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The Easy Street Tank is a beginner knit pattern perfect for summer. Like all the Easy Street designs, it's easy enough for newer knitters, and a full video tutorial is included. Seamless and worked top-down, you can try the tank on as you go to ensure a fit you will love and reach for season after season.

If you have been looking for a free knit summer tank top pattern that is easy enough for beginners but stylish enough to actually wear, the Easy Street Tank is it.

This seamless, top down knitting pattern works up into a breathable, versatile tank you will reach for all summer long.

DESCRIPTION

The Easy Street Tank begins working flat in rows using knit and purl stitches to shape the back of the tank. The stitches are then placed on hold, and stitches are picked up for the Right Front Strap and Left Front Strap.

The Right Front Strap and Left Front Strap are worked and joined at the neck, and then the underarm increases are done on both sides.

Once the required stitches are made for the body, the Back and Front are joined and the tank begins to be worked in the round.

The body of the tank is worked down to the hem and then a twisted rib stitch is worked for the hem.

To complete the tee, stitches are picked up around the neckline and armholes and worked in a 1×1 twisted rib, creating the polished collar that gives the Easy Street Tank its signature look.

What makes the Easy Street Tank special?

The Easy Street Tank is part of the Easy Street Line, designed with a flattering not-too-wide collar and a silhouette that works for everybody.

Because it is worked top down, you can try it on as you go to ensure the perfect fit before you ever bind off.

No seams, no guesswork. Just a polished, wearable result.

You can check out the other Easy Street free knit patterns HERE.

YARN

The yarn used for the Easy Street Tank is Lion Brand Cotton Hemp yarn.

Lion Brand Cotton Hemp is a worsted weight yarn made up of 70% cotton and 30% hemp, making it a great choice for light, breathable projects with incredible drape.

Each skein contains 164 yards/150 meters and weighs 3.5 oz/100 grams.

The plant based blend balances the breathability of cotton with the texture of hemp, creating lightweight pieces that feel easy, earthy, and effortlessly wearable.

Best of all, it is easy-to-care for because it is machine washable and lay flat to dry.

If you want to stay up to date on yarn sales and when to get a good price, join my newsletter where I’ll clue you in on when there is a good sale. I love a good sale, so I want gate keep. But I also won’t spam you.

DIFFICULTY

The Easy Street Tank is considered a Level 1 – Beginner pattern.

This pattern uses knit, purl, and stockinette stitch for the pattern, so simple stitches are used.

Make 1 Left and Make 1 Right are used for the increases, and a twisted rib stitch is used for the finishing.

There is a full video tutorial included, so if you need to watch part of the pattern, you can view that HERE.

FAQ

Is this pattern good for beginners?

Yes, this beginner knit tee pattern is good for beginners.

Can I use a different yarn?

Yes, but the gauge of the tank may be affected, so do a gauge swatch so you can meet gauge.

My favorite website to use to find good yarn substations is https://yarnsub.com/

What if my gauge is off?

Too many stitches in a 4″x4″ swatch?

→ The fabric is too tight, so you need to go up a needle size.

Too few stitches in a 4″ x 4″ swatch?

→ The fabric is too loose, so you need to go down a needle size.

Can I sell items from this knit pattern?

Yes.

MATERIALS

Lion Brand Yarn Cotton Hemp, weight 4 (70% cotton, 30% hemp, 164 yds/100 g)
- 395 (445, 495, 545, 595, 645, 695, 745, 795) yds/ 3 (3, 4, 4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 5) balls) – “Maple” (774-133AX)
US 6/4.0 mm circular knitting needles, 40”/100 cm long
US 4/3.5 mm circular knitting needles, 16”/60 cm long
Stitch Holders or Waste Yarn
Stitch Markers
Tape Measure
Scissors
Tapestry Needle

GAUGE

Stockinette Gauge (when blocked)

18 sts x 26 rnds = 4”/10 cm with US 6/4.0 mm needles

Twisted Ribbing Gauge (when blocked)

18 sts x 26 rnds = 4”/10 cm with US 4/3.5 mm needles

SIZE

9 sizes: XS (S, M, L, XL, 2X, 3X, 4X, and 5X)

TERMINOLOGY

BO – bind off

BOR – beginning of round

CO – cast on

k – knit

M1L – make one left

M1R – make one right

p – purl

pu – pick up

rep – repeat

rnd(s) – round(s)

RS – right side

st(s) – stitch(es)

tbl – through the back loop

WS – wrong side

NOTES

Pattern is written for 9 sizes: XS (S, M, L, XL, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X). Highlight your size throughout the pattern for ease of reading.
When reading pattern, if a size is marked by “-”, that means do not do the instruction for your size.
Model is 5’7”/170 cm & is wearing size Medium with a 38”/96.5 cm bust & 1″ (2.5 cm) of positive ease.

Left Strap and Right Strap refers to when the tank is worn.
Tank is worked top down starting with the back neck in rows, working the underarm increases, and putting the back stitches on hold. The right/left straps are worked, joining the front, working the underarm increases, and joining the front to the back in the round. The Main Body is worked in the round and a twisted 1×1 ribbing is added at the hem with smaller needles.
Stitches are picked up at the collar and worked in a twisted 1×1 ribbing with smaller needles. The armholes are finished with a twisted 1×1 ribbing with smaller needles as well.
Place sts on waste yarn or stitch holder to try on tank as you go to check fit and length.

SPECIAL STITCHES

Twisted Rib Stitch –

*Insert needle through tbl of next st and knit it. Purl the next st as normal. Repeat from *.

Backwards Loop Method CO –

Holding yarn in left hand, pass the working yarn around your thumb from back to front, slip the needle under the loop around your thumb, and pull thumb out. St created.

Increase Sts:

M1L –

Pick up the strand between the 2 sts with the left needle from the front to the back
Knit through the back loop

M1R – watch video HERE

Pick up the strand between the 2 sts with the left needle from the back to the front
Insert the tip of the right needle knitwise into the front leg of the strand and knit as usual

SKILL LEVEL

Level 1 – Beginner

AD-FREE PREMIUM PDF

Check out my shops if you want to get the concise, ad-free, printable pattern. I have three different shops you can purchase it from or you can purchase the Lion Brand Yarn kit that includes all the yarn needed + the free pattern.

Best part about Lion Brand Yarn kits is that you do not have to choose the colors I used for the design.

You can customize the yarn colors to what you like best!

Easy Street Tank

FREE KNIT TANK PATTERN

Back

Using US 6/4.0 mm needles and the Long Tail Cast On, CO 42 (44, 46, 48, 50, 54, 54, 58, 60), do not join.

Row 1 (RS): k [42 (44, 46, 48, 50, 54, 54, 58, 60) sts]

Row 2 (WS): p

Rows 3-36: rep Rows 1-2

Back Underarm Increases

Using US 6/4.0 mm needles,

Sizes XS, S, M, L, XL, 2X, and 3X:

Row 1 (RS): k1, M1L, k to 1 st before end of row, M1R, k1 (44 sts)

Row 2 (WS): p

Row 3: k

Row 4: p

Rows 5-30: rep Rows 1-4, ending with Row 2 (58 sts)

Put sts on hold.

Size S:

Row 1 (RS): k1, M1L, k to 1 st before end of row, M1R, k1 (46 sts)

Row 2 (WS): p

Row 3: k

Row 4: p

Rows 5-12: rep Rows 1-4 (50 sts)

Rows 13-30: rep Rows 1-2 (68 sts)

Put sts on hold.

Size M:

Row 1 (RS): k1, M1L, k to 1 st before end of row, M1R, k1 (48 sts)

Row 2 (WS): p

Rows 3-30: rep Rows 1-2 (76 sts)

Put sts on hold.

Size L:

Row 1 (RS): k1, M1L, k to 1 st before end of row, M1R, k1 (50 sts)

Row 2 (WS): p

Rows 3-24: rep Rows 1-2 (72 sts)

Row 25: k1, M1L, k1, M1L, to 2 sts before end of row, M1R, k1, M1R, k1 (76 sts)

Row 26: p

Rows 27-30: rep Rows 25-26 (84 sts)

Put sts on hold.

Size XL:

Row 1 (RS): k1, M1L, k to 1 st before end of row, M1R, k1 (52 sts)

Row 2 (WS): p

Rows 3-16: rep Rows 1-2 (66 sts)

Row 17: k1, M1L, k1, M1L, to 2 sts before end of row, M1R, k1, M1R, k1 (70 sts)

Row 18: p

Rows 19-30: rep Rows 17-18 (94 sts)

Put sts on hold.

Size 2X:

Row 1 (RS): k1, M1L, k to 1 st before end of row, M1R, k1 (56 sts)

Row 2 (WS): p

Rows 3-12: rep Rows 1-2 (66 sts)

Row 13: k1, M1L, k1, M1L, to 2 sts before end of row, M1R, k1, M1R, k1 (70 sts)

Row 14: p

Rows 15-30: rep Rows 13-14 (102 sts)

Put sts on hold.

Size 3X:

Row 1 (RS): k1, M1L, k to 1 st before end of row, M1R, k1 (56 sts)

Row 2 (WS): p

Rows 3-4: rep Rows 1-2 (58 sts)

Row 5: k1, M1L, k1, M1L, k to 2 sts before end of row, M1R, k1, M1R, k1 (62 sts)

Row 6: p

Rows 7-30: rep Rows 5-6 (110 sts)

Put sts on hold.

Size 4X:

Row 1 (RS): k1, M1L, k1, M1L, k to 2 sts before end of row, M1R, k1, M1R, k1 (62 sts)

Row 2 (WS): p

Rows 3-28: rep Rows 1-2 (114 sts)

Row 29: k1, M1L, k1, M1L, k1, M1L, k to 3 sts before end of row, M1R, k1, M1R, k1, M1R, k1 (120 sts)

Row 30: p

Put sts on hold.

Size 5X:

Row 1 (RS): k1, M1L, k1, M1L, k to 2 sts before end of row, M1R, k1, M1R, k1 (64 sts)

Row 2 (WS): p

Rows 3-22 rep Rows 1-2 (104 sts)

Row 23: k1, M1L, k1, M1L, k1, M1L, k to 3 sts before end of row, M1R, k1, M1R, k1, M1R, k1 (110 sts)

Row 24: p

Rows 25-30: rep Rows 23-24 (128 sts)

Put sts on hold.

More free easy knit patterns:

Easy Street Tee

Easy Roll Tee

Cordelia Tie Vest

Left Front Strap

With RS facing up, pick up 5 (5, 5, 7, 7, 7, 9, 9, 9) sts from the left onto US 6/4.0 mm needles,

Row 1 (WS): p [5 (5, 5, 7, 7, 7, 9, 9, 9) sts]

Row 2: k

Rows 3-15: rep Rows 1-2

Left Front Neckline Increases

Using US 6/4.0 mm needles,

Row 1 (RS): k1, M1L, k to end [6 (6, 6, 8, 8, 8, 10, 10, 10) sts]

Row 2 (WS): p

Rows 3-22: rep Rows 1-2 [16 (16, 16, 18, 18, 18, 20, 20, 20) sts]

Put sts on hold.

Right Front Strap

Place 5 (5, 5, 7, 7, 7, 9, 9, 9) sts onto US 6/4.0 mm needles leaving rest unworked,

Row 1 (WS): p [5 (5, 5, 7, 7, 7, 9, 9, 9) sts]

Row 2: k

Rows 3-15: rep Rows 1-2

Right Front Neckline Increases

Using US 6/4.0 mm needles,

Row 1 (RS): k to 1 st before end of row, M1R, k1 [6 (6, 6, 8, 8, 8, 10, 10, 10) sts]

Row 2 (WS): p

Rows 3-22: rep Rows 1-2 [16 (16, 16, 18, 18, 18, 20, 20, 20) sts]

Front Underarm Increases

You will now joining the Right Front to the Left Front and doing the underarm increases. Place Left Front sts back onto US 6/4.0 mm needle,

Row 1 (RS): *k1, M1L, rep from * 0 (0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 1) times, k to end of Right Front, using the Backwards Loop CO, CO 10 (12, 14, 12, 14, 18, 14, 18, 20), k into Left Front, k to 1 (1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2) st(s) before end of Left Front, *M1R, k1, rep from * 0 (0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 1) times [44 (46, 48, 50, 52, 56, 56, 62, 66) sts]

Rows 2-30: follow Rows 2-30 of Back Underarm Increases section

Main Body

Place Back sts onto US 6/4.0 mm needles, you will now be joining the Front to the Back,

Rnd 1 (RS): k to end of Front, using the Backwards Loop CO, CO 12 (11, 12, 13, 12, 12, 13, 12, 13), place BOR st marker, k across Back, using the Backwards Loop CO, CO 12 (11, 12, 13, 12, 12, 13, 12, 13), k to end [140 (158, 176, 194, 212, 228, 246, 264, 282) sts]

Rnd 2: k

Rep Rnd 2 until work measures 19.5”/48.5 cm

Hem

Using US 4/3.5 mm needles,

Rnd 1 (RS): *k1tbl, p1, rep from *

Rnds 2-5: rep Rnd 1

BO.

Collar

Using US 4/3.5 mm needles, starting at back of neck, pu 90 (94, 98, 94, 98, 106, 102, 106, 110) sts or 1 st in every st along the back of neck 32 (34, 36, 34, 36, 40, 38, 40, 42) and front of neck 10 (12, 14, 12, 14, 18, 16, 18, 20), approximately 3 sts for every 4 sts along straight side edges (12),and (12) sts along slanting front sts. Join in the rnd.

Rnd 1 (RS): *k1tbl, p1, rep from * [90 (94, 98, 94, 98, 106, 102, 106, 110) sts]

Rnds 2-5: rep Rnd 1

BO as st presents.

Break yarn.

Arm Finishing

Sizes XS, S, M, L and XL:

Using US 4/3.5 mm needles, starting at underarm, pu 98 (98, 100, 100, 104, -, -, -, -) sts or 12 sts along the underarm (size S pick up one extra st and size L pick up one less st along underarm), 16 (16, 17, 17, 19, -, -, -, -) sts along slanting row ends, and approximately 3 sts for every 4 sts along straight side edges (27 sts). Join in the rnd.

Rnd 1 (RS): *k1tbl, p1, rep from * [98 (98, 100, 100, 104, -, -, -, -) sts]

Rnds 2-6: rep Rnd 1

BO as st presents.

Break yarn.

Rep on second arm.

Weave in ends and block project.

Sizes 2X, 3X, 4X, and 5X:

Using US 4/3.5 mm needles, starting at underarm, pu – (-, -, -, -, 104, 110, 114, 120) sts or 12 sts along the underarm (sizes 3X, and 5X pick up one less st along underarm), – (-, -, -, -, 22, 25, 27, 30) sts sts along slanting row ends, and approximately 1 sts for every 2 sts along straight side edges (24 sts). Join in the rnd.

Rnd 1 (RS): *k1tbl, p1, rep from * [- (-, -, -, -, 104, 110, 114, 120) sts]

Rnds 2-6: rep Rnd 1

BO as st presents.

Break yarn.

Rep on second arm.

Weave in ends and block project.

Key Word: easy tank

And that’s how you make the Easy Street Tank!

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

Cozy Nooks Designs

Rachel Alford from Cozy Nooks Designs was on the PBS TV show Knit and Crochet Now! season 13. She also designs for Lion Brand Yarn, has been in several crochet/knit magazines, and freelances by filming videos for Annie’s online episodes. Be sure to check out her YouTube Channel for tips, tricks, & tutorials!