Carefree Lace Tank Dress

Time: 3 weeks

Skill Level: Intermediate

SIZES: XS (S, M, L) (XL, 2X, 3X, 4X): Finished Bust Size 32 (36, 40, 44) (48, 52, 56, 60)”/80 (90, 100, 110) (120, 130, 140, 150) cm to fit bust 28 (32, 36, 40) (44, 48, 52, 56)”/70 (80, 90, 100) (110, 120, 130, 140) cm

4-5”/10-12.5cm positive ease recommended

Shown in size 40”/100 cm

Gauge: 22 sts and 32 rows/rnds = 4” [10cm] in Stockinette st (St st), blocked

20 sts and 32 rnds = 4” [10cm] in Lace Chart, blocked

16 sts and 28 rnds = 4” [10cm] in Mesh Chart, blocked

Materials

Yarn: Universal Yarn Bamboo Pop DK (50% Cotton, 50% Bamboo; 292 yards [266 meters]/3.5 oz [100 grams): 119 Ink Blue (4 (5, 5, 6) (6, 6, 7, 7) balls).

1104 (1215, 1338, 1445) (1519, 1650, 1722, 1836) yds/1009 (1111, 1223, 1321) (1389, 1508, 1575, 1679) m

Needles: US size 5 3.75 mm, 24-32”/60-80cm circular depending on garment size or size needed to obtain gauge and spare needle size US size 5 3.75mm 24-32”/60-80cm circular or one size smaller than working needle

Notions: Markers, removable stitch marker, stitch holders, waste yarn, tapestry needle

Abbreviations

sl2, k1, p2sso: slip 2 sts together knitwise, k1, pass both slipped sts over st just worked and off needles

DS – to form Double St, slip next st purlwise with yarn in front, and pull yarn up snugly. Wrap yarn behind right needle tip and work next st snuggly, then continue in pattern across row.

Cable CO: Insert right needle from front to back between last 2 sts on left needle. Wrap yarn around needle as if to knit and pull through a fairly good-sized loop. Rotate the right needle clockwise, insert left needle into loop on right needle from left to right. Remove right needle. Snug up the yarn so st is uniform in size with other sts. Rep until required number of sts are CO.

Old Norwegian Cast On: Link to tutorial by Joan Laws:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvcoG8NniAA

Special Stitches

Garter Stitch

Row 1 (RS): Knit.

Row 2 (WS): Knit.

Rep Rows 1-2 for patt.

Lace Chart (Mult of 6 sts)

Rnd 1: Knit.

Rnd 2: *Yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, k1; rep from *.

Rnd 3: Knit.

Rnd 4: *K1, yo, sl2, k1, p2sso, yo, k2; rep from *.

Rep Rnds 1-4 for patt.

Mesh Chart (Mult of 2 sts + 1)

Rnd 1: *Yo, p2tog; rep from * to last st, p1.

Rnd 2: *K2tog, yo; rep from * to last st, k1.

Rep Rnds 1-2 for patt.

NOTE – Mesh Chart is easier to work if you keep your knitting a little on the loose side.

Pattern Notes

Dress is worked top down, joined at the underarms and worked in the round to the bottom. Lace hem is worked in the round from the bottom up and joined to the dress with three-needle bind off.

Left and right refer to sides as worn.

To form a YO after a knit and before a purl, move the yarn forward under the right needle to form the yo, then wrap the yarn counter clockwise around the needle again to position it for the purl st.

Measurements for lengths in pattern and schematic are listed as worn, with weight of garment factored in.

The ruffled hem consists of two layers; the under layer worked in reversible mesh and the top layer worked in lace. Each layer is worked one at a time, in the round from the bottom up, then both are joined together with three-needle bind off.

Read all rounds of charts from right to left.

Pattern

Hem

Bottom Layer

Using a stretchy cast on like Old Norwegian Cast On, CO 177 (197, 211, 231) (249, 265, 273, 283) sts, pm, join in the round, careful not to twist sts.  Work Rnd 1 of Mesh Chart, repeating sts within the repeat section until 1 st rem, work last st of chart.  Cont. working chart, repeating Rnds 1-2 until piece measures 7”/17.5cm, ending with Rnd 2.

NOTE – stitch pattern will expand during blocking.  Measure length by counting rows compared to your blocked mesh swatch. If unsure, stop knitting at 6”/15cm, place all sts on waste yarn, wet block, stretch out, and pin and place.  Once dry, shake out piece and continue knitting if needed.

With spare needle, work Inc Rnd as follows, transferring all sts to spare needle as you go.

Inc Rnd:  *K3, kfb; rep from * to last 1 (5, 3, 3) (1, 5, 1, 3) sts, knit to end (221 (245, 263, 288) (311, 330, 341, 353) sts.

Next Rnd:  Knit and inc 1 (1, 1, 0) (1, 0, 1, 1) st towards the middle of the rnd (222 (246, 264, 288) (312, 330, 342, 354) sts.) Cut yarn, leaving a 6”/15cm tail. Set aside.

Top Layer

Using a stretchy cast on like Old Norwegian Cast On, CO 222 (246, 264, 288) (312, 330, 342, 354) sts, pm, join in the round, careful not to twist sts.  Work Rnd 1 of Lace Chart to end.  Continue working all rnds of Lace Chart, repeating until piece measures about 5”/12.5 cm, ending with Rnd 4.

Next Rnd:  Purl.

Join Layers

Hold sts for Bottom Layer behind Lace Top Layer, needles parallel, with RS of both layers facing you.  Turn, with WS facing, place a rubber band or stopper on tip of right working needle to keep sts from popping off and hold spare needle in your right hand.  Work back around and k2tog (1 st from each needle, as if working Three-Needle BO, but do not bind off sts).  Continue working around all sts until the layers have been joined and no sts rem on main needle.  Cut yarn, leaving a 6”/15cm tail.  Weave in ends, using yarn

Back Right Shoulder

CO 8 (8, 8, 10) (10, 10, 12, 12) sts.

Row 1 (RS): Knit.

Row 2 (WS): K3, purl to end.

Rep Rows 1-2 three more times.

Shape Back Right Neck

Inc Row (RS):  K2, M1R, knit to end. 1 st inc’d.

Next Row (WS):  K3, purl to end.

Rep last 2 rows three more times (12 (12, 12, 14) (14, 14, 16, 16) sts.) Break yarn and leave a 6”/15cm tail.  Place sts on a holder.

Back Left Shoulder

CO 8 (8, 8, 10) (10, 10, 12, 12) sts.

Row 1 (RS): Knit.

Row 2 (WS): Purl to last 3 sts, k3. Place a removable marker on last st.

Rep Rows 1-2 three more times.

Shape Back Left Neck

Inc Row (RS):  Knit to last 2 sts, M1L, k2.  1 st inc’d.

Next Row (WS):  Purl to last 3 sts, k3.

Rep last 2 rows three more times (12 (12, 12, 14) (14, 14, 16, 16) sts.)

Join Shoulders

Next Row (RS): Knit to end, turn, with WS facing, Cable CO 39 (42, 43, 44) (45, 46, 47, 48) sts for back neck, turn, return held Right Shoulder sts to left needle with RS facing, sl 1 st wyib from left to right needle, pass last CO st over sl st and off needle, knit to end (62 (65, 66, 71) (72, 73, 78, 79) sts.)

Next Row (WS):  K3, purl to last 3 sts, k3.

Maintaining first and last 3 sts in Garter st, continue to work in St st for 28 (26, 22, 22) (18, 14, 14, 10) more rows or until piece measures 5.75 (5.5, 5, 5) (4.5, 4, 4, 3.5)”/14.5 (14, 12.5, 12.5) (11, 10, 10, 9) cm from top of shoulder, ending with a WS row.

Shape Armholes

Inc Row (RS):  K4, M1R, knit to last 4 sts, M1L, k4.  2 sts inc’d.

Next Row (WS):  K3, purl to last 3 sts, k3.

Rep last 2 rows 6 (9, 13, 15) (19, 23, 25, 29) more times (76 (85, 94, 103) (112, 121, 130, 139) sts.). Break yarn and leave a 6”/15cm tail.  Place sts on waste yarn.

Front Left Shoulder

NOTE: Since you’re picking up sts in the opposite direction, you will have one less available st. Pick up last st just inside edge.

With RS of back facing, held sts at bottom and shoulder sts at top, attach yarn at neck edge of back left shoulder (the shoulder with the removable marker) and pick up and knit each of the 8 (8, 8, 10) (10, 10, 12, 12) sts.

Setup Row (WS): K3, purl to end.

Row 1 (RS): Knit.

Row 2 (WS): K3, purl to end.

Rep Rows 1-2 six more times.

Shape Left Front Neck

Inc Row (RS):  K2, M1R, knit to end. 1 st inc’d.

Next Row (WS):  K3, purl to end.

Next Row (RS):  Knit.

Next Row (WS):  K3, purl to end.

Rep last 4 rows 3 (5, 4, 4) (3, 2, 2, 1) more times (12 (14, 13, 15) (14, 13, 15, 14) sts.)

Inc Row (RS):  K2, M1R, knit to end. 1 st inc’d.

Next Row (WS):  K3, purl to end.

Rep last 2 rows 6 (1, 0, 0) (0, 0, 0, 0) times (19 (16, 14, 16) (15, 14, 16, 15) sts.)

Maintaining patt, work 0 (0, 0, 0) (2, 2, 2, 2) rows even.

Sizes – (–, M, L, XL) (2X, 3X, 4X) ONLY:

Shape Neck & Armhole

Inc Row (RS):  K2, M1R, knit to last 4 sts, M1L, k4.  2 sts inc’d.

Next Row (WS):  K3, purl to end.

Inc Row (RS):  Knit to last 4 sts, M1L, k4. 1 st inc’d.

Next Row (WS):  K3, purl to end.

Rep last 4 rows – (–, 1, 1) (1, 1, 3, 4) more times (– (–, 20, 22) (21, 20, 28, 30) sts.)

ALL SIZES RESUME:

Shape Neck & Armhole

Inc Row (RS):  K2, M1R, knit to last 4 sts, M1L, k4.  2 sts inc’d.

Next Row (WS):  K3, purl to end.

Rep last 2 rows 4 (7, 7, 8) (9, 11, 9, 9) more times (29 (32, 36, 39) (41, 44, 48, 50) sts.) Place sts on hold.

Front Right Shoulder

With RS facing, held sts at bottom and shoulder sts at top, attach yarn at armhole edge of back right shoulder and pick up and knit each of the 8 (8, 8, 10) (10, 10, 12, 12) sts as for Left Front Shoulder.

Setup Row (WS): Purl to last 3 sts, k3.

Row 1 (RS): Knit.

Row 2 (WS): Purl to last 3 sts, k3.

Rep Rows 1-2 six more times.

Shape Right Front Neck

Inc Row (RS):  Knit to last 2 sts, M1L, k2.  1 st inc’d.

Next Row (WS):  Purl to last 3 sts, k3.

Next Row (RS):  Knit.

Next Row (WS):  Purl to last 3 sts, k3.

Rep last 4 rows 3 (5, 4, 4) (3, 2, 2, 1) more times (12 (14, 13, 15) (14, 13, 15, 14) sts.)

Inc Row (RS):  Knit to last 2 sts, M1L, k2. 1 st inc’d.

Next Row (WS):  Purl to last 3 sts, k3.

Rep last 2 rows 6 (1, 0, 0) (0, 0, 0, 0) times (19 (16, 14, 16) (15, 14, 16, 15) sts.)

Maintaining patt, work 0 (0, 0, 0) (2, 2, 2, 2) rows even.

Sizes – (–, M, L, XL) (2X, 3X, 4X) ONLY:

Shape Neck & Armhole

Inc Row (RS):  K4, M1R, knit to last 2 sts, M1L, k2.  2 sts inc’d.

Next Row (WS): Purl to last 3 sts, k3.

Inc Row (RS):  K4, M1R, knit to end. 1 st inc’d.

Next Row (WS): Purl to last 3 sts, k3.

Rep last 4 rows – (–, 1, 1) (1, 1, 3, 4) more times (– (–, 20, 22) (21, 20, 28, 30) sts.)

ALL SIZES RESUME:

Shape Neck & Armhole

Inc Row (RS):  K4, M1R, knit to last 2 sts, M1L, k2.  2 sts inc’d.

Next Row (WS): Purl to last 3 sts, k3.

Rep last 2 rows 4 (7, 7, 8) (9, 11, 9, 9) more times (29 (32, 36, 39) (41, 44, 48, 50) sts.)

Join Fronts

Next Row (RS):  K4, M1R, knit to last 2 sts, M1L, k2, turn, Cable CO 13 (16, 17, 16) (17, 16, 17, 18) sts, turn, return Left Front Shoulder sts to left needle with RS facing, sl 1 st wyib from left to right needle, pass last CO st over sl st and off needle, k1, M1R, knit to last 4 sts, M1L, K4 (74 (83, 92, 97) (102, 107, 116, 121) sts.)

Next Row (WS):  K3, purl to last 3 sts, k3.

Continue Shaping Armholes

Inc Row (RS):  K4, M1R, knit to last 4 sts, M1L, k4.  2 st inc’d.

Next Row (WS):  K3, purl to last 3 sts, k3.

Rep last 2 rows 0 (0, 0, 2) (4, 6, 6, 8) more times (76 (85, 94, 103) (112, 121, 130, 139) sts.)

Join Back & Front

Next Row (RS):  Knit to end, turn, Cable CO 6 (7, 8, 9) (10, 11, 12, 13), pm for side, Cable CO 7 (8, 9, 10) (11, 12, 13, 14) sts, return Back held sts to left needle with RS facing and sl 1 st wyib from left to right needle, pass last CO st over sl st and off needle, knit to end, turn, Cable CO 6 (7, 8, 9) (10, 11, 12, 13), pm for BOR (170 (191, 212, 233) (254, 275, 296, 317) sts.)

Next Rnd: Cable CO 7 (8, 9, 10) (11, 12, 13, 14) sts, slip 1 st wyib from left to right needle, pass last CO st over sl st and off needle, p8 (9, 10, 11) (12, 13, 14, 15), knit to 9 (10, 11, 12) (13, 14, 15, 16) sts before side marker, purl to marker, sm, p9 (10, 11, 12) (13, 14, 15, 16), knit to 9 (10, 11, 12) (13, 14, 15, 16) sts before end of rnd, purl to end (176 (198, 220, 242) (264, 286, 308, 330) sts.)

Next Rnd: Knit.

Next Rnd: P8 (9, 10, 11) (12, 13, 14, 15), knit to 8 (9, 10, 11) (12, 13, 14, 15) sts before marker, purl to marker, sm, p8 (9, 10, 11) (12, 13, 14, 15), knit to 8 (9, 10, 11) (12, 13, 14, 15) sts before end of rnd, purl to end.

Next Rnd: Knit.

Shape Hips

Inc Rnd: *K1, M1L, knit to 1 st before side marker, M1R, k1, sm; rep from *.  4 sts inc’d.

Working in St st, rep Inc Rnd every 11 (11, 12, 11) (11, 12, 15, 23) rnds 10 (11, 10, 10) (11, 10, 7, 5) more times (220 (246, 264, 286) (312, 330, 340, 354) sts.)

Sizes XS (–, –, L) (–, –, 3X, –) ONLY: Work 10 (–, –, 10) (–, –, 14, –) rnds.

Inc Rnd:  *Knit to marker, rm, M1L; rep from * (222 (–, –, 288, –, –, 342, –) sts.)

ALL SIZES RESUME

Work even until piece measures 20”/50cm from bottom of underarm or 7”/17.5cm shorter than desired length.  NOTE – Measure length with weight of piece hanging from needles, keeping in mind that hem will add extra weight.  NOTE – armhole and neckline will tighten up during finishing.

Join Hem

Hold double layered hem parallel to dress with WS held together.  BO all sts of both layers using Three-Needle Bind off.  Cut yarn, leaving a 6”/15 cm tail.

Finishing

Armholes (work both the same)

Begin at center of right underarm and pick up and knit  6 (7, 8, 9) (10, 11, 12, 13) sts to end of underarm, 36 (38, 41, 43) (45, 48, 50, 53) sts to top of shoulder, 36 (38, 41, 43) (45, 48, 50, 53) sts to beginning of underarm,  6 (7, 8, 9) (10, 11, 12, 13) sts to end, pm, join in the rnd (84 (90, 98, 104) (110, 118, 124, 132) sts.)

Rnd 1:  Purl.

Rnd 2:  BO all sts purlwise.

Neck

Begin at top of left shoulder and pick up and knit 38 (38, 40, 40) (40, 40, 42, 42) sts to beginning of front neck, 12 (15, 16, 15) (16, 15, 16, 17) sts across front center neck, 38 (38, 40, 40) (40, 40, 42, 42) sts to top of shoulder, 10 sts to beginning of back neck, 38 (41, 42, 43) (44, 45, 46, 47) sts back, 10 sts to end, pm, join in the rnd (146 (152, 158, 158) (160, 160, 166, 168) sts.)

Rnd 1: Purl.

Rnd 2: Knit.

Rnd 3: Purl.

Rnd 4: BO all sts purlwise.

Finishing

Next Rnd: Weave in ends.  Weave in ends near shoulder by working in ends horizontally across most of width of shoulder strap at join, to help reinforce.  Block to measurements in schematic.