“It’s tank top season y’allllllll!!!!!!!” This was recently yelled in my direction by a peppy pilates instructor who I think would have rather been teaching a 90s hip-hop sculpt class. As my arms began to burn, I bristled at the proclamation, but once in the comfort and security of my couch, knitting needles in hand, I had to admit that she was right. It IS tank top season, y’all.

Rib-Wise Tank | Purl Soho

This simple Rib-Wise Tank is just right for the season with a bit of room to breathe but not so much that you’re weighed down in the heat. Ribbing along the sides, straps and between the shoulder blades creates subtle shaping and streamlining, while Anzula’s beautiful new Milky Way offers a soft shine, a slight drape and a cool touch.

Rib-Wise Tank | Purl Soho

You know, I learned something else that day at the gym… It’s SHORTS season y’alllllll!!!! But don’t worry, I need to spend a lot more time in the gym before you see knit shorts from me! -Laura

Designed by Purl Soho designer, Laura Ferguson.

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

Rib-Wise Tank | Purl Soho

Materials

  • Color A: 1 (1, 1, 1, 2) skein(s) of Anzula’s Milky Way, 80% Milk Protein, 20% Superwash Merino; approximately 500–1000 yards of a fingering weight yarn required. This color is Seaside.
  • Color B: 1 (1, 1, 1, 2) skein(s) of Anzula’s Milky Way, 80% Milk Protein, 20% Superwash Merino; approximately 500–1000 yards of a fingering weight yarn required. This color is Black.

NOTE: If you want to work this Tank all in one color, you would need 2 (2, 2, 2, 3) skiens of Milky Way.

NOTE: Since this pattern was published, we have stopped carrying Anzula’s Milky Way yarn. Other great suggestions for this pattern are Anzula’s Squishy,  Koigu’s Koigu Premium Merino and Manos del Uruguay’s Fino!

Gauge

28 stitches and 32 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch

Sizes

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

28 (32, 36, 40, 44)

  • Bust Circumference: 28 (32, 36, 40, 44) inches
  • Waist Circumference: 23 (27, 31, 35, 39) inches
  • Length from Underarm to Bottom Edge: 17 inches

Rib-Wise Tank | Purl Soho

Notes

Stitch Patterns

Right Edge Ribbing

(panel of 17 stitches; 136 rows)

Set-Up Row (wrong side): P2, k1, p1, k1, p12.

Rows 1, 3, 5, and 7 (right side): K12, p1, k1, p1, k2.

Row 2 and all Wrong-Side Rows: Knit the knit stitches and purl the purl stitches as they face you.

Rows 9, 11, 13, and 15: K10, p1, [k1, p1] twice, k2.

Rows 17, 19, 21, and 23: K8, p1, [k1, p1] 3 times, k2.

Rows 25, 27, 29, and 31: K6, p1, [k1, p1] 4 times, k2.

Rows 33, 35, 37, and 39: K4, p1, [k1, p1] 5 times, k2.

Rows 41, 43, 45, and 47: K2, p1, [k1, p1] 6 times, k2.

Rows 49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59, 61, and 63: P1, [k1, p1] 7 times, k2.

Rows 65-72: Repeat Rows 41 and 42.

Rows 73-80: Repeat Rows 33 and 34.

Rows 81-88: Repeat Rows 25 and 26.

Rows 89-96: Repeat Rows 17 and 18.

Rows 97-112: Repeat Rows 9 and 10.

Rows 113-136: Repeat Rows 1 and 2.

Left Edge Ribbing

(panel of 17 stitches; 136 rows)

Set-Up Row (wrong side): P12, k1, p1, k1, p2.

Rows 1, 3, 5, and 7 (right side): K2, p1, k1, p1, k12.

Row 2 and all Wrong-Side Rows: Knit the knit stitches and purl the purl stitches as they face you.

Rows 9, 11, 13, and 15: K2, p1, [k1, p1] twice, k10.

Rows 17, 19, 21, and 23: K2, p1, [k1, p1] 3 times, k8.

Rows 25, 27, 29, and 31: K2, p1, [k1, p1] 4 times, k6.

Rows 33, 35, 37, and 39: K2, p1, [k1, p1] 5 times, k4.

Rows 41, 43, 45, and 47: K2, p1, [k1, p1] 6 times, k2.

Rows 49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59, 61, and 63: K2, p1, [k1, p1] 7 times.

Rows 65-72: Repeat Rows 41 and 42.

Rows 73-80: Repeat Rows 33 and 34.

Rows 81-88: Repeat Rows 25 and 26.

Rows 89-96: Repeat Rows 17 and 18.

Rows 97-112: Repeat Rows 9 and 10.

Rows 113-136: Repeat Rows 1 and 2.

Basic Rib Pattern

(odd number of stitches; 2-row repeat)

Row 1 (right side): P1, *k1, p1; repeat from * to end of pattern.

Row 2 and all Wrong-Side Rows: Knit the knit stitches and purl the purl stitches as they face you.

Front Shoulder Ribbing

[panel of 15 (15, 15, 23, 23) stitches]

Set-Up Row (Front Left Only): Purl.

Rows 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 (right side): K6 (6, 6, 10, 10), p1, k1, p1, k6 (6, 6, 10, 10).

Row 2, 4, 6, and 8: Knit the knit stitches and purl the purl stitches as they face you.

Row 10: P4 (4, 4, 8, 8), k1, [p1, k1] 3 times, p4 (4, 4, 8, 8).

Rows 11-17: Knit the knit stitches and purl the purl stitches as they face you.

Row 18: P2 (2, 2, 6, 6), k1, [p1, k1] 5 times, p2 (2, 2, 6, 6).

Rows 19-25: Repeat Row 2.

Row 26: P0 (0, 0, 4, 4), k1, [p1, k1] 7 times, p0 (0, 0, 4, 4).

Row 27: Repeat Row 2.

SIZES 28 (32, 36) ONLY

Repeat Rows 26 and 27 for remainder of piece.

SIZES 40 and 44 ONLY

Rows 28-33: Repeat Row 2.

Row 34: P2, k1, [p1, k1] 9 times, p2.

Rows 35-41: Repeat Row 2.

Row 42: K1, [p1, k1] 11 times.

Row 43: Repeat Row 2.

Repeat Rows 42 and 43 for remainder of piece.

Back Neck Ribbing

(panel of 19 stitches)

Rows 1, 3, 5, and 7 (right side): K6, p1, [k1, p1] 3 times, k6.

Row 2 and all Wrong-Side Rows: Knit the knit stitches and purl the purl stitches as they face you.

Rows 9, 11, 13, and 15: K4, p1, [k1, p1] 5 times, k4.

Rows 17, 19, 21, and 23: K2, p1, [k1, p1] 7 times, k2.

Rows 25, 27, 29, and 31: P1, [k1, p1] 9 times.

Row 32: Repeat Row 2.

Repeat Rows 31 and 32 for remainder of piece.

Pattern

Front

Begin Front

With Color A, cast on 101 (115, 129, 143, 157) stitches. We used a basic Long Tail Cast On.

Set-Up Row (wrong side): Work in Right Edge Ribbing for 17 stitches, beginning with Set-Up Row, place marker (pm), p32 (39, 46, 53, 60), pm, k1, p1, k1, pm, purl to last 17 stitches, pm, work in Left Edge Ribbing to end, beginning with Set-Up Row.

Row 1: Work Left Edge Ribbing as established to first marker, work in stockinette stitch to second marker, work Basic Rib Pattern as established to third marker, work in stockinette stitch to fourth marker, work in Right Edge Ribbing as established to end.

Continue to work in patterns as established until Right and Left Edge Ribbing patterns are complete, ending with a wrong-side row, and removing first and last markers on final row. Place new markers 13 (17, 22, 22, 28) and 28 (32, 37, 45, 51) stitches in from each side edge, to mark Front Shoulder Ribbing.

Divide for Front Left and Front Right

Row 1 (Decrease Row, right side): Bind off 5 (7, 8, 9, 13) stitches in pattern, knit to 5 (7, 8, 9, 9) stitches before third marker, place previous 39 (42, 47, 52, 55) Front Left stitches on hold using a stitch holder or scrap yarn, bind off next 13 (17, 19, 21, 21) stitches in pattern, removing markers, work to end. [44 (49, 55, 61, 68) stitches remain for Front Right]

Shape Front Right Armhole and Neck

Rib-Wise Tank | Purl Soho

NOTE: You will work the Right and Left sides of the Front separately, starting with the Front Right. Stitch counts in the following section do not include the Front Left stitches on hold.

Row 2 (Decrease Row): Bind off 5 (7, 8, 9, 13) stitches in pattern, purl to end. [39 (42, 47, 52, 55) stitches remain]

Row 3: Bind off 4 stitches, work to marker, work Front Shoulder Ribbing, beginning with Row 1, to next marker, knit to end. [35 (38, 43, 48, 51) stitches remain]

Row 4 (Decrease Row): Continuing to work patterns as established, bind off 2 stitches, work to end. [33 (36, 41, 46, 49) stitches remain]

SIZE 28 ONLY

Row 5 (Decrease Row): Bind off 3 stitches, work to last 2 stitches, k2tog. [29 stitches remain]

Row 6: Work in established pattern.

Row 7 (Decrease Row): Bind off 2 stitches, work to last 2 stitches, k2tog. [26 stitches remain]

Row 8: Work in established pattern.

Row 9 (Decrease Row): Ssk, work to last 2 stitches, k2tog. [24 stitches remain]

Row 10: Work in established pattern.

Rows 11 and 12: Repeat Rows 9 and 10. [22 stitches remain]

Row 13 (Decrease Row): Ssk, work to end. [21 stitches remain]

Row 14: Work in established pattern.

Rows 15-18: Repeat Rows 13 and 14. [19 stitches remain]

SIZE 32 ONLY

Rows 5-12: Work Rows 5-12 of size XSmall. [25 stitches remain]

Rows 13 and 14: Work Rows 9 and 10 of size XSmall. [23 stitches remain]

Rows 15-18: Work Rows 13 and 14 of size XSmall. [21 stitches remain]

SIZE 36 ONLY

Row 5 (Decrease Row): Bind off 3 stitches, work to end. [38 stitches remain]

Row 6 (Decrease Row): Bind off 2 stitches, work to end. [36 stitches remain]

Rows 7-12: Work Rows 7-12 of size XSmall. [29 stitches remain]

Rows 13-18: Work Rows 9 and 10 of size XSmall. [23 stitches remain]

SIZE 40 ONLY

Rows 5-18: Work Rows 5-18 of size Medium. [28 stitches remain]

Row 19 (Decrease Row): Work to last 2 stitches, k2tog. [27 stitches remain]

Row 20: Work in established pattern.

SIZE 44 ONLY

Rows 5-18: Work Rows 5-18 of size Medium. [31 stitches remain]

Rows 19-22: Work Rows 19 and 20 of size Medium. [29 stitches remain]

ALL SIZES

Continuing to work first and last 2 (3, 4, 2, 3) stitches in stockinette stitch, and stitches between markers in Front Shoulder Ribbing, work even until armhole measures 6 1/2 (7, 7 1/2, 8, 8 1/2) inches, ending with a right-side row.

Shape Front Right Shoulder

Row 1 (Decrease Row, wrong side): Bind off 7 (7, 7, 9, 9) stitches in pattern, work to end. [12 (14, 16, 18, 20) stitches remain]

Row 2: Work in established pattern.

Row 3 (Decrease Row): Bind off 6 (7, 8, 9, 10) stitches in pattern, work to end.

Row 4: Work in established pattern.

Next Row: Bind off remaining 6 (7, 8, 9, 10) stitches in pattern.

Shape Front Left

With wrong side facing, rejoin Color A.

NOTE: To avoid confusion, the row numbers for this section will begin with Row 2 so that all right-side rows are worked on odd-numbered rows, as for the previous sections.

Row 2 (Decrease Row): Bind off 4 stitches, work to end. [35 (38, 43, 48, 51) stitches remain]

Row 3: Bind off 2 stitches, work to marker, work Front Shoulder Ribbing, beginning with Row 1, to next marker, knit to end. [33 (36, 41, 46, 49) stitches remain]

Row 4 (Decrease Row): Continuing to work patterns as established, bind off 3 stitches, work to end. [30 (33, 38, 43, 46) stitches remain]

SIZE 28 ONLY

Row 5 (Decrease Row): Continuing to work patterns as established, ssk, work to end. [29 stitches remain]

Row 6 (Decrease Row): Bind off 2 stitches, work to end. [27 stitches remain]

Row 7 (Decrease Row): Ssk, work to last 2 stitches, k2tog. [25 stitches remain]

Row 8: Work in established pattern.

Rows 9-12: Repeat Rows 7 and 8. [21 stitches remain]

Row 13 (Decrease Row): Work to last 2 sts, k2tog. [20 stitches remain]

Row 14: Work in established pattern.

Rows 15 and 16: Repeat Rows 13 and 14. [19 stitches remain]

SIZE 32 ONLY

Rows 5-12: Work Rows 5-12 of size XSmall. [24 stitches remain]

Rows 13 and 14: Work Rows 7 and 8 of size XSmall. [22 stitches remain]

Rows 15 and 16: Work Rows 13 and 14 of size XSmall. [21 stitches remain]

SIZE 36 ONLY

Rows Row 5 (Decrease Row): Bind off 2 stitches, work to end. [36 stitches remain]

Row 6 (Decrease Row): Bind off 2 stitches, work to end. [34 stitches remain]

Rows 7-16: Work Rows 7 and 8 of size XSmall. [24 stitches remain]

Rows 13-18: Work Rows 13 and 14 of size XSmall. [23 stitches remain]

SIZE 40 ONLY

Rows 5-18: Work Rows 5-18 of size Medium. [28 stitches remain]

Row 19 (Decrease Row): Ssk, work to end. [27 stitches remain]

Row 20: Work in established pattern.

SIZE 44 ONLY

Rows 5-18: Work Rows 5-18 of size Medium. [31 stitches remain]

Rows 19-22: Work Rows 19 and 20 of size Medium. [29 stitches remain]

ALL SIZES

Continuing to work first and last 2 (3, 4, 2, 3) stitches in stockinette stitch, and stitches between markers in Front Shoulder Ribbing, work even until armhole measures 6 1/2 (7, 7 1/2, 8, 8 1/2) inches, ending with a right-side row.

Shape Front Left Shoulder

Row 1 (Decrease Row, right side): Bind off 7 (7, 7, 9, 9) stitches in pattern, work in established pattern to end. [12 (14, 16, 18, 20) stitches remain]

Row 2: Work in established pattern.

Row 3 (Decrease Row): Bind off 6 (7, 8, 9, 10) stitches in pattern, work to end.

Row 4: Work in established pattern.

Next Row: Bind off remaining 6 (7, 8, 9, 10) stitches in pattern.

Back

Begin Back

With Color B, cast on 101 (115, 129, 143, 157) stitches.

Follow pattern for FRONT to beginning of armhole shaping, ending with a wrong-side row, removing markers on last row. Place new markers 41 (48, 55, 62, 69) stitches in from each side edge to mark Back Neck Ribbing.

Shape Armholes

Row 1 (Decrease Row, right side): Bind off 5 (7, 8, 9, 13) stitches in pattern, knit to first marker, work in Back Ribbing to next marker, knit to last 5 stitches, work in pattern as established to end. [96 (108, 121, 134, 144) stitches remain]

Row 2 (Decrease Row): Bind off 5 (7, 8, 9, 13) stitches in pattern, work in patterns as established to end. [91 (101, 113, 125, 131) stitches remain]

Row 3 (Decrease Row): Bind off 4 (4, 5, 5, 5) stitches, work to end. [87 (97, 108, 120, 126) stitches]

Row 4 (Decrease Row): Repeat Row 3. [83 (93, 103, 115, 121) stitches remain]

Row 5 (Decrease Row): Bind off 3 (3, 4, 4, 4) stitches, work to end. [80 (90, 99, 111, 117) stitches remain]

Row 6 (Decrease Row): Repeat Row 5. [77 (87, 95, 107, 113) stitches remain]

Row 7 (Decrease Row): Bind off 2 (2, 2, 3, 3) stitches, work to end. [75 (85, 93, 104, 110) stitches remain.

Row 8 (Decrease Row): Repeat Row 7. [73 (83, 91, 101, 107) stitches remain]

Row 9 (Decrease Row): Ssk, work to last 2 stitches, k2tog. [71 (81, 89, 99, 105) stitches remain

Row 10: Work in established pattern.

Repeat Rows 9 and 10 two (three, four, five, six) more times. [67 (75, 81, 89, 93) stitches remain.

Work even in pattern as established for 18 (16, 18, 20, 22) rows, ending with a wrong-side row.

Divide for Back Right and Back Left

Row 1 (Decrease Row, right side): Removing markers as you come to them, k26 (28, 30, 34, 36) and place these stitches on a stitch holder or scrap yarn for Back Right, bind off next 15 (19, 21, 21, 21) stitches in pattern, knit to end. [26 (28, 30, 34, 36) stitches remain for Back Left]

Shape Back Left Neck

Rib-Wise Tank | Purl Soho

NOTE: You will work the Right and Left sides of the Back separately, starting with the Back Left. Stitch counts below do not include the Back Right stitches on hold.

Row 2: Purl.

Row 3 (Decrease Row): Bind off 4 stitches, work to end. [22 (24, 26, 30, 32) stitches remain]

Row 4: Purl.

Row 5 (Decrease Row): Bind off 3 stitches, k1 (2, 3, 1, 2), pm, work Basic Rib Pattern to last 2 (3, 4, 2, 3) stitches, work in stockinette stitch to end. [19 (21, 23, 27, 29) stitches remain]

Continuing to work first and last 2 (3, 4, 2, 3) stitches in stockinette stitch and stitches between markers in Basic Rib, work even until armhole measures 6 1/2 (7, 7 1/2, 8, 8 1/2) inches, ending with a right-side row.

Shape Back Left Shoulder

Row 1 (Decrease Row, wrong side): Bind off 7 (7, 7, 9, 9) stitches in pattern, work to end. [12 (14, 16, 18, 20) stitches remain]

Row 2: Work in established pattern.

Row 3 (Decrease Row): Bind off 6 (7, 8, 9, 10) stitches in pattern, work to end.

Row 4: Work in established pattern.

Next Row: Bind off remaining 6 (7, 8, 9, 10) stitches in pattern.

Shape Back Right

NOTE: To avoid confusion, the row numbers for this section will begin with Row 2 so that all right-side rows are worked on odd-numbered rows, as for the previous sections.

With wrong side facing, rejoin Color B.

Row 2 (Decrease Row, wrong side): Bind off 4 stitches, work to end. [22 (24, 26, 30, 32) stitches remain]

Row 3: Knit.

Row 4 (Decrease Row): Bind off 3 stitches, work to end. [19 (21, 23, 27, 29) stitches remain].

Row 5: Work 2 (3, 4, 2, 3) stitches in stockinette stitch, pm, work Basic Rib Pattern to last 2 (3, 4, 2, 3) stitches, work in stockinette stitch to end.

Continuing to work first and last 2 (3, 4, 2, 3) stitches in stockinette stitch and stitches between markers in Basic Rib, work even until armhole measures 6 1/2 (7, 7 1/2, 8, 8 1/2) inches, ending with a right-side row.

Shape Back Right Shoulder

Row 1 (Decrease Row, right side): Bind off 7 (7, 7, 9, 9) stitches in pattern, work in established pattern to end. [12 (14, 16, 18, 20) stitches remain]

Row 2: Work in established pattern.

Row 3 (Decrease Row): Bind off 6 (7, 8, 9, 10) stitches in pattern, work to end.

Row 4: Work in established pattern.

Next Row: Bind off remaining 6 (7, 8, 9, 10) stitches in pattern.

Finish

Rib-Wise Tank | Purl Soho

Sew left and right shoulders together.

Rib-Wise Tank | Purl Soho

Using mattress stitch, sew the Front and Back together along each side.

Finish Bottom Edge, Armholes and Neckline

Cast 2 stitches onto a double pointed needle (for the neatest possible finishing, use a Provisional Cast-On). Knit an Attached I-cord around the bottom hem of the sweater, picking up 1 stitch for each of the cast-on stitches. When you are finished: If you used a Provisional Cast-On, join the beginning and end of the I-cord with the Kitchener Stitch. If you just cast on normally, bind off the I-cord and sew the beginning and end together.

In the same way, work Attached I-cords around the Armhole edges and Neckline.

Weave in your ends and block as desired.

Rib-Wise Tank | Purl Soho