Stacy Charles Fine Yarns Bond Tank Knitting Pattern

Bond Tank by Rosemary Drysdale

What is Being Made

The Bond Tank is a sleeveless knitted garment designed by Rosemary Drysdale for Stacy Charles Fine Yarns. This tank top features a classic fitted silhouette with ribbed texture and is available in four sizes: Small (bust 34½"), Medium (bust 39"), Large (bust 43½"), and Extra Large (bust 48"). The finished length ranges from 20¼" to 21½" depending on size, making it suitable for warm-weather wear or layering.

Techniques Used

This pattern employs several intermediate knitting techniques to create its finished structure. The 3-Needle Bind-Off is used as a special seaming technique, joining two pieces together while simultaneously binding off, which creates a secure and professional finish. This method involves holding two pieces with right sides facing each other and using a third needle to knit stitches from both pieces together before binding them off in one motion. For a decorative seam that appears on the right side, the pattern allows for working with wrong sides facing each other instead. The tank also features armhole shaping accomplished through strategic decreases worked on right-side rows, with paired decreases (ssk and k2tog) positioned symmetrically on either side of the work to create a tapered fit.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch pattern is Broken Rib, which creates textured vertical lines throughout the garment. This stitch pattern is worked using one strand each of two different yarns held together, creating visual interest and dimensional texture. The pattern also incorporates basic knitting stitches including knit (k), purl (p), slip stitch (sl 1), and decreases such as ssk (slip, slip, knit) and k2tog (knit two together). Stitch markers are used to help track pattern repeats and shaping points, while stitch holders temporarily secure stitches during construction.

Materials and Yarn

The Bond Tank is designed to be knitted with two complementary yarns from Stacy Charles Fine Yarns, held together throughout. The first yarn is ALICIA, a 100% linen yarn available in 1.75 oz (50g) balls with 180 yards (165 meters) per ball. For this pattern, 3 to 5 balls of ALICIA in color #01 pearly white (A) are required depending on size. The second yarn is CRYSTAL, composed of 85% polyester and 15% cotton, offered in 0.88 oz (25g) balls with 144 yards (131 meters) per ball. The pattern calls for 3 to 5 balls of CRYSTAL in color #22 paper moon (B), also depending on size. Both yarns are held together as one throughout the knitting process.

Needles and Notions

The pattern is worked on size 7 (4.5mm) needles. Knitters should obtain an extra size 7 needle for executing the 3-Needle Bind-Off seaming technique. Additional supplies include stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and shaping, stitch holders for securing stitches during construction, and a yarn needle for weaving in ends and any finishing work. The recommended gauge is 26 rows and 17½ stitches measured over 4 inches (10 centimeters) when working the Broken Rib pattern using one strand each of yarns A and B held together.