Cascade Yarns DK Flower Bud Tank Jumper Knitting Pattern

Cascade Yarns DK Flower Bud Tank

What Is Being Made

The Cascade Yarns DK Flower Bud Tank is a sleeveless pullover sweater designed by Laura Matthews. This intermediate-level knitting project features a fitted silhouette that sits slightly above the hip, with finished lengths ranging from 20.5 inches (size S) to 24 inches (size XL). The tank is available in four sizes: Small, Medium, Large, and Extra Large, with chest measurements at the underarm ranging from 34 inches to 44 inches.

Techniques Used

This tank top is constructed using several advanced knitting techniques that create visual interest and a sophisticated finished garment:

• Bottom-Up Construction: The sweater is knitted from the bottom edge upward, allowing knitters to try on the garment as it progresses and make adjustments to the finished length as needed.
• Worked in the Round: The body and other sections are primarily worked in circular knitting using circular needles, which creates seamless fabric and reduces finishing work.
• Seamed Construction: Strategic seaming is used to join certain sections, particularly at the armholes and shoulder areas, providing structure and a polished appearance.
• Lace Patterning: Decorative lace elements are incorporated throughout the design, created through yarn-over increases and corresponding decreases that form openwork motifs. The pattern includes specific instructions for matching yarn-forward increases with corresponding decreases to maintain pattern integrity.

Stitches Used

The Flower Bud Tank employs a variety of fundamental and decorative knitting stitches:

• Knit and Purl Stitches: The foundation of the pattern, creating the base fabric texture.
• Cable Stitches: Cable 4 Back (C4B) and Cable 4 Forward (C4F) stitches add dimensional texture. These cables are created by slipping stitches onto a cable needle, holding them either to the back or front, then knitting stitches from the main needle before working the held stitches, creating twisted rope-like effects in the fabric.
• Decrease Stitches: Knit 2 Together (K2tog), Knit 3 Together (K3tog), Purl 2 Together (P2tog), and Purl 3 Together (P3tog) are used to shape the garment and create the lace pattern details.
• Yarn-Forward Increases: Yarn-forward (YF) increases create new stitches and form the openwork lace elements characteristic of the design. These increases must be carefully matched with corresponding decreases to maintain pattern balance.

Materials and Gauge

The Cascade Yarns DK Flower Bud Tank is designed to be worked in Cascade Ultra Pima, a 100% Pima cotton yarn. Each skein contains 3.5 ounces (100 grams) and yields 220 yards (200 meters). Depending on the finished size, the project requires between 3 skeins (for size Small) and 5 skeins (for size Extra Large). The sample shown features color #3731, Alaska Sky.

Knitting needles required include US 6 (4.5 mm) circular needles in 32-inch length for working the body in the round, as well as double-pointed needles (DPN) for smaller circumference sections. Additional materials needed include stitch markers, yarn needle for weaving in ends, and stitch holders for managing stitches during construction.

The pattern is worked to a gauge of 20 stitches and 24 rows equaling 4 inches (10 centimeters) in pattern stitch. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for proper fit, and the pattern instructions emphasize taking time to check gauge before beginning the project. The designer notes that blocking lace can expand the fabric by up to one inch in one direction, so knitters should plan accordingly if adjusting sizing or length.

Design Notes and Customization

The pattern includes helpful guidance for customization and fitting. The Flower Bud Tank naturally fits slightly above the hip; knitters who prefer a longer version can add additional pattern repeats before beginning the decrease shaping in the body section. When working shaping decreases, knitters are instructed to count stitches carefully to ensure decreases have not been accidentally reversed by pattern stitches. For sections where there are insufficient stitches to complete full pattern repeats, the instructions recommend using K2tog or P2tog instead of the