Summer Breeze Tank Top
A breeze to knit and a breeze to wear, beginners and experts alike will love to knit our Summer Breeze Tank Top pattern, so charming in our playful Sunshower Cotton yarn!
Knit flat in one piece and all in garter stitch, the only seams to sew are the sides. And with our Seaming Garter Stitch Tutorial, you’ll discover just how easy and tidy that step can be!
You only need a few easy techniques to shape the neck and shoulders… Think basic increases and decreases, straightforward cast-ons and bind-offs, and a few simple short rows.
Don’t let those short rows scare you off, if you’re new to them. A little bit of short-row shaping at the shoulders makes the fit so much better, and it’s easier than you think with our crystal clear Short Rows: Wrap + Turn Tutorial.
Sunshower Cotton makes this simple garter stitch fabric come alive with its dappled color, printed onto the spun fiber in a lovely drizzle. This smooth, Italian-made cotton yarn knits up quickly in a satisfying worsted weight, and your finished top will be machine wash- and dry-able!
No sleeves, no waist shaping, no tricks… There’s nothing stopping you from casting on the Summer Breeze Tank Top and wearing it for as long as the warm weather lasts. And if you can’t bear to put it away when the weather turns chilly, just work it into your layers and keep the summer breeze with you all year long!
Yarn lovers, if you adore the yarn used in this project, you’ll love exploring all of our other yarn collections! Discover over 45 thoughtfully designed yarns in nearly every natural fiber and in every spectacular color you can imagine. Only available here at Purl Soho’s online yarn store, where every skein is created with care and your creativity in mind!
Designed by Purl Soho designer, Hiromi Glover. See even more of Hiromi’s work on her Instagram!
Share your progress and connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho, #PurlSohoBusyHands, #PurlSohoSummerBreezeTankTop, and #PurlSohoSunshowerCotton. We can’t wait to see what you make!
Materials
- 5 (5, 6, 7) (8, 8, 9, 10) skeins of Purl Soho’s Sunshower Cotton, 100% organically grown cotton yarn. Each skein of this worsted-weight yarn is 159 yards/100 grams; approximately 670 (770, 875, 995, 1110, 1270, 1430, 1590) total yards required. We used the color Cherry Tomato.
- US 6 (4 mm), 20- or 24-inch circular needles, depending on size you are making
- US 6, 16-inch circular needles
- Removable stitch marker or scrap yarn
GAUGE
18 stitches and 36 rows = 4 inches in garter stitch
SIZES
NOTE For help picking a size, please check out our Understanding Ease + Selecting Size Tutorial!
34¾ (39, 43½, 48) (52½, 57, 61¼, 65¾)
To fit actual chest circumference of 29–32 (33–36, 37–41, 42–45) (46–50, 51–54, 55–58, 59–63) inches, with approximately 3–6 inches of ease
- Finished Chest Circumference: 34¾ (39, 43½, 48) (52½, 57, 61¼, 65¾) inches
- Finished Length from Back Neck to Bottom Edge: 19¼ (20, 20¾, 21½) (22½, 23½, 24½, 25½) inches
- Finished Length from Underarm to Bottom Edge: 12½ (13, 13½, 14) (14½, 15, 15½, 16) inches
SAMPLE: The sweater shown here is size 39, worn with 5 inches of ease.
NOTES
CONSTRUCTION
You will begin this garment at the lower Back edge, then work up to the Armholes, then over the Shoulders, shaping the Neckline, and down to the lower Front edge. You will sew up the side seams to join the Back and Front and then work simple Edgings around the Armholes and Neckband.
SLIP STITCHES
Slip all slipped stitches knitwise with yarn in back (wyib).
WRP-T (WRAP + TURN)
On both right and wrong sides: Keeping yarn in back, slip next stitch purlwise from left needle to right needle. Bring yarn to front. Return slipped stitch to left needle. Turn work so other side is facing you.
See this technique in action in our Short Row Tutorial at 0:30 seconds, except do not bring the yarn to the back before you turn. Also, because you’ll be working in garter stitch, there’s no need to pick up the wraps when you get to them. Just knit the wrapped stitches as usual!
PATTERN
BACK BODY
BEGIN
Cast 80 (90, 100, 110) (120, 130, 140, 150) stitches onto longer circular needles. We used a basic Long Tail Cast On.
Set-Up Row (wrong side): Knit to end of row.
Row 1 (right side): Knit to end of row.
NOTE: Mark previous row with scrap yarn or removable marker to indicate right side.
Continue in garter stitch, knitting every row, until piece measures approximately 12½ (13, 13½, 14) (14½, 15, 15½, 16) inches from cast-on edge or until you have 56 (58, 60, 63) (65, 67, 69, 72) garter ridges, ending with a wrong-side row.
SHAPE ARMHOLES
Continuing in garter stitch, bind off 2 (4, 5, 6) (8, 9, 10, 11) stitches at the beginning of next 2 rows. [76 (82, 90, 98) (104, 112, 120, 128) stitches remain]
Decrease Row (right side): K2, knit 2 together (k2tog), knit to last 4 stitches, slip slip knit (ssk), k2. [2 stitches decreased]
Next Row (wrong side): Knit to end of row.
Repeat last 2 rows 2 (3, 4, 6) (8, 10, 12, 14) more times. [70 (74, 80, 84) (86, 90, 94, 98) stitches remain]
CONTINUE BACK BODY
Continue in garter stitch until piece measures 6¾ (7, 7¼, 7½) (8, 8½, 9, 9½) inches from Armhole bind off, ending with a wrong-side row.
DIVIDE FOR SHOULDERS + NECKLINE
Division Row (right side): K24 (26, 29, 30) (31, 32, 34, 35), bind off 22 (22, 22, 24) (24, 26, 26, 28) stitches, knit to end of row, slip last 24 (26, 29, 30) (31, 32, 34, 35) stitches to shorter circular needles, ready to work the Left Shoulder. [24 (26, 29, 30) (31, 32, 34, 35) stitches on-hold on longer needles for Right Shoulder]
SHOULDERS + NECKLINE
SHAPE LEFT SHOULDER
Now working the 24 (26, 29, 30) (31, 32, 34, 35) stitches on the shorter needles…
Set-Up Row (wrong side): Knit to end of row.
Short Row 1 (right side): K2, ssk, knit to last 4 (4, 5, 5) (5, 5, 6, 6) stitches, wrp-t (see Notes). [23 (25, 28, 29) (30, 31, 33, 34) stitches remain]
Short Row 2: Knit to end of row.
Short Row 3: K2, ssk, knit to 4 (4, 5, 5) (5, 5, 6, 6) stitches before previous wrap, wrp-t. [1 stitch decreased]
Short Row 4: Knit to end of row.
Repeat Short Rows 3 and 4 two more times. [20 (22, 25, 26) (27, 28, 30, 31) stitches remain]
Next Row (right side): Knit to end of row.
Work 3 rows in garter stitch, ending with a wrong-side row.
SHAPE LEFT NECKLINE
Increase Row (right side): K2, knit front and back (kfb), knit to end of row. [1 stitch increased]
Continuing in garter stitch, repeat Increase Row every 8th row 2 times, then every 4th row 2 times, then every 2nd row 3 times. [28 (30, 33, 34) (35, 36, 38, 39) stitches]
Next Row (wrong side): Knit to end of row.
With right side facing you, use a cable cast on to cast on 16 (16, 16, 18) (18, 20, 20, 22) stitches. [44 (46, 49, 52) (53, 56, 58, 61) stitches]
Cut yarn and set aside.
SHAPE RIGHT SHOULDER
Returning to on-hold Right Shoulder stitches, rejoin yarn, ready to work a wrong-side row.
Short Row 1 (wrong side): K2, k2tog, knit to last 4 (4, 5, 5) (5, 5, 6, 6) stitches, wrp-t. [23 (25, 28, 29) (30, 31, 33, 34) stitches remain]
Short Row 2 (right side): Knit to end of row.
Short Row 3: K2, k2tog, knit to 4 (4, 5, 5) (5, 5, 6, 6) stitches before previous wrap, wrp-t. [1 stitch decreased]
Short Row 4: Knit to end of row.
Repeat Short Rows 3 and 4 two more times. [20 (22, 25, 26) (27, 28, 30, 31) stitches remain]
Short Row 5 (wrong side): Knit to end of row.
Work 4 rows in garter stitch, ending with a wrong-side row.
SHAPE RIGHT NECKLINE
Increase Row (right side): Knit to last 4 stitches, kfb, k3. [1 stitch increased]
Continuing in garter stitch, repeat Increase Row every 8th row 2 times, then every 4th row 2 times, then every 2nd row 3 times. [28 (30, 33, 34) (35, 36, 38, 39) stitches]
Next Row (wrong side): Knit to end of row.
JOIN RIGHT + LEFT NECKLINE
Joining Row (right side): K27 (29, 32, 33) (34, 35, 37, 38), returning to Left Neckline stitches with right side facing you, ssk (with last stitch from Right Neckline and first stitch of Left Neckline), k14 (14, 14, 16) (16, 18, 18, 20), k2tog, knit to end of Left Neckline stitches. [70 (74, 80, 84) (86, 90, 94, 98) total stitches]
FRONT BODY
BEGIN
Continue in garter stitch until piece measures 2¼ (2½, 2½, 2¼) (2¼, 2½, 2½, 2½) inches from Joining Row, ending with a wrong-side row.
SHAPE ARMHOLES
Increase Row (right side): K2, kfb, knit to last 4 stitches, kfb, k3. [2 stitches increased]
Next Row (wrong side): Knit to end of row.
Repeat last 2 rows 2 (3, 4, 6) (8, 10, 12, 14) more times. [76 (82, 90, 98) (104, 112, 120, 128) stitches]
Using a cable cast on, cast on 2 (4, 5, 6) (8, 9, 10, 11) stitches at the beginning of the next 2 rows. [80 (90, 100, 110) (120, 130, 140, 150) stitches]
CONTINUE FRONT BODY
Continue in garter stitch until piece measures 12½ (13, 13½, 14) (14½, 15, 15½, 16) inches from Armhole cast on, or until you have 56 (58, 60, 63) (65, 67, 69, 72) garter ridges, ending with a wrong-side row.
With right side facing you, bind off knitwise.
FINISHING
SEAMING
NOTE: For help with seaming, visit our Seaming Garter Stitch Tutorial.
Fold piece so wrong sides are together and bottom edges are aligned. Using a new length of yarn, seam together Front and Back selvages, starting at bottom edge and ending at beginning of Armholes.
EDGING
NOTE: For assistance on picking up stitches, please visit our Picking Up Stitches Tutorial.
WORK ARMHOLES
Starting at seam at bottom of Armhole and using shorter circular needles, pick up and knit Armhole Edging as follows: 1 stitch for every cast-on/bind-off stitch at bottom of Armhole; 1 stitch between each garter ridge along sides and top of Armhole.
Bind off all stitches.
Repeat this process for other Armhole.
WORK NECKBAND
Starting at first bound-off stitch at Back Neckline and using shorter circular needles, pick up and knit Neckband Edging as follows: 1 stitch for every bind-off stitch along Back Neckline; 1 stitch between each garter ridge along each Neckline side; 1 stitch for every cast-on stitch along Front Neckline.
Bind off all stitches.
WEAVING IN + BLOCKING
Weave in all ends and gently wet block.
Learn About Sunshower Cotton + All Our Beautiful Yarns
We used Sunshower Cotton for this project to show off its soft, stippled surface, like the sun shining through an afternoon drizzle! This worsted/aran-weight yarn has a very pleasant hand, both substantial and soft, as well as supple. A machine washable yarn, Sunshower Cotton is 100% organically grown cotton and absolutely wonderful for adding interest to lovely garments, blankets, baby knits, and housewares. Take a sunshower!
More Free Knitting Patterns
- Be sure to explore our inspiring collection of free Sunshower Cotton knitting patterns and cast on!
More Worsted/Aran-Weight Yarns
- Shop our entire collection of worsted/aran-weight yarns
- If you want to use a different yarn, be sure to take the time to get the correct gauge. Need help? Check our All About Gauge Tutorial!
More Yarns With Similar Fiber
- Shop cotton yarn
- Shop plant-based yarn
- Shop machine washable yarn
Looking for more inspiration? Explore all of our free knitting patterns and knitting tutorials, buy one of our many knitting kits and yarn bundles, and shop for beautiful yarn. We have over 35 gorgeous natural fiber yarns in 100’s of magnificent colors, designed to bring integrity, beauty, and joy to your next knitting project and only available at Purl Soho!
This is the pattern I have been looking for!
I am curious about doing this in a more open-looking yarn. Understanding that I’d need to swatch carefully to ensure fit, what do you think about this done with two strands of Handwritten held together?
Hi Heidi,
That is a great idea. Ultimately you can use any yarn you’d like as long as you are able to meet the same gauge as the pattern. In this case, you could definitely use hand written for a nice open airy tank top! Please let us know if you have any questions along the way!
Happy knitting,
Gavriella
What other Purl Soho yarn would you recommend for this pattern? I would prefer a solid color.
Thanks.
Hi Hillary,
Thanks for writing in! This pattern was designed for a worsted weight yarn, but I think you could get away with using a DK weight yarn as well. In particular, I would suggest Morning which is a blend of cotton and yak or Serif which is 100% pima cotton. As always, we recommend knitting a gauge swatch before casting on your project, especially when you are substituting yarns. You may need to size up or down your needles in order to get the correct gauge!
All the best,
Lili
Help, why and how is your tension and stitch definition so flawless?
Hi Marcus,
Thank you for writing in! We would recommend washing and blocking your swatch and project for the best stitch definition result. We hope this helps but please let us know if you have any other questions!
All the best,
Gavriella
What a beautiful sweater! Do you think it would work to add sleeves? If so, would you suggest just picking up approximately 3 out of every 4 stitches at the arm hole and then go from there?
Hi Holly,
Thank you for asking! Although we haven’t tried this modification variation, I don’t see why it wouldn’t work. It sounds like a fun idea and we encourage you to give it a try!
Happy knitting,
Gavriella
Hi, i wonder what if I bind off 4-3-3-2-1 instead of decreasing to shape the armholes?
Hi Beggy,
Thank you for writing in! Although we haven’t tried this technique for this pattern, you could absolutely give this a try!
All the best,
Gavriella
How many skeins do I need to get to make this vest please ? I don’t understand from the description
Hi Maya,
Thank you for asking! This pattern is actually written for multiple sizes so depending on the one you are making, you will need 5 (5, 6, 7) (8, 8, 9, 10) skeins of Purl Soho’s Sunshower Cotton. You can find more information about how to choose a size in our Selecting A Size tutorial and further instructions on following a pattern that is written for multiple sizes in our Reading a Knitting Pattern tutorial.
I hope this helps and happy making!
All the best,
Gavriella
Hello,
I would like to thank everyone at Purl Soho for making knitting fun and encouraging. Your products are not only beautiful but also very high quality.
Thank you for providing everything a knitter would need for an exeptional experience.
Hilda