Valley Yarns Bonita Springs Slipover Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Bonita Springs - KE Gulf Coast Collection

What Is Being Made

The Bonita Springs is a smooth cotton tank top designed by Julie Turjoman, featuring a body-skimming, slightly A-line silhouette with a curved back hem and comfortably wide shoulder straps. This sleeveless top offers two neckline options, allowing the knitter to choose which neckline style to use for the front and which for the back. The design combines airiness with timeless elegance, making it an ideal warm-weather garment.

Techniques Used

This intermediate-level knitting project employs several advanced shaping techniques to achieve its flattering fit:

• Bottom-up construction: The tank is worked from the hem upward, beginning with the lower body joined to work in the round for seamless construction.
• Worked in the round: The majority of the piece is knitted circularly using circular needles, reducing seaming and creating a smooth, continuous fabric.
• Short-row shaping: Strategic short-row shaping creates the curved hem that dips longer in the back, providing a flattering silhouette. Additional short-row shaping enhances the fit of the shoulders for a customized, body-conscious result.
• Decreases for A-line shaping: Decreases worked on each side create the A-line body shaping, with a closer fit at the bust and a looser fit at the hips for comfortable wear.
• Brief back-and-forth sections: After the lower body is joined, the piece is briefly worked back and forth in rows to accommodate the short-row shaping before returning to circular construction.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette stitch: The primary stitch throughout the body of the tank, worked in the round and in rows, creating a smooth, classic fabric with excellent drape.
• Reverse stockinette stitch: Used for all edgings, worked in narrow bands to frame the necklines, armholes, and hem with subtle textural contrast.

Materials and Gauge

The Bonita Springs is designed to be knitted in Valley Yarns Westhampton, a luxurious 100% Pima cotton yarn with a silky soft hand and graceful drape. The sample shown uses the color Polar (06). Yarn requirements range from 6 balls for the smallest size (XS) to 11 balls for the largest size (4XL), with each ball containing 50 grams and 109 yards.

Needles required include US size 6 (4.00 mm) circular needles in varying lengths for the main fabric and US size 5 (3.75 mm) circular needles in varying lengths and double-pointed needles for ribbed edgings. The recommended gauge is 20 stitches and 28 rows per round equals 4 inches in stockinette stitch on the larger needles, blocked.

Additional materials include 6 stitch markers (with 2 in unique colors to aid in pattern tracking), 3 locking stitch markers, stitch holders or waste yarn for holding stitches, and a tapestry needle for weaving in ends.

Sizing and Fit

The Bonita Springs is available in nine sizes ranging from XS to 4XL. Finished bust measurements span from 34 inches (XS) to 62 inches (4XL), with the design fitting with 2 to 4 inches of positive ease for a comfortable, body-skimming silhouette. The front length from hem to underarm ranges from 16 to 18 inches depending on size, while the back length ranges from 19 to 21 inches, creating the signature curved hemline. The piece can be made longer if desired, though additional yarn will be required.

Design Highlights

The Bonita Springs combines practical construction with sophisticated shaping. The use of premium Pima cotton provides exceptional softness and breathability, while the strategic short-row shaping and A-line decreases create a garment that flatters multiple body types. The option to choose between two neckline styles adds versatility, allowing knitters to customize the finished piece to their preferences. All edgings are worked in reverse stockinette stitch, providing a refined, professional finish to this intermediate-level design.