The Emmen Tank Top features my favourite type of colourwork – it looks intricate but is incredibly simple and easy to knit. If you can knit and purl, you can knit this tank top. I love this pattern so much that I am tempted just to say, “I love it, and I hope you knit it and love it too!” – but I’ll try to be a little more descriptive!

The tank top is knitted in pieces. I enjoy this method because it creates seams which provide structure to a garment. When designing, I always consider how the pieces will come together, and for this pattern, I adjusted the stitch placement so that when sewn with mattress stitch, the stitch pattern isn’t interrupted, making it appear as though it was knitted in the round. I love incorporating these little details into my designs.

The original version uses three shades, but another option is to knit one in stripes with lots of colours! If you’d like to try out the technique before making the tank top, you can start with the Emmen DK Hat and Scarf. It’s also a great project for experimenting with colour combinations or using up leftover yarn.

CONSTRUCTION
The back and front are knitted flat from the bottom up in separate pieces and joined together. The neck and armhole edges are picked up and knitted.

TECHNIQUES USED
Cast on, knit, purl, decreasing at the armhole and neck shaping, slip stitch technique sometimes called mosaic colour work, cast off. Joining seams. Optional but recommended to create the feeling of joy when joining your pieces: mattress stitch and three needle cast off.

YARN
2(3:3:4:4:4) 100g hanks of WYS Bluefaced Leicester DK in shade A
100% British Bluefaced Leicester wool, 225m/246yds per 100g and
1(2:2:2:2:3) 100g hank(s) of WYS Shetland Croft DK in shade B.
100% Shetland wool, 225m/246yds per 100g

SUGGESTED KNITTING NEEDLES
3.75mm and 4mm.

GAUGE (tension)
22 stitches and 44 rows to 10cm/4ins square over dotty garter stitch pattern. I obtained this gauge with 4mm needles.
It is important to obtain the correct gauge so do work a swatch before you start the pattern and change your needle size to achieve the correct gauge if you need to.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
I recommend a negative or positive ease of 0-4ins/0-10cm at the chest.

Size
1, (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)

Chest circumference
86, (97, 108, 115, 126, 137)cm
33¾, (38¼, 42½, 45¼, 49½, 54¾)ins

Length (from top of shoulder to cast on edge)
49, (52, 58, 62, 67, 71)cm
19¼, (19¾, 21¼, 22, 26¼, 27¾)ins

NEED HELP?
I am here for you! Pop into the Skipton studio, send an email, or check out the Purl &Jane YouTube channel for tips, inspiration and guidance including handy resources like gauge (tension) guides and how to tutorials.