Tammy | Lace Tank Top Knitting Pattern

£12.50

An exercise in elegant geometry, Tammy offers the seasoned knitter a rhythmic, engaging project that results in a boutique-quality staple.

Do you dream of making beautiful knitwear that feels just as good as it looks? The kind that makes you open your closet and feel uplifted, knowing you’ll look beautiful no matter what?

If you’re tired of patterns that don’t quite get your unique shape, or are fed up of alterations, then welcome to the Tammy Lace Tank Top. This isn’t just another knitting pattern; it’s your personal guide to creating a garment that serves you, putting your body front and centre.

Named after Tamara (Tammy) White of Wing and a Prayer Farm, Shaftsbury, VT, this design showcases her Thelma and Louise DK yarn.  If you also love supporting local produce and knitting with naturally dyed yarn, you’ll also enjoy Tammy’s beautiful catalogue of wool blends.  The 2ply Thelma and Louise DK I’m modelling in Marigold is ideal for rustic everyday charm.  But an alpaca blend, like Alpaca Elegance from Green Mountain Spinnery (one of Tammy’s beloved neighbours) takes Tammy up a notch or two, turning her into a sultry sleeveless layer for showing more skin.  And you can rest assured that your yarn choice won’t compromise on the comfort engineered into the pattern.

Imagine this: You’re knitting away, loving the delicate lace, but instead of that familiar little worry about the fit, you feel a surge of confidence. That’s the power of the Tammy tank.

Designed from the top down with innovative vertical dart shaping, this pattern empowers you to customize the fit from the shoulders down. No more struggling with generic formulas or trying to force your body into a pre-set shape!  This is also a great project for refreshing your mattress stitch skills, which will help you to align the customised contouring you so thoughtfully knitted into your Tammy.

You’ll be inspired to use gorgeous yarns, like the luxurious Thelma and Louise DK from Wing and a Prayer Farm (from the sheep on Tammy’s farm!), to craft a piece that’s soft, breathable, and utterly unique to you.

The secret? A comprehensive 19-page dart fitting guide, packed with clear illustrations. It’s like having me right there with you, helping you tailor any shaping alterations with ease and clarity. You’ll not only master beautiful lace techniques but also gain invaluable insights into making clothes that truly belong to you.  The 8-row lace repeat is intuitive enough for a chatty knitting group once you’ve established the first few inches, making this an ideal ‘social knit’ that still looks high-end.

And the best part? The sheer pride and comfort when you slip on your finished Tammy Tank Top. It’s flattering, feminine, and incredibly comfortable, a piece that truly celebrates your silhouette.  Tammy is for the knitter who loves the satisfaction of a garment that looks far more intricate than it was to create — a testament to thoughtful design over unnecessary complexity.

You’ll feel that undeniable spark of authenticity, knowing you crafted this beautiful garment, perfectly fitted to your body. This is so much more than just a tank top.  Tammy is a tribute to your skill, your dedication, and your right to wear clothes that make you feel amazing, every day.

Your pattern and detailed dart fitting guide arrive as a digital PDF straight to your inbox, ready for you to dive in.  Ready to knit a top that genuinely fits you?

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Like the Aneeta cardigan, the Tammy tank top pattern is designed for you to put your own stamp on it.

Size Selection and Yarn Estimation

Please choose a size from 1-12 according to your shoulder bone to shoulder bone measurement in the sizing tab above, taken in a straight line with the tape measure running across the nape of your neck.  It’s most important to fit and select a size for the Tammy tank top at the shoulders.  The dart shaping will help you to fit the rest of your body measurements.  An illustrated 19-page dart fitting guide walks you through any bust shaping alterations needed for this lace tank top pattern.  You can also email me for pattern support at any time.

 

Yarn

Thelma and Louise DK by Wing and a Prayer Farm (https://www.wingandaprayerfarm.com/)
50% Cotswold + Cormo wool, 50% alpaca
217m / 238yds per 100g skein
Sample photographed in Marigold, naturally dyed

Needles

1 pair 4mm (US8) needles
1 pair 3.75mm (US9) needles (for hem ribbing)
1 pair 3.25mm (US11) needles (for armhole edging)
For neckband worked in the round – your choice of: 1 set of 3.25mm (US11) double-pointed needles; 3.25mm (US11) circular needle, no more than 40cm long; 3.25mm (US11) circular needle for magic loop/

Also required for the Tammy lace tank top pattern

Waste yarn for provisional cast on
Stitch holders
Locking stitch markers
Knitters sewing needle for weaving in ends

Special techniques for the Tammy tank top knitting pattern include:

  • lace increases and decreases (yo, ssk, k2tog, sl1-k2tog, psso), central double decrease (CDD)
  • ‘make 1’ style increases
  • Provisional cast on with waste yarn
  • Patty Lyons’ Extra Stretchy Bind Off (YouTube tutorial here)

 

 

Sizing, Fit, & Schematic Information

Yarn estimation above relates to Thelma & Louise 2ply from Wing & A Prayer Farm, 50% Cotswold + Cormo wool, 50% alpaca, 217m / 238yds per 100g skein.  Yarn estimations are for guidance only as the dart shaping is bespoke, or completely customisable.  Amounts given are WITHOUT dart shaping.  So if you need darts, I recommend buying an extra skein.

The sizing table above is for your shoulder-to-shoulder-bone measurement – but don’t forget that you can customise this as needed.  See the .GIF below for how the dart placement allows you to do this.  All this, and more, is included in the 19-page photo fitting guide that comes with the pattern.

Yarn Selection, Fibre, & Fabrication

The Tammy lace tank top is built around geometric lace and precise vertical dart fitting, requiring a lightweight fabric that sits flat under layers or holds its shape as a standalone piece.

 

Fibre Composition & Behaviour

  • Protein Fibres & Blends (Wool/Alpaca, Wool/Silk): Lightweight wool or alpaca blends offer warmth retention for air-conditioned spaces while keeping the vertical bust darts elastic and crisp.
  • Cellulosic Fibres (Organic Cotton, Linen, Silk): Unmercerised cotton, linen, or raw silk blends create a weightless, breathable, quick-drying layer ideal for warm microclimates. Cellulosic yarns drape beautifully across the chest and hips. Remember that extra length may develop with wear, so swatch thoroughly on a 20cm scale before choosing your size.

Yarn Weight & Meterage

Fingering / Sport / Light DK weight. Note that dart alterations will require slightly more meterage. Always calculate requirements by meterage rather than weight alone.

 

Yarn Construction

A smooth 3-ply or combed cotton/silk yarn gives sharp definition to the lace eyelets and central decreases. Avoid heavily slubbed yarns that might mask the delicate geometric lace details.

Testimonials & Inspiration

https://www.instagram.com/p/DPwTHn8kYS-/?stkn=MXI4eDk2ZmpvM3k3bg==

 

See more gorgeous Tammy tanks on Ravelry

 

Pattern Support

After checking out, you’ll be emailed a link to download a digital PDF file of your chosen pattern(s), plus any separate fitting guides as appropriate.  These will also be PDF files.  You’ll also receive further tutorials, inspiration, and general guidance via email after purchase, so please keep an eye on your inbox.

If you also choose to create an account – you can do this at checkout OR by clicking on the avatar in the top right-hand corner – your purchases will be stored in your account area for safekeeping.  I also recommend downloading all files immediately and saving them to your preferred computer or device so that you have a local copy.

You then have the option of either printing out the pattern or reading it from your mobile device – whichever suits you best.  And if you get stuck along the way or have any constructive feedback to share, you can email me anytime.  I’m always glad to hear from my community and see their interpretations of my patterns!

New to Natalie in Stitches knitting patterns? If you’re not ready to cast on or need a little more time to decide, I’ve created a worksheet especially for getting you settled with my designs.  Download it here.

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