SONATA CREST OF THE WAVE TANK TOP Designed by Michelle Ciccariello
This top is worked from the top down, with no sewing or finishing required. The stitch pattern varies slightly, moving to a more opaque version to cover the bra. The lace stitch creates a wavy V-neck on one side and a scalloped neck on the other. Which is front and which is back is your choice. The V shape is created by joining the shoulder straps at a lower point where a full repeat of the stitch pattern is cast on, and the scalloped shape is formed by joining the straps earlier, and having the cast-on neckline stitches include an extra half-repeat of the stitch pattern on each side. The top has an a-line shape, achieved by changing to increasingly larger needles approximately every 3" to 4" after finishing opaque section. Sizes:
Crest of the Wave lace can be easily knit and blocked to accommodate exactly the finished size you desire. The bottom circumference of the tank is 14 repeats of the Crest of the Wave of the wave stitch pattern. This pattern offers two size ranges by offering 2 variations of the Crest of the Wave stitch pattern:
S to L finished bust 32" 40", after blocking (based on 12 st per repeat of Crest of the Wave).
XL to XXXL finished bust 42" 50", after blocking (based on 14 st per repeat of Crest of the Wave).
For sizes smaller than S, use the 12 st repeat, knit to a smaller gauge, on smaller needles.
For sizes larger than XXXL, use the 14 st repeat, knit to a larger gauge, on larger needles. Directions for sizes XL are given in parentheses. If there is only one figure, it applies to all sizes. Materials:
- 4-6 balls elann.com Sonata (50g/115 yds, 100% Mercerized Cotton, DK weight, 22 st/4")
- Less than one ball elann.com Esprit in matching color
- 16 circular needle, 4.0 mm (US 6), or size necessary to obtain desired gauge
- 3 or 4 more 16" circular needles in increasingly larger sizes
- stitch markers, various colors, some for increase markers, some to mark repeats of lace pattern
Gauge:
Model tank was knit at a gauge of 5.25 stitches per inch, across stocking stitch, unblocked, on 4.0mm (US 6 needles). Cast On:
You will be casting on the shoulders and knitting down from there.
CO 12 (14) sts each, from 2 different strands of yarn (2 ends of the same ball of yarn or 2 different balls) V-SIDE
Shoulders:
Knit back and forth, across both shoulders, for 4 rows in stockinette stitch, then switch to Crest of the Wave (for rows) stitch pattern
Neckline Shaping:
Increase 1 stitch (k-f&b into the second stitch in from the edge), each side of neckline EOR for 24 (28) rows [12 (14) new inc sts on each neckline edge], letting increases accumulate in queue areas (worked in st st).
(Hint: Dont place markers for the queue area until after first 4 rows, which are all in garter or stocking stitch; its easier than trying to place a marker in the middle of a k-f&b increase.)
Cast on 12 (14) stitches to span neckline
Continue knitting across all stitches with that strand of yarn, and permanently drop the other strand.
Chest & Armhole Shaping:
After a total of 3 cycles (36 rows) through the lace pattern, you reach the chest or where your bra might show through, so switch lace patterns to Crest of the Wave, Opaque (for rows).
This is also where you begin shaping for armholes by increasing 1 stitch on each end of the row, EOR, letting increases accumulate in queue areas (worked in st st).
Continue for 24 (28) more rows [12 (14) new inc sts on each end]
S T O P. SCALLOPED SIDE
Stitches from first side will wait while you work the second side. Move them to a ribbon to free up your needle, or just use another needle.
Pick up all of the cast-on stitches from the shoulders, in 2 separate groups of 12 (14) sts each, using 2 ends of 1 ball of yarn (or 2 different balls), one for each shoulder
Shoulders:
Repeat V-Side directions
Neckline Shaping:
Increase 1 stitch (k-f&b into the second stitch in from the edge), each side of neckline EOR for 12 (14) rows [6 (7) new inc sts on each neckline edge], letting increases accumulate in queue areas (worked in st st).
(Hint: Dont place markers for the queue area until after first 4 rows, which are all in garter and stocking stitch; its easier than trying to place a marker in the middle of a k-f&b increase.)
Cast on 24 (28) stitches to span neckline
Continue knitting across all stitches with that strand of yarn, and permanently drop the other strand.
Chest & Armhole Shaping:
After a total of 3 cycles (36 rows) through the lace pattern, you reach the chest or where your bra might show through, so switch lace patterns to Crest of the Wave, Opaque (for rows).
This is also where you begin shaping for armholes by increasing 1 stitch on each end of the row, EOR, letting increases accumulate in queue areas (worked in st st)
Continue for 24 (28) more rows [12 (14) new inc sts on each end]
S T O P.
REMAINDER OF BODY
The number of stitches, when you begin knitting in rounds, should be a multiple of 12 (14), so there will be no queue sts; if it is not, the armpits are the place and time to adjust as needed to meet the nearest multiple of 12 (14). The bottom circumference of the tank, as pictured, is 14 repeats of the Crest of the Wave of the wave stitch pattern, so you will have 168 (196) stitches in total.
If you want a much larger amount of fabric across the bust, cast on extra stitches at the armpit before joining. Use multiples of 12 (14) to keep an uninterrupted stitch pattern, multiples of 6 (7) to have half-repeat panels at the sides, and whatever number you like if you want side panels of plain stocking stitch or some other pattern.
Join, and knit in rounds from here to end with stitch patterns as follows.
Switch to Crest of the Wave II, Opaque (for rounds) for one more cycle (12 rows)
Switch to Crest of the Wave II (for rounds) or Crest of the Wave (for rounds) for remainder
(Crest of the Wave has two rows of purl ridges between each cycle of the pattern, Crest of the Wave II has only one. For a more open, swingy look, use version II, for greater definition between cycles of the pattern, use the regular version.)
At the same time, approximately every 3" to 4" after finishing opaque section, switch to one size larger in knitting needle
When you reach desired length, Bind off.
FINISHING
Blocking: Use a tank top for which you like the fit and block this top to match that size.
Neckline Edges: With Sonata, sc around neckline edges to stabilize them.
Armhole Edges:
This is where you get to fine-tune so that you have the perfect armholes. They will probably seem way too big right now, but will soon be just the right size.
Using Esprit, pick up the stitches all the way around each armhole, at a rate of pick up 2, skip one.
Armhole bands can be knit separately, or if desired, both can be knit at once using two circs (recommended). To do this, put the armhole fronts (armpit, up front, to shoulder) on one circ. Then put the armhole backs (armpit, up back, to shoulder) on the other circ. Use two different ends of the yarn ball, a separate one for each armhole
From RS purl around once (or from WS, knit)
Beginning next round, knit a band of moss or any non-curling stitch pattern. You will be knitting a band that is about 1.5 inches wide, although you can adjust that to fine-tune the exact size armholes you need.
For the first 4 rounds, decrease one stitch on each side of the armpit center, then place markers at ten stitches from each side of the armpit and decrease on the armpit side of each marker in addition to once on each side of the armpit center.
When you have the armholes down to the perfect size, bind off loosely.
You will find that your armholes will always fit beautifully; they will never suffer the excess stretch and sag that can happen to cotton knits over time. MOSS STITCH (Multiple of 2 sts)
R1: *K1, P1, rep from * to end of round.
R2: As R1 (K above k sts, P above p sts).
R3: *P1, K1 (P above k sts, K above p sts), rep from * to end of round.
R4: As R3.
Rep Rounds 1 to 4. LACE STITCH PATTERNS FOR SIZES S L (mltpl 12): Crest of The Wave (mltpl 12 + 1) (for rows)
Rows 1-4: k
Rows 5, 7, 9, 11: k1, *(k2tog)x2, (yo, k1)x3, yo, (k2tog-tbl)x2, k1, rep from * to end of row.
Rows 6, 8, 10, 12: Purl
Crest of The Wave, Opaque (mltpl 12 + 1) (for rows)
Rows 1-4: k
Rows 5, 7, 9, 11: k1, *(k2tog)x2, yo, k1-f&b, k1, k1-f&b, yo, (k2tog-tbl)x2, k1, rep from * to end of row.
Rows 6, 8, 10, 12: Purl
Crest of The Wave II, Opaque (mltpl 12) (for rounds)
Rnds 1 & 3: k
Rnd 2: p
Rnds 4, 6, 8, 10, 12: *(k2tog)x2, yo, k1-f&b, k1, k1-f&b, yo, (k2tog-tbl)x2, k1, rep from * to end of round.
Rnds 5, 7, 9, 11: knit
Crest of The Wave II (mltpl 12) (for rounds)
Rnds 1 & 3: k
Rnd 2: p
Rnds 4, 6, 8, 10, 12: *(k2tog)x2, (yo, k1)x3, yo, (k2tog-tbl)x2, k1, rep from * to end of round.
Rnds 5, 7, 9, 11: knit Crest of The Wave (mltpl 12) (for rounds)
Rnds 1, 3: k
Rnds 2, 4: p
Rnds 5, 7, 9, 11: *(k2tog)x2, (yo, k1)x3, yo, (k2tog-tbl)x2, k1, rep from * to end of round.
Rnds 6, 8, 10, 12: Knit
LACE STITCH PATTERNS FOR SIZES XL - XXXL (mltpl 14):
Crest of The Wave (mltpl 14 + 1) (for rows)
Rows 1-4: k
Rows 5, 7, 9, 11: k1, *(k2tog)x2, (yo, k1)x3, yo, (k2tog-tbl)x2, k3, rep from * to end of row.
Rows 6, 8, 10, 12: Purl Crest of The Wave, Opaque (mltpl 14 + 1) (for rows)
Rows 1-4: k
Rows 5, 7, 9, 11: k1, *(k2tog)x2, yo, k1-f&b, k1, k1-f&b, yo, (k2tog-tbl)x2, k3, rep from * to end of row.
Rows 6, 8, 10, 12: Purl Crest of The Wave II, Opaque (mltpl 14) (for rounds)
Rnds 1 & 3: k
Rnd 2: p
Rnds 4, 6, 8, 10, 12: *(k2tog)x2, yo, k1-f&b, k1, k1-f&b, yo, (k2tog-tbl)x2, k3, rep from * to end of round.
Rnds 5, 7, 9, 11: knit Crest of The Wave II (mltpl 14) (for rounds)
Rnds 1 & 3: k
Rnd 2: p
Rnds 4, 6, 8, 10, 12: *(k2tog)x2, (yo, k1)x3, yo, (k2tog-tbl)x2, k3, rep from * to end of round.
Rnds 5, 7, 9, 11: knit Crest of The Wave (mltpl 14) (for rounds)
Rnds 1, 3: k
Rnds 2, 4: p
Rnds 5, 7, 9, 11: *(k2tog)x2, (yo, k1)x3, yo, (k2tog-tbl)x2, k3, rep from * to end of round.
Rnds 6, 8, 10, 12: Knit
Abbreviations:
Approx - approximately, beg - begin(ning), BO - bind off, CC - contrast color, circ(s) - circular needle(s), cm - centimeter, cn - cable needle, CO - cast on, cont - continue(ing), dec - decrease, dc double crochet, EOR - every other row, ER - every row, es - edge stitch, inc - increase, k - knit, K-f&b - knit into front and back of st, L - left, MC - main color, meas - measures, mm - millimeters, P - purl, patt - pattern, pm - place marker, psso - pass slip st over, rem - remain, rep - repeat, Rev - reverse, R - right, rnd - round, RS(R) - right side (row), sc - single crochet, SKP - slip 1, knit 1, psso, s - slip, SSK - slip, slip, knit - slip next two stitches knitwise, one at a time, to right-hand needle. Insert tip of left-hand needle into fronts of these stitches, from left to right. Knit them together. One stitch has been decreased, st st - stocking stitch, st(s) - stitch(es), tbl - through back loop, tog - together, WS(R) - wrong side (row), wyib - with yarn in back, wyif - with yarn in front, yb - yarn back, yf - yarn forward, yo - yarn over. Please note this pattern is copyrighted material and the entire contents of this pattern are copyrighted as a collective work under the copyright laws of Canada and the United States. You may print a copy of this pattern for your own personal use and enjoyment, but editing, publishing, transmitting, e-mailing, posting it to a list service or database, or otherwise commercially exploiting this pattern is strictly forbidden. Michelle Ciccariello |
