The Open-Air Tank

A Minimalist Filet Mesh Sleeveless Top with Square Neckline & Wide Straps

A breezy, size-inclusive tank worked in a clean chain-space mesh. Two flat panels (front and back) are worked from the hem up, shaped simply at the armholes and square neckline, seamed, and finished with a tidy single crochet border and a softly rounded hem. Beginner-friendly, endlessly wearable.

MATERIALS

• Yarn: Sport weight (#2 Fine) cotton or cotton blend
  • Recommended: smooth, matte mercerized cotton for stitch definition
• Yardage by size (approx., includes border):

• Hook: US G-6 (4.0 mm) for body; US F-5 (3.75 mm) for border
• Notions: Tapestry needle, stitch markers, scissors, measuring tape

GAUGE

Worked in filet mesh with G-6 (4.0 mm) hook: 5 mesh = 4" (10 cm) wide; 8 rows = 4" (10 cm) tall

• 1 mesh = 1 dc + ch-1 space = 0.8" wide
• 1 row = 0.5" tall

Gauge is critical for fit. Make a swatch of at least 10 mesh × 10 rows and block before starting.

Mesh definition: One "mesh" = [dc, ch 1]. A row of mesh is anchored at each end by a dc worked into the previous row's dc (not into a ch space). The turning ch-3 counts as the first dc of each row.

SIZES

Finished bust (garment, with ~2" positive ease). Choose based on your bust measurement + 1–3" ease for a relaxed fit.

*Length measured from hem to shoulder, adjustable (see Notes).

Instructions are written for XS, with other sizes in brackets: XS (S, M, L, XL) [2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL].

Panel mesh count: 21 (23, 25, 27, 29) [31, 33, 35, 37]

ABBREVIATIONS (US Terms)

• ch – chain
• sc – single crochet
• dc – double crochet
• sl st – slip stitch
• sp – space
• st(s) – stitch(es)
• beg – beginning
• rep – repeat
• RS / WS – right side / wrong side
• [ ] – repeat instructions between brackets
• mesh – 1 dc + ch 1 (see Gauge)

PATTERN NOTES

• Turning ch-3 counts as the first dc of every row.
• Make two identical panels through the armhole shaping; they then differ only at the neckline (both use the same square neckline, so they are actually identical — see note).
• Both panels are worked identically, including the square neckline. This keeps the tank fully reversible and simplifies construction.
• Work in both loops throughout unless noted.
• Stitch counts are given as total dc at the end of each row. Each mesh = 1 dc; the final anchoring dc adds 1 extra dc. So a row of N mesh contains N + 1 dc.
• To lengthen/shorten, add or remove mesh rows in even multiples before armhole shaping (each row = 0.5").
• Straps are formed by the outer columns of mesh that remain after the neckline is bound off; they are seamlessly integrated (no separate strap pieces).

SPECIAL STITCH

Filet Mesh Row (over existing mesh): Ch 3 (counts as dc), skip first dc + ch-sp, dc in next dc, ch 1; rep across skipping each ch-sp; end dc in top of turning ch-3. Turn.

INSTRUCTIONS

FOUNDATION (make 2 panels)

Foundation chain: Ch 44 (48, 52, 56, 60) [64, 68, 72, 76]. (Formula: [mesh × 2] + 2. For XS: 21 × 2 + 2 = 44.)

Row 1 (RS): Dc in 6th ch from hook (skipped 5 ch = first mesh + turning), ch 1, skip 1 ch, dc in next ch, ch 1, skip 1 ch; rep across to last 2 ch, skip 1 ch, dc in last ch. Turn. → You should have 21 (23, 25, 27, 29) [31, 33, 35, 37] mesh, i.e. 22 (24, 26, 28, 30) [32, 34, 36, 38] dc.

(Check: foundation 44 ch → first dc uses ch 6 = 1 mesh; remaining pattern yields 21 mesh total. ✓)

Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as dc), skip first dc + ch-1 sp, dc in next dc, ch 1; rep across, ending dc in top of turning ch-3. Turn. → 21 (23, 25, 27, 29) [31, 33, 35, 37] mesh.

Rows 3–24 (26, 28, 30, 32) [34, 36, 38, 40]: Rep Row 2.

Work even in mesh until panel measures 13 (13, 13.5, 13.5, 14) [14, 14.5, 14.5, 15]" from foundation, ending after a WS row.

(At gauge 0.5"/row: 13" ≈ 26 rows including foundation. Adjust here for length.)

ARMHOLE SHAPING

Armholes are shaped by decreasing whole mesh at each edge. Decrease 2 (2, 3, 3, 3) [4, 4, 5, 5] mesh at each side, once.

Row A (dec row, RS): Sl st across first 2 (2, 3, 3, 3) [4, 4, 5, 5] mesh (each sl st into dc and ch-sp; you are removing mesh at the edge), ch 3 (counts as dc), continue mesh pattern across until 2 (2, 3, 3, 3) [4, 4, 5, 5] mesh remain unworked, leaving them unworked; turn (do not work the last mesh columns). → Remaining: 17 (19, 19, 21, 23) [23, 25, 25, 27] mesh.

(Check XS: 21 − 2 − 2 = 17 mesh. ✓)

Next rows: Work even in mesh pattern on remaining mesh until armhole measures 6.5 (7, 7, 7.5, 7.5) [8, 8, 8.5, 8.5]" from start of armhole shaping, ending after a WS row.

Armhole even rows ≈ 13 (14, 14, 15, 15) [16, 16, 17, 17] rows.

SQUARE NECKLINE & STRAPS

The center neckline mesh are bound off in one step; the outer mesh columns on each side continue upward as the two wide, integrated straps.

Strap mesh each side: 4 (4, 4, 5, 5) [5, 6, 6, 6] mesh Center neckline mesh (bound off): remaining center mesh

Center bind-off = Total remaining mesh − (2 × strap mesh): = 9 (11, 11, 11, 13) [13, 13, 13, 15] mesh bound off at center.

(Check XS: 17 − (2×4) = 9 center mesh. ✓)

Row N (RS) – First strap: Ch 3 (counts as dc), work mesh pattern across the first 4 (4, 4, 5, 5) [5, 6, 6, 6] mesh; turn, leaving remaining mesh unworked. → 4 (4, 4, 5, 5) [5, 6, 6, 6] mesh on this strap.

Continue first strap: Work even in mesh until strap measures 3 (3, 3.5, 3.5, 4) [4, 4, 4.5, 4.5]", ending after a WS row. Fasten off. Strap rows ≈ 6 (6, 7, 7, 8) [8, 8, 9, 9] rows.

Second strap (RS): With RS facing, skip the center 9 (11, 11, 11, 13) [13, 13, 13, 15] mesh, join yarn with sl st in the next dc, ch 3 (counts as dc), work mesh pattern across the final 4 (4, 4, 5, 5) [5, 6, 6, 6] mesh; turn. → 4 (4, 4, 5, 5) [5, 6, 6, 6] mesh.

Work even to match first strap. Fasten off.

Repeat entire panel for the second piece (front and back are identical).

ASSEMBLY

1. Block both panels to finished measurements. Mesh opens up beautifully when blocked — do not skip this.
2. Shoulder seams: With RS together, whipstitch or sl st each front strap to the matching back strap along the top edge. Ensure straps align evenly. There are 2 shoulder seams.
3. Side seams: With RS together, seam each side from hem up to the base of the armhole. Match mesh rows for a clean line. Leave armholes open.

FINISHING – BORDERS

Use F-5 (3.75 mm) hook for a firm, tidy edge. Work sc evenly, roughly 2 sc per mesh column and 1 sc per row-end.

Rounded Hem & Body Edge

Rnd 1 (RS): Join yarn at a side seam at the lower edge. Sc evenly all around the bottom hem, working an extra sc into each corner mesh to gently round the hem (2 sc in each of the two bottom corners). Join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off.

For a softly rounded hem, work 2 sc in the last mesh of each lower corner and skip no stitches along the bottom — this eases the corners into a curve rather than a sharp angle.

Armhole Borders (x2)

Rnd 1 (RS): Join yarn at underarm side seam. Sc evenly around each armhole opening, keeping tension firm so the edge doesn't gap. Join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off.

Neckline Border (front and back, or continuous)

Rnd 1 (RS): Join yarn at one shoulder seam. Sc evenly around the entire square neckline — down the inner strap edge, across the bound-off center, up the next strap edge, across the top — working 1 sc in each st and 2 sc in each inner corner to keep the square crisp. Join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off.

Corner tip: For sharp square-neck corners, work (sc, ch 1, sc) into each of the two inner neckline corners.

Final Steps

• Weave in all ends securely with a tapestry needle.
• Give the finished tank a final light blocking to even the borders.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS RECAP (XS)

• Bust (garment): 34" (17" per panel × 2) ✓
• Total length: ~21" (hem 13" + armhole 6.5" + strap/shoulder allowance) ✓
• Strap width: 4 mesh × 0.8" ≈ 3.2" — a sturdy, wide strap ✓
• Neckline width: 9 center mesh × 0.8" ≈ 7.2" square opening ✓

Math validation:

• Panel mesh (21) × 0.8" = 16.8" ≈ 17" ✓
• Armhole dec: 21 − 4 = 17 mesh remaining ✓
• Straps + neck: (4 × 2) + 9 = 17 mesh = full remaining count ✓
• All sizes follow: panel = 21 + 2(size step); scaling verified consistent across XS–5XL ✓

Enjoy your breezy, minimalist Open-Air Tank!