It seems like indigo dye is everywhere right now, from bright blue shower curtains to saturated shirts and pillows to deep dark denim bedding. I’m so smitten with the color I’ve contemplated setting up an indigo vat in my itty-bitty Brooklyn apartment!

Notched Hem Tank Top | Purl Soho

But since I can’t imagine my landlord or my roommates being too happy with a dye kitchen in the house, I did a little dance of joy when I saw that Habu Textiles had done the work for me. Knitted Linen in Dark Indigo glows with intensity. Finally, the rich indigo I crave, without the stained hands and sink!

Notched Hem Tank Top | Purl Soho

I used Knitted Linen to whip up this easy-fitting Notched Hem Tank Top. The front and back panels are in stockinette stitch, and the flattering side panels are in reverse stockinette. The notched hem, slightly longer in the back than the front, gives this tank an airy feel, just right for layering over shorts and skirts. Summertime, easy breezy knitting and beautiful indigo… Now we’re talking! -Gina

Designed by Purl Soho designer, Gina Rockenwagner. Click here to see even more of Gina’s designs!

Share your progress and connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho, #PurlSohoBusyHands, and #PurlSohoNotchedHemTankTop. We can’t wait to see what you make!

Materials

Notched Hem Tank Top | Purl Soho
  • 11 (12, 14, 15, 16) skeins of Habu Textiles’ Knitted Linen Tape, 100% linen; approximately 506 (552, 644, 690, 735) yards of a fingering weight yarn required. We used the color Dark Indigo.
  • US 4 (3.5 mm) circular or straight needles
  • US 7 (4.5 mm), 32-inch circular needle
  • Stitch holders or scrap yarn
  • stitch marker

NOTE: Just like your favorite dark jeans, the indigo used to dye this yarn can transfer to light colored fabrics. Please wash the tank top separately from other items for the first couple of washes to prevent staining any light colored clothing.

Gauge

21 stitches and 28 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch, using the larger needle.

Sizes

NOTE For help picking a size, please check out our Understanding Ease + Selecting Size Tutorial!

34 (37, 40, 43, 46)

  • Finished Chest Circumference: 34 (37, 40, 43, 46) inches
  • Finished Length from Shoulder to Bottom Edge (Back): 24 ¼ (24 ¾, 25 ¾, 26, 27) inches
  • Finished Length from Underarm to Bottom Edge (Front): 16 (16, 16 ½, 16 ½, 17) inches

Sample: Size 37 is pictured here, shown with 2 inches of positive ease.

Notched Hem Tank Top | Purl Soho

NOTES

SHORT-ROW SHAPING: WRP-T (WRAP AND TURN)

NOTE: For more information about this technique, please visit our Short Rows tutorial.

On the right side: Keeping yarn in back, slip next stitch purlwise from left needle to right needle. Bring yarn to front. Return slipped stitch to left needle. Bring yarn to back. Turn work so wrong side is facing you.

On the wrong side: Keeping yarn in front, slip next stitch purlwise from left needle to right needle. Bring yarn to back. Return slipped stitch to left needle. Bring yarn to front. Turn work so right side is facing you.

PICKING UP PURL WRAP ON KNIT SIDE

NOTE: See this situation in action at minute 4:33 of our Short Rows tutorial.

Use tip of right needle to pick up wrap, inserting needle from front to back. Place wrap onto left needle, nudging wrap, if necessary, so it is after next stitch on needle. Slip first stitch knitwise, then slip wrap purlwise. Insert tip of left needle into front legs of two slipped stitches. Wrap working yarn around right needle to knit two together.

Pattern

Begin Back

*With the smaller needle(s), cast on 79 (85, 91, 97, 103) stitches. We used a basic Long Tail Cast On.

Ribbing Row 1 (wrong side): Slip 1 with yarn in front (wyif), *k1, p1, repeat from * to end of row.

Ribbing Row 2 (right side): Slip 1 with yarn in back (wyib), *p1, k1, repeat from * to end of row.

Repeat Ribbing Rows 1 and 2 until piece measures 1 inch from the cast-on edge, ending with a Row 1.

Change to larger needle and still working back and forth in rows…

Next Row (right side): Slip 1 wyib, knit to end of row.

Next Row (wrong side): Slip 1 wyif, purl to end of row.

Repeat the last two rows until piece measures 4 inches from the cast-on edge, ending with a wrong side row.**

Cut the yarn and place the stitches on a stitch holder or scrap yarn.

Begin Front

Work as for the “Begin Back” section from * to **.

Do not cut the yarn.

Join to Work in the Round

Knit across the 79 (85, 91, 97, 103) stitches of the Front; turn so the wrong side is facing you and cable cast on 16 (18, 20, 22, 24) stitches; turn so the right side is facing you, knit across the 79 (85, 91, 97, 103) stitches of the Back; turn so the wrong side is facing you and cable cast on 8 (9, 10, 11, 12) stitches, place a marker, cable cast on 8 (9, 10, 11, 12) stitches; turn so the right side is facing you.

Carefully checking to make sure the stitches are not twisted around the needle, join to work in the round. [190 (206, 222, 238, 254) stitches]

Continue in the Round

Note: Round 1 is a partial round to bring you back to the stitch marker, which now marks the beginning of the round.

Round 1: K79 (85, 91, 97, 103), p16 (18, 20, 22, 24), k79 (85, 91, 97, 103), p8 (9, 10, 11, 12).

Round 2: P8 (9, 10, 11, 12), k79 (85, 91, 97, 103), p16 (18, 20, 22, 24), k79 (85, 91, 97, 103), p8 (9, 10, 11, 12).

Repeat Round 2 until piece measures 7 inches from the cast-on edges of the Front and Back hems.

Shape Back and Body

Note: The Back is shaped with short rows, and the Body is shaped with decreases at the sides. If you need some short row pointers, please visit our Short Rows Tutorial.

Short Row 1 (right side): P8 (9, 10, 11, 12), k79 (85, 91, 97, 103), p16 (18, 20, 22, 24), k77 (83, 89, 95, 101), wrap and turn.

Short Row 2 (wrong side): P75 (81, 87, 93, 99), wrap and turn.

Short Row 3: K77 (83, 89, 95, 101), working wrapped stitch with its wrap as you come to it, p8 (9, 10, 11, 12).

Decrease Round 1: P7 (8, 9, 10, 11), k2tog, k77 (83, 89, 95, 101), ssk, p14 (16, 18, 20, 22), k2tog, k77 (83, 89, 95, 101), working wrapped stitch with its wrap as you come to it, ssk, p7 (8, 9, 10, 11). [186 (202, 218, 234, 250) stitches]

Next round: P7 (8, 9, 10, 11), k79 (85, 91, 97, 103), p14 (16, 18, 20, 22), k79 (85, 91, 97, 103), p7 (8, 9, 10, 11).

Repeat the last round until piece measures 10 inches from the cast-on edge of the Front hem.

Short Row 4 (right side): P7 (8, 9, 10, 11), k79 (85, 91, 97, 103), p14 (16, 18, 20, 22), k77 (83, 89, 95, 101), wrap and turn.

Short Row 5 (wrong side): P75 (81, 87, 93, 99), wrap and turn.

Short Row 6: K77 (83, 89, 95, 101), working wrapped stitch with its wrap as you come to it, p7 (8, 9, 10, 11).

Decrease Round 2: P6 (7, 8, 9, 10), k2tog, k77 (83, 89, 95, 101), ssk, p12 (14, 16, 18, 20), k2tog, k77 (83, 89, 95, 101), working wrapped stitch with its wrap as you come to it, ssk, p6 (7, 8, 9, 10). [182 (198, 214, 230, 246) stitches]

Next Round: P6 (7, 8, 9, 10), k79 (85, 91, 97, 103), p12 (14, 16, 18, 20), k79 (85, 91, 97, 103), p6 (7, 8, 9, 10).

Repeat the last round until piece measures 13 inches from the cast-on edge of the Front hem.

Short Row 7 (right side): P6 (7, 8, 9, 10), k79 (85, 91, 97, 103), p12 (14, 16, 18, 20), k77 (83, 89, 95, 101), wrap and turn.

Short Row 8 (wrong side): P75 (81, 87, 93, 99), wrap and turn.

Short Row 9: K77 (83, 89, 95, 101), working wrapped stitch with its wrap as you come to it, p6 (7, 8, 9, 10).

Decrease Round 3: P5 (6, 7, 8, 9), k2tog, k77 (83, 89, 95, 101), ssk, p10 (12, 14, 16, 18), k2tog, k77 (83, 89, 95, 101), working wrapped stitch with its wrap as you come to it, ssk, p5 (6, 7, 8, 9). [178 (194, 210, 226, 242) stitches]

Next Round: P5 (6, 7, 8, 9), k79 (85, 91, 97, 103), p10 (12, 14, 16, 18), k79 (85, 91, 97, 103), p5 (6, 7, 8, 9).

Repeat the last round until work measures 16 (16, 16 ½, 16 ½, 17) inches from the cast-on edge of the Front hem, ending 3 (4, 5, 6, 7) stitches before marker on final round.

Divide Work for Top Front and Back

Dividing Round: Bind off the next 6 (8, 10, 12, 14) stitches (removing marker), p2 (including the last stitch from bind off), k79 (85, 91, 97, 103) across the Front, p2, bind off the next 6 (8, 10, 12, 14) stitches, p2 (including the last stitch from bind off), k79 (85, 91, 97, 103) across the Back, p2.

Place the 83 (89, 95, 101, 107) stitches of the Front on a stitch holder or scrap yarn.

Top Back

Note: For the Top Back and Top Front, you will not be working in the round; you will work back and forth in rows.

Row 1 (wrong side): Slip 1 wyib, k1, purl to last 2 stitches, k2.

Decrease Row 1 (right side): Slip 1 wyif, k2tog, k77 (83, 89, 95, 101), ssk, p1. [81 (87, 93, 99, 105) stitches]

Decrease Row 2 (wrong side): P2tog tbl (through the back loop), p77 (83, 89, 95, 101), p2tog. [79 (85, 91, 97, 103) stitches]

Decrease Row 3: Slip 1 wyib, k1, ssk, knit to last 4 stitches, k2tog, k2. [2 stitches decreased]

Decrease Row 4: Slip 1 wyif, p1, p2tog, purl to last 4 stitches, p2tog tbl, p2. [2 stitches decreased]

Repeat Decrease Rows 3 and 4 four (five, five, five, five) more times, then repeat Decrease Row 3 once more. [57 (59, 65, 71, 77) stitches]

Next Row (wrong side): Slip 1 wyif, purl to end of row.

Next Row (right side): Slip 1 wyib, knit to end of row.

Repeat the last two rows until armhole measures 6 ¼ (7 ½, 8, 8 ¼, 8 ¾) inches, ending with a wrong side row.

Bind Off for Back Neckline

Bind Off Row (right side): Slip 1 wyib, k16 (17, 19, 21, 23), bind off 23 (23, 25, 27, 29) stitches, knit to end.

Place the first set of 17 (18, 20, 22, 24) stitches you worked on a stitch holder or scrap yarn. These stitches are for the Back Right Shoulder. You will work the Back Left Shoulder first.

Back Left Shoulder

Note: Continue working on the second set of 17 (18, 20, 22, 24) stitches.

Decrease Row 1 (wrong side): Slip 1 wyif, purl to last 4 stitches, p2tog tbl, p2. [1 stitch decreased]

Decrease Row 2 (right side): Slip 1 wyib, k1, ssk, knit to end of row. [1 stitch decreased]

Repeat Decrease Rows 1 and 2 once more, then repeat Decrease Row 1 once again. [12 (13, 15, 17, 19) stitches]

Next Row (right side): Slip 1 wyib, knit to end of row.

Next Row (wrong side): Slip 1 wyif, purl to end of row.

Armhole measures approximately 7 ½ (8, 8 ½, 8 ¾, 9 ¼) inches.

Cut the yarn and place the 12 (13, 15, 17, 19) stitches of the Back Left Shoulder onto a stitch holder or scrap yarn.

Back Right Shoulder

Slip the 17 (18, 20, 22, 24) stitches of the Back Right Shoulder to the larger needle. With the right side facing you, join a new ball of yarn to the Back Right Shoulder stitches, ready to work a right side row.

Decrease Row 1 (right side): Slip 1 wyib, knit to last 4 stitches, k2tog, k2. [1 stitch decreased]

Decrease Row 2 (wrong side): Slip 1 wyif, p1, p2tog, purl to end of row. [1 stitch decreased]

Repeat Decrease Rows 1 and 2 once more, then repeat Decrease Row 1 once again. [12 (13, 15, 17, 19) stitches]

Next Row (wrong side): Slip 1 wyif, purl to end of row.

Next Row (right side): Slip 1 wyib, knit to end of row.

Armhole measures approximately 7 ½ (8, 8 ½, 8 ¾, 9 ¼) inches.

Cut the yarn and place the 12 (13, 15, 17, 19) stitches of the Back Right Shoulder onto a stitch holder or scrap yarn.

Top Front

Slip the 83 (89, 95, 101, 107) stitches of the Top Front onto the larger needle. With the wrong side facing you, join a new ball of yarn to the Top Front, ready to work a wrong side row.

Row 1 (wrong side): Slip 1 wyib, k1, purl to last 2 stitches, k2.

Decrease Row 1 (right side): Slip 1 wyif, k2tog, k77 (83, 89, 95, 101), ssk, p1. [81 (87, 93, 99, 105) stitches]

Decrease Row 2 (wrong side): P2tog tbl, p77 (83, 89, 95, 101), p2tog. [79 (85, 91, 97, 103) stitches]

Decrease Row 3: Slip 1 wyib, k1, ssk, knit to last 4 stitches, k2tog, k2. [2 stitches decreased]

Decrease Row 4: Slip 1 wyif, p1, p2tog, purl to last 4 stitches, p2tog tbl, p2. [2 stitches decreased]

Repeat Decrease Rows 3 and 4 three (four, four, three, three) more times, then repeat Decrease Row 3 once more. [61 (63, 69, 79, 85) stitches]

Next Row (wrong side): Slip 1 wyif, purl to end of row.

Decrease Row 5 (right side): Slip 1 wyib, k1, ssk, knit to last 4 stitches, k2tog, k2. [2 stitches decreased]

Repeat the last two rows one (one, one, three, three) more time(s). [57 (59, 65, 71, 77) stitches]

Next Row (wrong side): Slip 1 wyif, purl to end of row.

Next Row (right side): Slip 1 wyib, knit to end of row.

Repeat the last two rows until armhole measures 3 ¾ (4 ¼, 4 ½, 4 ¾, 5) inches, ending with a wrong side row.

Bind Off for Front Neckline

Bind Off Row (right side): Slip 1 wyib, k16 (17, 19, 21, 23), bind off 23 (23, 25, 27, 29) stitches, knit to end.

Place the first set of 17 (18, 20, 22, 24) stitches you worked on a stitch holder or scrap yarn. These stitches are for the Front Left Shoulder. You will work the Front Right Shoulder first.

Front Right Shoulder

Note: Continue working on the second set of 17 (18, 20, 22, 24) stitches.

Decrease Row 1 (wrong side): Slip 1 wyif, purl to last 4 stitches, p2tog tbl, p2. [16 (17, 19, 21, 23) stitches]

Decrease Row 2 (right side): Slip 1 wyib, k1, ssk, knit to end of row. [15 (16, 18, 20, 22) stitches]

Next Row (wrong side): Slip 1 wyif, purl to end of row.

Decrease Row 3 (right side): Slip 1 wyib, k1, ssk, knit to end of row. [1 stitch decreased]

Repeat the last 2 rows two more times. [12 (13, 15, 17, 19) stitches]

Next Row (wrong side): Slip 1 wyif, purl until end of row.

Next Row (right side): Slip 1 wyib, knit until end of row.

Repeat the last two rows until armhole measures 7 ½ (8, 8 ½, 8 ¾, 9 ¼) inches, ending with a wrong side row.

Short Row 1 (right side): Slip 1 wyib, k7 (8, 10, 12, 14), wrap and turn.

Short Row 2 (wrong side): Purl to end of row.

Short Row 3: Slip 1 wyif, k2 (3, 5, 7, 9), wrap and turn.

Short Row 4: Purl to end of row.

Next Row (right side): Slip 1 wyif, knit to end, picking up the wraps as you come to them and knitting them together with the stitch they wrap.

Do not cut the yarn.

Turn the garment inside out. Place the stitches of the Back Right Shoulder onto a spare needle in a similar size. Hold the two needles parallel, with the right sides of the pieces together and so that the wrong side of the Back Right Shoulder is facing you. With a third needle in a similar size, work a 3 needle bind off across all stitches, using the ball of yarn attached to the Front Right Shoulder. Cut the yarn and thread the tail through the last remaining stitch. Pull gently to secure. Turn the garment right side out.

Front Left Shoulder

Slip the 17 (18, 20, 22, 24) stitches of the Front Left Shoulder to the larger needle. With the wrong side facing you, join a new ball of yarn to the Front Left Shoulder, ready to work a wrong side row.

Decrease Row 1 (wrong side): Slip 1 wyif, p1, p2tog, purl to end of row. [16 (17, 19, 21, 23) stitches]

Decrease Row 2 (right side): Slip 1 wyib, knit to last 4 stitches, k2tog, k2. [15 (16, 18, 20, 22) stitches]

Next Row (wrong side): Slip 1 wyif, purl to end of row.

Decrease Row 3 (right side): Slip 1 wyib, knit to last 4 stitches, k2tog, k2. [1 stitch decreased]

Repeat the last two rows two more times. [12 (13, 15, 17, 19) stitches]

Next Row (wrong side): Slip 1 wyif, purl to end of row.

Next Row (right side): Slip 1 wyib, knit to end of row.

Repeat the last two rows until armhole measures 7 ½ (8, 8 ½, 8 ¾, 9 ¼) inches, ending with a right side row.

Short Row 1 (wrong side): Slip 1 wyif, p7 (8, 10, 12, 14), wrap and turn.

Short Row 2 (right side): Knit to end of row.

Short Row 3: Slip 1 wyib, p2 (3, 5, 7, 9), wrap and turn.

Short Row 4: Knit to end of row.

Next Row (wrong side): Slip 1 wyif, purl to end, picking up the wraps as you come to them and purling them together with the stitch they wrap, Do not cut the yarn.

Turn the garment inside out. Place the stitches of the Back Left Shoulder onto a spare needle in a similar size. Hold the two needles parallel, with the right sides of the pieces together and the wrong side of the Front Right Shoulder facing you. With a third needle in a similar size, work a 3 needle bind off across all stitches, using the ball of yarn attached to the Front Left Shoulder. Cut the yarn, thread the tail through the last stitch. Pull gently to secure. Turn the garment right side out.

Finish Armholes

With the larger needle and the right side facing you, beginning at the center of the underarm, pick up and knit 72 (80, 86, 90, 94) stitches evenly around the armhole edge. Loosely bind off all stitches.

Repeat for other armhole.

Finish Neckline

With the larger needle and the right side facing you, beginning at the left shoulder seam, pick up and knit 63 (63, 67, 69, 73) stitches along the Front Neck and 43 (43, 45, 47, 49) stitches along the Back Neck. [106 (106, 112, 116, 122) stitches total]. Loosely bind off all stitches.

Weave in the ends.

Block the tank top by hand washing it separately from other items in cold water with a mild detergent. Rinse until the water runs clear. Some indigo will wash out, but don’t worry; the tank top will come out the same beautiful, dark indigo color!

Notched Hem Tank Top | Purl Soho