Olivia Tank Top Knitting Pattern

Olivia Tank Top Knitting Pattern

What is Being Made

The Olivia Tank Top is a fitted sleeveless garment designed by Jenny Watson for Noro. This intermediate-level knitting project creates a classic tank top available in five size options to fit bust measurements ranging from 71-76 cm (28-30 inches) up to 112-117 cm (44-46 inches). The finished garment features an approximate full length of 48-59 cm (19-23¼ inches), making it suitable for layering or warm-weather wear.

Techniques and Construction Methods

The Olivia Tank Top employs several essential knitting techniques to achieve its tailored silhouette. The pattern utilizes armhole shaping through strategic cast-offs and decreasing stitches, creating a refined neckline and shoulder area. The construction involves neck shaping worked over multiple rows, with stitches divided and worked separately to form the front and back pieces. The garment is worked primarily in the round or in flat pieces, incorporating waist shaping through paired decreases that create a fitted profile.

The pattern demonstrates intermediate-level complexity through its use of stitch holders to manage multiple sections during construction, allowing the knitter to work different areas of the tank independently before finishing. The shaping techniques require attention to row counting and precise decrease placement to maintain the garment's proportions across all five size options.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch structure is stocking stitch (stockinette stitch), which creates the smooth, classic appearance of the tank top. The pattern incorporates several decrease techniques essential to shaping:

• K2tog (knit two stitches together) for right-leaning decreases
• s1, K1, psso (slip one stitch, knit one, pass slipped stitch over) for left-leaning decreases
• P2tog (purl two stitches together) for decreases on wrong-side rows

These decreases are strategically placed at specific intervals throughout the armhole and neck shaping sections to create a balanced, fitted garment. The pattern also employs casting off techniques to secure stitches at armhole edges and final completion.

Materials and Equipment

The Olivia Tank Top is knitted using Noro Taiyo 4ply yarn, a fine-weight yarn requiring 150-250 grams depending on the size selected. Smaller sizes (to fit 71-76 cm and 81-86 cm bust) require 150 grams of yarn, medium sizes (91-97 cm and 102-107 cm) require 200 grams, and the largest size (112-117 cm) requires 250 grams.

The pattern calls for two pairs of knitting needles in metric sizing: 3mm (US2) needles for the main fabric and 2.75mm (US2) needles for ribbing or edge work. Additional equipment includes stitch holders to temporarily secure stitches during construction.

Tension and Gauge

Achieving proper tension is critical for this intermediate project. The pattern specifies a gauge of 29 stitches and 40 rows over 10 centimeters (4 inches) in stocking stitch using 3mm (US2) knitting needles. Knitters should swatch before beginning to ensure their tension matches this specification, as variations will affect the finished measurements and fit of the garment across all five size options.