Tahki Yarns Belcourt Tank Knitting Pattern

Tahki Yarns Belcourt Tank

What is Being Made

The Belcourt Tank is a sleeveless knitted sweater designed by Rosemary Drysdale. This easy-level tank top is available in seven sizes ranging from XS to 3X, with finished bust measurements from 34¼ inches (87 cm) to 54¾ inches (139.5 cm) and lengths from 22 inches (56 cm) to 27 inches (69 cm). The design features a classic tank silhouette with a shaped front neckline, making it suitable for layering or wearing as a standalone garment during warmer months.

Construction Techniques

The Belcourt Tank is constructed using a bottom-up, seamed approach. The garment is worked in distinct sections: the lower back and lower front pieces are knitted from side seam to side seam, with stitches subsequently picked up along the lower edges to create the lower border. The upper back and upper front sections are then worked by picking up stitches along the upper edges of the lower sections and knitting upward to the shoulders. This modular construction method allows for straightforward shaping and makes the pattern accessible to beginner knitters. The front neckline is shaped through strategic decreases worked during the upper front section.

Stitches Used

The Belcourt Tank employs two primary stitch patterns:

• Stockinette Stitch (St st) – Used as the foundation fabric throughout the tank, creating a smooth, classic knit surface
• Seed Stitch – A textured stitch pattern used for both the lower edging and the upper body sections. Seed Stitch is worked over a multiple of 2 stitches plus 1, alternating knit and purl stitches on every row to create a bumpy, reversible texture
• Ridge Stitch – Used specifically in the lower back section, this pattern alternates knit rows on the right side with knit rows on the wrong side, creating horizontal ridges

Materials and Tools

The Belcourt Tank is designed to be knitted with Tahki Yarns TIBURON, a blend of 50% Organic Cotton and 50% Lyocell. This fiber composition creates a breathable, drape-friendly fabric ideal for a summer tank top. The yardage requirements range from 5 balls (550 yards/500 meters) for the smallest size (XS) to 10 balls (1,100 yards/1,000 meters) for the largest size (3X). Each ball weighs 1.75 ounces (50 grams) and contains 110 yards (100 meters).

The pattern calls for size 6 (4mm) knitting needles in both straight and circular formats: one pair of straight needles for the main fabric and one 16-inch (40cm) circular needle for picking up stitches. Additional supplies include stitch holders for managing live stitches, a stitch marker for tracking pattern repeats, and a yarn needle for weaving in ends and seaming the finished pieces together.

Gauge and Finishing

The pattern specifies a gauge of 18 stitches and 28 rows over 4 inches (10cm) in Stockinette Stitch, blocked. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for obtaining the intended finished measurements. The tank is completed by binding off all sections in pattern, then seaming the side seams to join the lower and upper sections together, creating a finished, wearable garment.