Tahki Yarns Eclipse Hi-Lo Tank Knitting Pattern

Tahki Yarns Eclipse Hi-Lo Tank

What is Being Made

The Eclipse Hi-Lo Tank is a sleeveless pullover sweater designed by Lidia Karabinech, featuring a distinctive hi-lo silhouette with a longer back length and shorter front length. This garment is available in six sizes ranging from Small to 3X, with bust measurements from 35½ inches (90 cm) to 55½ inches (141 cm). The back length ranges from 27¼ inches (69 cm) to 29¾ inches (75.5 cm), while the front length varies from 21 inches (53.5 cm) to 23½ inches (59.5 cm), creating an asymmetrical hemline that adds visual interest and contemporary styling.

Knitting Techniques

This tank top is constructed using several fundamental knitting techniques that create both structure and visual appeal. The garment is worked flat on straight needles, meaning pieces are knitted in rows rather than in the round, allowing for straightforward shaping and construction. The design employs a bottom-up construction method, where the knitter begins at the lower edge and works upward toward the neckline and armholes. The finished pieces are then seamed together using a yarn needle to join the front and back panels, as well as the side seams, creating clean, professional-looking seams.

The Eclipse Hi-Lo Tank features horizontal striping as a primary design element. The striping pattern is created by alternating between two yarn colors throughout the body of the garment, adding visual depth and interest to the simple silhouette. This stripe work is combined with strategic shaping at the armholes and neckline to create the distinctive hi-lo profile.

Stitches Used

The pattern utilizes fundamental knitting stitches appropriate for a lightweight cotton tank. The ribbed edging at the lower edge is worked in K1, P1 Rib (knit one, purl one rib), a classic elastic stitch that provides stretch and recovery, ensuring the garment maintains its shape around the bust. The main body of the tank is worked in Stockinette Stitch (St st), which creates a smooth, flat fabric with a characteristic V-textured appearance on the right side and horizontal bumps on the wrong side.

Decreasing stitches is essential for shaping the armholes and neckline. The pattern employs several decrease techniques including k2tog (knit two together), ssk (slip, slip, knit), p2tog (purl two together), and ssp (slip, slip, purl), as well as sk2p (slip one, knit one, pass slipped stitch over), which is a left-leaning double decrease. These decreases are worked strategically on both right-side and wrong-side rows to shape the garment while maintaining balanced decreasing on both sides of the armholes and neckline.

Materials and Gauge

The Eclipse Hi-Lo Tank is designed to be knitted with Tahki Yarns SLIM-FIT JEANS, a 100% Egyptian cotton yarn. This yarn choice creates a lightweight, breathable fabric ideal for a sleeveless summer tank. The yardage requirements vary by size: Small through Medium require 5 balls of the primary color (denim #02), while larger sizes require 6 to 8 balls. The contrast color (cream #07) requires 2 to 4 balls depending on size.

The recommended needle size is US 7 (4.5mm) for the main body of the garment. A pair of straight needles in this size is used for working the flat pieces, while a 16-inch (40 cm) circular needle in the same size is used for the armhole edgings and neckband. The pattern specifies a gauge of 20 stitches and 25 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) in Stockinette Stitch. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for obtaining the proper finished measurements, and knitters are advised to knit a gauge swatch before beginning the project. Additional supplies include stitch markers to denote pattern repeats and shaping points, stitch holders to temporarily secure stitches during construction, and a yarn needle for seaming and weaving in ends.