The Red Sky at Night Tank is a fitted, sleeveless layer designed to complement the matching cardigan or stand confidently on its own. Knit in the same lightweight yarn, it features subtle lace detailing and a clean finish at the neckline and hem. Inspired by the timeless mariner’s adage, “Red sky at night, sailor’s delight,” this top channels that same sense of effortless ease and evening charm. Ideal for warm days and golden hour outings, it brings a refined touch to summer dressing—easy to tuck into high-waisted trousers or pair with skirts and shorts. Whether styled with the cardigan for a matching set or worn solo, it’s a versatile piece that transitions seamlessly from day to night.
Time: 15-20-hour pattern.
Skill Level: Intermediate.
Sizes written as XS (S, M, L, XL): Finished Bust Size 30 (34, 38, 42, 46)” to fit bust 30 (34, 38, 42, 46)”.
0-1” negative ease recommended.
Shown in size M.
Gauge: 23 sts and 33 rows = 4” [10 cm] in st st after wet blocking.
Materials
Yarn: Berroco Modern Cotton DK (60% Pima Cotton, 40% Modal Rayon; 335 yards [306 meters]/100 g): 6697 PPAC (2 (2, 2, 2, 3) balls).
Needles: US size 4 / 3.5 mm circular needles.
Notions: Scissors, tapestry needle, stitch marker.
Abbreviations
BOR: Beginning of Round
m: marker
rm: remove marker
sm: slip marker
Special Stitches
Lace Pattern (6-st repetitions, 8-rnd repetitions)
Rnd 1: *ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, k1, yo; rep from * to end.
Rnd 2 and all even rounds: knit to end.
Rnd 3: *sk2p, k1, (yo, k1) 2 times; rep from * to end.
Rnd 5: *yo, k1, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog; rep from * to end.
Rnd 7: *k1, (yo, k1) 2 times, sk2p; rep from * to end.
Rnd 8: knit to end.
Rep these 8 rnds to make pattern.
Pattern Notes
This top is made in the round from the bottom up to underarms; then the piece is divided for front and back, and finally joined at the shoulders.
Hem starts with the lace pattern, that continues as a 12-st panel in mid front and back in body.
When you BO, I suggest to sl the first st instead of knitting it.
Pattern
Body
CO 169 (193, 217, 241, 265) sts, join in the rnd, being careful not to twist the sts.
Sl first CO st from Left Hand Needle to Right Hand Needle, pass the last CO st over slipped st. Place beg of rnd (BOR) m (right flank of the Top). (168 (192, 216, 240, 264) sts)
Part 1
Rnds 1- 16 (16, 16, 24, 24): Work Lace Pattern rnds 2 (2, 2, 3, 3) times.
Part 2
Rnd 1: K34 (40, 46, 52, 58), pm, p2, work lace pattern sts 2 times (12 sts), pm, p2, k68 (80, 92, 104, 116), pm, p2, Rep lace pattern sts 2 times (12 sts), pm, p2, k to end.
Rnd 2 and all even rnds: [K to m, sm, p2] 4 times, k to end.
Rnds 3-8: Rep rnds [1-2], following lace pattern rnds.
Rep last 8 rnds 7 (7, 7, 7, 8) more times.
Note: If you want to adjust the final length of your piece, you can modify the number of rnds, ending in Rnd 4 or Rnd 8 of the lace pattern.
Divide Back and Front
BO 2 sts, k to m, rm, BO 14 sts, rm, BO 2 sts, k 32 (38, 44, 50, 56), BO 4 sts, k to m, rm, BO 14 sts, rm, BO 2 sts, k to BOR; remove BOR m. Place left front (32 (38, 44, 50, 56) sts), right back (32 (38, 44, 50, 56) sts), and left back (32 (38, 44, 50, 56) sts) on holder and leave right front sts on needle.
Front
Right Armhole and Neckline Shaping
Set-up Row (WS): BO 2 sts, p to last 2 sts, sl2 pwise wyif. 32 (38, 44, 50, 56) sts
Row 1 (RS): K2, p1, ssk, k to last 5 sts, k2tog, p1, sl2 pwise wyib. 30 (36, 42, 48, 54) sts
Row 2 (WS): P to last 2 sts, sl2 pwise wyif.
Rep last 2 rows 8 (10, 12, 15, 14) more times. (14 (16, 18, 18, 26) sts)
Right Neckline Shaping
Row 1 (RS): K2, p1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, p1, sl2 pwise wyib. (13 (15, 17, 17, 25) sts)
Row 2 (WS): P to last 2 sts, sl2 pwise wyif.
Rep last 2 rows 3 (3, 5, 5, 9) more times. (10 (12, 12, 12, 16) sts)
End Row 1: K2, p1, k to last 3 sts, p1, sl2 pwise wyib
End Row 2: P to last 2 sts, sl2 pwise wyif.
Rep last 2 rows 16 (16, 16, 16, 16) more times or as needed to achieve the desired strap length.
Left Armhole and Neckline Shaping
Place Left Front sts hold into needle.
Set-up Row (WS): P to last 2 sts, sl2 pwise wyif. (32 (38, 44, 50, 56) sts)
Row 1: K2, p1, ssk, k to last 5 sts, k2tog, p1, sl2 pwise wyib. (30 (36, 42, 48, 54) sts)
Row 2: P to last 2 sts, sl2 pwise wyif.
Rep last 2 rows 8 (10, 12, 15, 14) more times. (14 (16, 18, 18, 26) sts)
Left Neckline Shaping
Row 1 (RS): K2, p1, k to last 5 sts, k2tog, p1, sl2 pwise wyib. (13 (15, 17, 17, 25) sts)
Row 2 (WS): P to last 2 sts, sl2 pwise wyif.
Rep last 2 rows 3 (3, 5, 5, 9) more times. (10 (12, 12, 12, 16) sts)
End Row 1: K2, p1, k to last 3 sts, p1, sl2 pwise wyib
End Row 2: P to last 2 sts, sl2 pwise wyif.
Rep last 2 rows 16 (16, 16, 16, 16) more times as needed to achieve the desired strap length.
Back
Place Back sts hold into needle.
Left Armhole and Neckline Shaping
Set-up Row (WS):P to last 2 sts, sl2 pwise wyif. (32 (38, 44, 50, 56) sts)
Row 1 (RS): K2, p1, ssk, k to last 5 sts, k2tog, p1, sl2 pwise wyib. (30 (36, 42, 48, 54) sts)
Row 2 (WS): P to last 2 sts, sl2 pwise wyif.
Rep last 2 rows 8 (10, 12, 15, 14) more times. (14 (16, 18, 18, 26) sts)
Left Neckline Shaping
As Front Right Neckline Shaping
Right Armhole and Neckline Shaping
As Front Left Armhole and Neckline Shaping
Right Neckline Shaping
As Front Left Neckline Shaping
Finishing
Sew straps using Kitchener st or any other technique of your choice.
Weave in ends. Wash and block to desired measurements.