dry.

### Side Seams

With RS together (or using mattress stitch on RS), seam the side edges of the front and back, beginning at the hem and continuing **8" / 20 cm** upward (to the front underarm).

The remaining edges of the back panel above the side seam are left free to form the open back.

### Neckline Edging & Ties

With **smaller needles** and RS facing, beginning at the right shoulder bind-off:

1. Pick up and knit **3 sts for every 4 rows** along the right neck edge, **1 st for each st** across the bound-off center neck, and **3 sts for every 4 rows** along the left neck edge.
2. Work **3 rows** in 1×1 Rib (begin and end with k1 on RS).
3. **BO loosely in pattern.**

### Shoulder/Neck Ties (make 2)

The shoulders are joined and adjusted by ties. With smaller needles:

1. CO 3 sts.
2. Work an **I-cord** for **12" / 30 cm**:
   - *Knit 3. Do not turn. Slide sts to the other end of the needle. Pull yarn snug across back. Rep from *.
3. BO.

**Attach** one tie securely to each front shoulder bind-off edge. To wear: thread each tie through the corresponding back panel top corner (or simply tie behind the neck through the back panel's top point), and tie in a bow at the nape or shoulders.

### Back Waist Ties (make 2)

With smaller needles, CO 3 sts and work I-cord for **18" / 46 cm**. BO.

**Attach** one tie to each top side corner of the back panel (where the back panel meets the open back area, just above the side seam). The two ties wrap around to the front or tie behind the back at the natural waist for additional support and adjustability.

### Final Touches

- Weave in all ends with a yarn needle.
- Steam-block edges lightly if needed to flatten ribbing.

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## Schematic Summary (Size M shown)

| Measurement | Inches | cm |
|---|---|---|
| Finished bust | 40" | 102 cm |
| Front length | 21" | 53.5 cm |
| Back panel length (center) | 13" | 33 cm |
| Armhole depth (front) | 8.5" | 21.5 cm |
| Shoulder width (each) | ~3.75" | 9.5 cm |
| Neck opening width | ~5.25" | 13.5 cm |

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Enjoy your breezy new summer tank! This piece looks beautiful over a high-waisted skirt or paired with linen trousers for warm-weather adventures. ☀️