The Everyday Square-Neck Tank

A Minimalist Worsted-Cotton Tank Top with Ribbed Hem

A clean, breathable tank worked in simple half double crochet for a lightly textured fabric. Features a classic square neckline, wide 1.5–2 in shoulder straps, a relaxed straight fit, hip-length silhouette, and a wide back-loop-only ribbed hem. Perfect for beginners ready to make their first garment.

Color: Soft dusty denim blue (muted cornflower blue) Skill Level: Beginner Construction: Two flat panels (front + back), worked bottom-up, seamed.

MATERIALS

• Yarn: Worsted-weight (Medium / #4) 100% cotton, in soft dusty denim blue
  • Approx. yardage by size:

    Size	Yards	Meters
    XS	700	640
    S	780	715
    M	870	795
    L	960	880
    XL	1060	970
    2X	1160	1060
    3X	1270	1160
    4X	1380	1265
    5X	1490	1365

• Hook: US G-6 (4.0 mm) or US 7 (4.5 mm) — use whichever gives gauge. A smaller hook (3.75 mm) is helpful for the ribbed hem if desired.
• Notions: Tapestry needle, stitch markers (6–8), scissors, measuring tape, optional blocking mat and pins.

GAUGE

In HDC fabric (both loops): 14 sts × 11 rows = 4 in (10 cm) = 3.5 sts per inch and 2.75 rows per inch

Always make a 5 × 5 in swatch and block it before starting. Gauge is essential for correct fit.

SIZES

Designed for a relaxed fit with approx. 3–4 in of positive ease. Choose based on your actual bust measurement.

Finished length: ~22 in (hem 2.5 in + body 19.5 in). Adjustable — see notes.

Throughout the pattern, numbers are written as: XS (S, M, L, XL, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X).

ABBREVIATIONS (US Terms)

• ch — chain
• st(s) — stitch(es)
• sc — single crochet
• hdc — half double crochet
• BLO — back loop only
• hdc2tog — half double crochet 2 stitches together (decrease)
• sl st — slip stitch
• RS / WS — right side / wrong side
• sp — space
• rep — repeat

PATTERN NOTES

• The tank is made in two flat panels (Front and Back). Each panel begins with a sideways-worked BLO ribbed hem, then stitches are picked up along the long edge of the hem to work the body upward in HDC.
• Turning chain: The ch-1 at the start of HDC rows does NOT count as a stitch. Work your first hdc into the very first stitch.
• Stitch counts appear in parentheses at the end of each row.
• Front and Back are worked identically until the neckline. The Back has a higher, shallower neckline; the Front has a deeper square neckline. (Instructions given for both.)
• hdc2tog: [Yarn over, insert hook in next st, yarn over, pull up a loop] twice (5 loops on hook), yarn over, pull through all 5 loops.
• The straps are extensions of the panel shoulders and are seamed front-to-back.

PART 1 — THE RIBBED HEM (make 2, one for Front, one for Back)

The hem is worked sideways in short rows, using back-loop-only single crochet to create vertical rib texture. The length of this strip = the panel width.

Set-up: Ch 10. (This makes a hem ~2.5 in tall.)

Row 1: Starting in 2nd ch from hook, sc in each ch across. (9 sc) Row 2: Ch 1, turn. BLO sc in each st across. (9 sc) Rows 3 to end: Rep Row 2, working every sc in the back loop only.

Continue until the ribbed strip, gently stretched, measures the Panel Width for your size:

Tip: The number of rows here matches your Panel Stitch count so you can pick up one body stitch per hem row.

Fasten off. Make a second identical hem.

PART 2 — THE BODY (Back Panel)

Pick-up Row (RS): With the long top edge of the hem facing you, join yarn at the right edge. Ch 1, work 1 hdc into the end of each ribbed row across the long edge. Stitch count = 52 (60, 66, 74, 80, 88, 94, 102, 108).

Body Rows: Ch 1, turn. Hdc in each st across. Rep this row until the body (measured from the top of the hem) reaches 12 in (or desired length to underarm). = approx. 33 rows at gauge.

Stitch count stays 52 (60, 66, 74, 80, 88, 94, 102, 108) every row.

ARMHOLE SHAPING (Back)

Row 1 (bind-off both sides): Sl st across first 4 (4, 5, 6, 6, 7, 8, 9, 9) sts, ch 1, hdc in each st until 4 (4, 5, 6, 6, 7, 8, 9, 9) sts remain, turn, leaving those unworked. Remaining sts = 44 (52, 56, 62, 68, 74, 78, 84, 90).

Decrease Rows: Ch 1, turn. Hdc2tog, hdc across to last 2 sts, hdc2tog. (decrease of 2) Rep this decrease row 3 (3, 4, 4, 5, 5, 5, 6, 6) times total.

Stitch count after decreases: 38 (46, 48, 54, 58, 64, 68, 72, 78).

Math check: 44 − (2×3) = 38 ✓ (XS). 66→56→ (56−4−4 edge)=48→48−2×4=... verified even counts above.

Even Rows: Ch 1, turn. Hdc in each st across. Continue even until armhole measures 5 in from start of armhole (approx. 14 rows).

BACK NECKLINE (Square)

The back neck is worked in two shoulder sections with a straight center bind-off.

Divide the current row into thirds: two shoulder groups + a center neck.

Shoulder stitch count (each side): 7 (8, 8, 9, 9, 10, 11, 11, 12) sts Center back neck: remaining center sts (bound off).

Right Shoulder (RS): Ch 1, hdc in first 7 (8, 8, 9, 9, 10, 11, 11, 12) sts. Turn, leaving the rest unworked. Work even in hdc on these sts until the shoulder/strap measures 2.5 in past the neck division (approx. 7 rows). This forms the wide strap. Fasten off.

Left Shoulder (RS): With RS facing, skip the center 24 (30, 32, 36, 40, 44, 46, 50, 54) sts, join yarn to the next st. Ch 1, hdc in each of the last 7 (8, 8, 9, 9, 10, 11, 11, 12) sts. Turn. Work even to match the right shoulder. Fasten off.

Strap width check: 7 sts ÷ 3.5 sts/in = 2.0 in. ✓ (within 1.5–2 in target). Smaller sizes 7 sts = 2.0"; adjust to 6 sts for a 1.7" strap if preferred.

PART 3 — THE FRONT PANEL

Work the Front exactly as the Back through the ribbed hem, body, and armhole shaping, ending after the armhole decreases and even rows so that the armhole measures 3 in from its start (this is shorter than the back — the front neck starts lower).

Current stitch count matches Back: 38 (46, 48, 54, 58, 64, 68, 72, 78).

FRONT SQUARE NECKLINE

For a deeper square neck, divide into two shoulders + a wider center neck.

Shoulder stitch count (each side): 7 (8, 8, 9, 9, 10, 11, 11, 12) sts (same as back straps, so they align). Center front neck: 24 (30, 32, 36, 40, 44, 46, 50, 54) sts (bound off — same count as back for a clean square).

Right Front Shoulder (RS): Ch 1, hdc in first 7 (8, 8, 9, 9, 10, 11, 11, 12) sts. Turn, leaving rest unworked. Work even in hdc until this strap measures 4.5 in from the neck division (approx. 12 rows) — longer than the back so the front neck sits lower and the straps meet the back at the shoulder. Fasten off.

Left Front Shoulder (RS): With RS facing, skip center 24 (30, 32, 36, 40, 44, 46, 50, 54) sts, join yarn. Ch 1, hdc in the last 7 (8, 8, 9, 9, 10, 11, 11, 12) sts. Turn. Work even to match. Fasten off.

Square-neck check: Front and back center bind-offs both = 24 (30, 32, 36, 40, 44, 46, 50, 54) sts, so the neckline is a true rectangle. ✓

PART 4 — ASSEMBLY

1. Block both panels to measurements. Pin flat, mist with water, allow to dry. This evens the fabric and relaxes the ribbing.

2. Shoulder/strap seams: With RS together, align the top of each Front strap with the corresponding Back strap. Whipstitch or sl st seam across the strap ends. Repeat for both shoulders.

3. Side seams: With RS together, align Front and Back side edges from the hem up to the start of the armhole shaping. Whipstitch the side seams on both sides, matching hem rib and body rows. Leave armholes open.

4. Weave in the underarm/shoulder junction neatly.

PART 5 — EDGING (Neckline & Armholes)

Minimal, clean single-crochet edging keeps the modern look.

Neckline: With RS facing, join yarn at a bottom corner of the square neck. Ch 1, work sc evenly around the entire neckline opening:

• 1 sc in each st along the bound-off center front and back edges,
• approx. 2 sc for every 3 rows along the vertical strap/side edges,
• 3 sc in each of the 4 inner corners to keep them crisp and square. Join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off. Weave in ends.

Tip: For a truly sharp square corner, work (sc, ch 1, sc) into each corner st instead of 3 sc.

Armholes (both): With RS facing, join yarn at the underarm seam. Ch 1, sc evenly around the armhole opening:

• 1 sc per st along bound-off underarm edges,
• approx. 2 sc per 3 rows along the curved/vertical edges. Join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off. Weave in ends.

Keep edging to ONE round only for the intended minimalist finish.

FINISHING

• Weave in all remaining ends with a tapestry needle.
• Give the finished tank a final gentle steam or wet block.
• Optional: run a single row of sc along the very bottom of the hem if you'd like a firmer edge (not required).

CUSTOMIZATION NOTES

• Length: Add or remove body rows before the armhole. Each row ≈ 0.36 in.
• Looser fit: Go up one size or one hook size.
• Narrower straps: Reduce each shoulder to 6 sts (≈1.7 in).
• Higher front neck: Work the front neckline like the back (start neck shaping at 5 in armhole depth instead of 3 in).

QUICK STITCH-COUNT REFERENCE

Verification: shoulders + center neck = total. Example M: 8 + 32 + 8 = 48 ✓. Example L: 9 + 36 + 9 = 54 ✓. Example 5X: 12 + 54 + 12 = 78 ✓.

Enjoy your handmade Everyday Square-Neck Tank! This breathable cotton piece layers beautifully and works for warm-weather everyday wear.