Berroco Hammersmith Top Knitting Pattern

Berroco Hammersmith Knit Tank Top

What is Being Made

The Berroco Hammersmith is an intermediate-level knit tank top featuring flattering A-line shaping. This sleeveless garment is designed to be worked seamlessly in the round from the bottom up, offering a modern, fitted silhouette. The pattern provides eight size options, ranging from 32" to 60¼" bust measurements, with corresponding length adjustments from 21" to 25", making it adaptable for various body types and fit preferences.

Construction Techniques

The Hammersmith employs a sophisticated circular knitting technique that minimizes seaming and creates a polished finished garment. The body is constructed as a single piece worked in the round to the underarms, then strategically divided into separate back and front sections that are completed in flat rows. This hybrid approach combines the speed and seamlessness of circular knitting with the shaping control of flat knitting.

The garment features deliberate decreasing to create the A-line silhouette. Decreases are worked symmetrically on both sides of stitch markers, occurring every 12 rounds, with a total of four decrease rounds worked throughout the body. This structured shaping technique ensures even tapering and professional results.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch throughout the Hammersmith is Stockinette Stitch (St st), which creates a smooth, classic fabric with a flat appearance on the right side. In circular knitting, Stockinette is achieved by knitting every round. The pattern begins with a single purl round, which creates a subtle rolled edge detail at the cast-on.

Shaping is accomplished using standard decreasing techniques: k2tog (knit two stitches together) and SSK (slip, slip, knit), both of which lean the decreases in opposite directions for balanced, symmetrical shaping on either side of the body.

Materials and Gauge

The Hammersmith is designed to be worked with Berroco Gingham, a yarn that comes in 100-gram balls. Yardage requirements vary by size, ranging from 2 balls for the smallest size (32" bust) to 4 balls for the largest sizes. The pattern shown features color #3157 Pepper.

Needles required include both 29" and 16" circular needles in size 11 (8.00 mm), or the size needed to achieve the specified gauge. The longer needle accommodates the larger cast-on stitches for the body, while the shorter needle is used for smaller sections such as necklines or armholes.

The pattern calls for a gauge of 11 stitches and 15 rounds over 4 inches in Stockinette Stitch. Achieving accurate gauge is essential for proper fit, and the pattern instructions emphasize checking gauge before beginning to ensure measurements match the finished dimensions.

Additional Notions and Tools

• Two stitch markers in different colors to denote the beginning of rounds and shaping points
• Waste yarn for temporarily holding stitches during construction

This downloadable PDF pattern from Berroco Book #417 is suitable for knitters with intermediate skill, requiring familiarity with circular knitting, decreasing techniques, and the ability to follow multi-size instructions.