TERRACOTTA — One-Shoulder Ribbed Tank Top

A modern, minimalist one-shoulder tank with a body-hugging, waist-length silhouette. Worked sideways in back-loop-only half double crochet, the fabric forms a soft, stretchy vertical rib for an elegant high-end boho look. A single wide strap crosses the left shoulder while the right shoulder stays open. The straight hem and clean seams give a premium handmade finish in warm burnt orange (terracotta/rust).

Skill Level: Easy Construction: Two flat panels (Front + Back) worked sideways (hem-to-shoulder), then seamed at sides and left shoulder.

Materials

• Yarn: Chunky weight (Weight 5 / Bulky) 100% cotton, in burnt orange / terracotta.
• Approximate yardage:

  Size	Yards	Meters
  XS	460	421
  S	500	457
  M	545	499
  L	600	549
  XL	660	604
  XXL	720	659

• Hook: US J-10 / 6 mm (plus US I-9 / 5.5 mm optional for tighter edges).
• Notions: Tapestry needle, stitch markers, scissors, measuring tape.

Gauge

In BLO hdc rib, measured relaxed (not stretched):

• 12 hdc = 4 in (10 cm) → 3 sts per inch
• 11 rows = 4 in (10 cm) → 2.75 rows per inch

⚠️ Because the panels are worked sideways: the stitches in a row = garment HEIGHT, and the number of rows = garment WIDTH. Please make a swatch of at least 20 sts × 20 rows and block before starting.

Sizes (XS–XXL)

Designed with 2–4 in negative ease for a body-hugging fit; the rib stretches comfortably.

Finished Bust = Front width + Back width (each = half bust).

Abbreviations (US terms)

• BLO – back loop only
• ch – chain
• hdc – half double crochet
• RS / WS – right side / wrong side
• sl st – slip stitch
• st(s) – stitch(es)
• rep – repeat

Pattern Notes

• Ch 1 at the start of each row does NOT count as a stitch. Work your first hdc into the first stitch.
• Work all hdc in the BACK LOOP ONLY (except the very first foundation row, worked in the chain). This creates the vertical ribbing.
• Panels are worked sideways: you begin at one side edge and work across to the other side edge, row by row.
• The number of hdc in each full-height row = the LENGTH (height) of the garment. The number of rows = the WIDTH.
• Stitch counts are given in parentheses at the end of rows.
• Front and Back are worked identically so seams and shoulders line up. The one-shoulder asymmetry is created by the shoulder shaping built into both panels.

Key Counts by Size

Foundation (height) stitch count = the number of hdc in each full-height row:

Total rows per panel = Panel width × 2.75 (rounded to a whole number):

Math check (M): 60 sts ÷ 3 = 20" tall ✓; 47 rows ÷ 2.75 = 17.1" wide ✓; two panels = 34" bust ✓.

Shoulder & Armhole Shaping Concept

Each panel is a rectangle except for the top edge, which is shaped so that:

• The left third of the top edge stays at full height → forms the wide left shoulder strap.
• The middle third drops down → forms the neckline/upper chest scoop.
• The right third drops down further → forms the open right shoulder (no strap).

We divide the total rows into three sections. Using M (47 rows) as the worked example, sections are:

• Section A (Left strap): first 16 rows — full height.
• Section B (Neck scoop): middle 15 rows — reduced height.
• Section C (Open right shoulder): last 16 rows — most reduced height.

For your size, divide total rows into thirds (round as needed):

Height reductions from full count:

• Section A: full height (all sts).
• Section B: work only the lower 75% of stitches (drop top 25%) — creates gentle neck scoop.
• Section C: work only the lower 55% of stitches (drop top 45%) — creates the open right shoulder.

Example (M, full height = 60 sts):

• Section A rows = 60 sts each.
• Section B rows = 45 sts each (drop 15). 60 × 0.75 = 45 ✓
• Section C rows = 33 sts each (drop 27). 60 × 0.55 = 33 ✓

FRONT PANEL

You begin at the left side edge of the garment (which becomes the strap side).

Foundation

1. Ch (Height sts + 1). For M: ch 61.
2. Row 1 (RS): hdc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. For M: (60 hdc). Ch 1, turn.

From here, ALL hdc are worked in BLO.

Section A — Left Shoulder Strap (full height)

1. Rows 2 to [end of Sec A]: hdc BLO in each st across. (full height sts, e.g. 60) Ch 1, turn. Repeat for the number of Section A rows for your size (M: through Row 16).

Section B — Neck Scoop (75% height)

1. Next row (transition): hdc BLO in the lower 75% of stitches only (M: 45 sts), then leave remaining sts unworked. Ch 1, turn. (e.g. 45)
2. Continue Section B rows: hdc BLO across all sts of this shorter row. (e.g. 45) Ch 1, turn. Repeat for the number of Section B rows for your size (M: total 15 rows at 45 sts).

Section C — Open Right Shoulder (55% height)

1. Next row (transition): hdc BLO in the lower 55% of full height (M: 33 sts), leaving the rest unworked. Ch 1, turn. (e.g. 33)

2. Continue Section C rows: hdc BLO across. (e.g. 33) Ch 1, turn. Repeat for the number of Section C rows for your size (M: total 16 rows at 33 sts).

3. Fasten off, leaving a 12-in tail for seaming.

The stepped top edge now forms: full-height strap (left) → scooped neck (center) → dropped open shoulder (right). The straight foundation edge is the hem.

BACK PANEL

Work the Back identically to the Front (same foundation, same Sections A/B/C, same counts). This keeps the shoulder strap on the correct side and lets side + shoulder seams line up perfectly.

Fasten off, leaving a 12-in tail.

FINISHING

Blocking

Wet-block or steam both panels to finished measurements. Pin the straight hem straight and let the rib relax evenly. Blocking greatly improves the drape of cotton rib.

Side Seams

1. Lay Front and Back with RS together, hem edges aligned.
2. Using the mattress stitch or whip stitch with a tail, seam each side edge from hem upward, stopping about 7–8 in below the top to leave the armhole openings. Adjust armhole depth to taste (deeper for XL/XXL).
3. Repeat on the opposite side.

Left Shoulder Seam

1. Align the Section A (full-height strap) edges of Front and Back at the left shoulder. Seam across the top of the strap so the two panels join into one continuous wide shoulder band.
2. Do NOT seam the right shoulder — Section C's dropped edge stays open, creating the asymmetrical one-shoulder look.

Edging (optional, recommended for a premium finish)

1. With RS facing, join yarn at any edge of the neckline / open-shoulder opening. Work 1 round of sc evenly around the neckline, right-shoulder opening, and both armholes, working roughly 2 sc per row-end / 1 sc per st and skipping every 5th st along curves to keep edges flat. Sl st to join; fasten off.
2. Optionally add 1 round of sc along the hem for a crisp straight edge.

Weave In Ends

1. Weave in all ends securely on the WS. Trim.

Fit & Care Tips

• For a more fitted waist, go down one hook size (US I-9 / 5.5 mm) for the center 6–8 rows, or block with slight waist shaping.
• Cotton grows with wear; if between sizes, choose the smaller for a body-hugging result.
• Care: Hand wash cool, lay flat to dry, reshape to measurements. Do not wring the rib.

Final math validation (Size M):

• Height: 60 sts ÷ 3 sts/in = 20 in ✓
• Width: 47 rows ÷ 2.75 rows/in = 17.1 in per panel → 34 in bust ✓
• Section B height: 45 sts ÷ 3 = 15 in of the 20-in edge stays; 5 in scooped ✓
• Section C height: 33 sts ÷ 3 = 11 in stays; 9 in dropped for open shoulder ✓
• Section rows sum (16+15+16) = 47 = total rows ✓

Enjoy your elegant, handmade one-shoulder terracotta tank! 🍂