Retro Tank Top
designed by Kim Guzman © Mar. 1999
Please read my Terms of Use
Technique: Regular Crochet
Size
Instructions are for size small (6-8); changes in parentheses are for sizes medium (10-12) and large (14-16), respectively.
Notes from the Designer
Please note that I have only actually made this garment in size small. I used my gauge and grading books to estimate the size changes.
The only thing I had to guess completely was the neck scoop for the tank top on the larger sizes. I had absolutely no idea how deep to make the neck line. If you plan on making this garment in the larger sizes, please keep this in mind.
If you find any problems with the pattern, please do not hesitate to let me know. And, I would really appreciate your letting me know if you make it, especially the larger sizes so I will know whether the increases/decreases are correct. Have fun with this one!
Materials
- Crochet Hook: H (or size to obtain gauge)
- 2 (3, 4) skeins Lion Brand Microspun (2.5 oz.) – Lime
- 1 (1, 1) skein Lion Brand Microspun (2.5 oz.) – Mango
- 1 (1, 1) skein Lion Brand Microspun (2.5 oz.) – Buttercup
- Tapestry Needle
- Ruler
Yarn Note
Lion Brand Microspun is discontinued. A good substitute is this Brava Sport Yarn, currently available from KnitPicks.
Gauge
In pattern, 3 rows = 1 inch and space from 3-sc point to 3-sc point is 2 inches.
Crochet Pattern Instructions
Color Pattern
3 rows mango, 4 rows lime, 3 rows buttercup, 4 rows lime, 2 rows mango, 4 rows lime, 2 rows buttercup, 4 rows lime, 1 row mango, continue in lime for the remainder of the pattern.
Front and back (make 2):
Row 1: Ch 76 (86, 96). Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in next 3 ch. * 3 sc in next ch. Sc in next 4 ch. Sk 2 ch. Sc in next 4 ch. Rep from * to last 5 ch. 3 sc in next ch. Sc in last 4 ch. Ch 1, turn.
Row 2: Sk first sc. * Working in Front Loops only (until told otherwise), sc in next 4 sc. 3 sc in next sc. Sc in next 4 sc. Sk next 2 sc. Rep from * to last 10 sc. Sc in next 4 sc. 3 sc in next sc. Sc in next 3 sc. Sk next sc. Sc through both lps of last sc. Ch 1, turn. (Mark this row as the RIGHT side.)
Continue Row 2 in color pattern shown above, until piece measures approximately 8 (10, 12) inches.
Begin Decreasing Rows for Armholes.
Row 1: Sk 2 sc. Working in Front Loops only (until told otherwise), sc in next 3 sc. * 3 sc in next sc. Sc in next 4 sc. Sk next 2 sc. Sc in next 4 sc. Rep from * to last 5 sc. 3 sc in next sc. Sc in next 2 sc. Sk 2 sc. Sc through both lps of last sc. Ch 1, turn.
Row 2: Sk 2 sc. * Working in Front Loops only (until told otherwise), sc in next 2 sc. * 3 sc in next sc. Sc in next 4 sc. Sk next 2 sc. Sc in next 4 sc. Rep from * to last 4 sc. 3 sc in next sc. Sc in next sc. Sk 2 sc. Sc through both lps of last sc. Ch 1, turn.
Row 3: Sk 2 sc. * Working in Front Loops only (until told otherwise), sc in next sc. * 3 sc in next sc. Sc in next 4 sc. Sk next 2 sc. Sc in next 4 sc. Rep from * to last 3 sc. 3 sc in next sc. Sk 2 sc. Sc through both lps of last sc. Ch 1, turn.
Row 4: Sk 2 sc. Working in Front Loops only (until told otherwise), sc in next sc. * Sc in next 4 sc. Sk next 2 sc. Sc in next 4 sc. 3 sc in next sc. Rep from * to last 9 sc. Sk next 2 sc. Sc in next 5 sc (working in both lps for last sc). Ch 1, turn.
Row 5: Sk 2 sc. Working in Front Loops only (until told otherwise), sk next 2 sc. Sc in next 2 sc. * Sk next 2 sc. Sc in next 4 sc. 3 sc in next sc. Sc in next 4 sc. Rep from * to last 6 sc. Sk 2 sc. Sc in next sc. Sk 1 sc. Sc through both lps of next sc. Ch 1 turn.
Row 6: Sk 2 sc. Working in Front Loops only (until told otherwise), sk next 3 sc. * Sc in next 4 sc. 3 sc in next sc. Sc in next 4 sc. Sk next 2 sc. Rep from * to last 2 sc. Working in both lps, sl st in next sc. Turn.
Row 7: This Row is worked in BOTH lps throughout. Sl st in next 2 sc. Ch 1, sc in same st. Sc in next 3 sc. 2 sc in next sc. * Sk 1 sc. Hdc in next sc. Dc in next 2 sc. Tr in next 2 sc. Dc in next 2 sc. Hdc in next sc. Sk 1 sc. Sc in next sc. Rep from * to last 5 sc. Sc in same sc and in next 4 sc. Fasten off.
For shoulders: Continue working in BOTH loops throughout. Attach yarn to right side at 2nd sc of 2-sc point. Ch 1. Hdc in each of next 8 stitches. * Ch 1, turn. Hdc in each of next 8 hdc. Rep from * until shoulder measures 4 (5, 6) inches. Fasten off. For other shoulder, attach yarn to wrong side at 2nd sc of other 2-sc point. Ch 1. Hdc in each of next 8 stitches. Rep from * until shoulder measures 4 (5, 6) inches. Fasten off.
For bottom row: Attach yarn to right side (working in unused loops of beginning chain) and repeat in pattern as for Row 7 above, beginning with ch 1, sc in same stitch. Hdc, 2 dc, 2 tr, etc. Fasten off.
Finishing
Weave in all ends and stitch pieces together at sides and shoulder.
With lime, work reverse sc evenly around armholes, neck hole and bottom. Fasten off and weave in all ends.