The 10 Minute Tank

Size

To fit Girl's 6/7 year old 8/9 in parentheses.

Finished Measurements

Chest: 60 (72)cm , garter stretches to fit 70 (80)cm chest with ease.
Length: From top of back to bottom edge 30 (33)cm

Materials

Silvery Green Model in 6/7 size - Leopard Defile' [55% Merino wool, 35% viscose, 10% polyamid; 110m (121yds) per 50g skein]; color: 008 ; 2 skeins (it is a tape type yarn)

Multi Colored Model in 8/9 size - Plymouth's Fantasy Naturale [100% Mercerized Cotton; 153m (140 yds) per 100g hank]; color: 9702; 2 hanks + a bit of a third for the straps.
1 pair 5mm needles or 5mm circs if you prefer
1 pair of 4.5mm dpns
Ruler or tape measure with centimeters
Waste yarn
Yarn needle or crochet hook to weave in ends

Gauge

14 sts/26 rows = 10 cm in garter stitch with 5mm needles.

Directions

With waste yarn CO 28 (34) sts. Purl one row, knit one row, purl one row.
Next: Switch to MC, knit 5(7)cm in garter stitch.

Armhole Shaping Pt. 1

*CO 2 sts. on top edge of tank. Knit 2 rows.* Repeat * to * once (twice) more. Then, CO 6 (8) sts on top end.

Front

Knit 6 (7)cm in garter.

Bottom Shaping

From bottom edge,
A) knit 12 (14), wrap (slip next st. to RH needle, bring yarn foward, slip st. back to left hand needle), turn and knit to end of row.
B) knit 14(16), wrap, turn, knit to end of row.
C) Same as A.

Knit 6 (7)cms of garter.
Repeat the Bottom Shaping (ABCs) once more.

Then knit 6 (7) cms garter. Ending with a wrong side row

Armhole Shaping Pt. 2

From the top edge BO 6 (8) sts. Knit 2 rows.
*BO 2 sts. Knit 2 rows.* Repeat * to * once (twice) more.

Knit in garter for 10 (13) cm.

Armhole Shaping Pt. 3

*CO 2 sts. on top edge of tank. Knit 2 rows.*
Repeat * to * once (twice) more.
Then, CO 10 (12) sts on top end.

Back

Knit 6 (7)cms in garter.

Repeat Bottom Shaping ABCs.

Knit 6 (7)cm garter.

Repeat Bottom Shaping ABCs.

Knit 6 (7)cm garter.

Armhole Shaping Pt.4

From the top edge BO 10 (12) sts.
Knit 2 rows.
*BO 2 sts. Knit 2 rows.*
Repeat * to * once (twice) more.

Knit 5 (6) cm garter.

Leave stitches on needle.

Finishing

Pick up stitches from CO end with other needle releasing/unravelling the waste yarn. With right sides together close seam using 3-needle bind-of

Straps

Work all 4 the same way. With dpns pick up and knit 3 sts. from the top right edge of the front. Knit 5 rows. Then work I-cord for 20cms. BO. Repeat for top left as well as back left and right top edges.

Straps (variation show in multi-color version)

(Make 4) With dpns pick up and knit 5 stitches from top edge, knit 5 rows, (rs) k2, dec 1, k1, knit 3 rows, k1, dec 1, k1. Do not turn. Slide stitches back to other end of needle and work 3 - stitch i-cord for 25cm.

Weave in ends.

Chase child around the house and have her model for you. Take a picture, share with the rest of us. :)

Updated pattern 06 April 05 with 8/9 sizing. Inspired by Kristi Porter's use of garter in the sideways way . It can be knit in a day or less if you're a speedster, otherwise over a couple.

It is knit entirely in garter stitch except for the ties which are done in 3 st. i-cord with a bit of short row shaping on the bottom. 3 needle bind off on the seam makes it look as though it was knit in the round. Sorry, the directions are not in inches, it's impossible to find the one ruler we have in the house with standard rule, so centimeters it is.

The simplicity of the tank lends itself to a myriad of variations be it a contrasting border/straps combo, stripes, can be made longer with more of a flounch bottom, also it is rather easy to resize.

Ok, I've just proof-read this 4 times and as far as I can tell it is accurate. BUT if you find anything that causes questions or confusion to arise feel free to .