Isla Tank Top

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Hi there, friends!

Just in time for summer, I’ve got the perfect breezy top to keep you cool when those temps soar…the Isla Tank Top!

One thing about these meds I’m on to keep the cancer away is that they force me into early menopause, complete with hot flashes. Needless to say, summers have been extra toasty around these parts and I knew that this summer I wanted something to keep me cool.

Enter RaeLynn of Itchin’ For Some Stitchin’ and Hannah of HanJan Crochet and the Summer Designer’s Pick Blog Hop! WeCrochet sponsored the whole event and I knew that their KnitPicks Shine Sport would be PERFECT for this project!

The Stitches

I don’t know if you’ve seen my last two patterns, but I’ve been kind of OBSESSED with the iris stitch. For this top, I wanted to use that stitch, but in an open and airy way, so I alternated iris stitch with double crochets and chain spaces to give it that open stitchwork. But I also wanted some structure, so I opted to break up the sections of iris stitch with granite stitch (aka moss stitch or linen stitch).

The Yarn

Summer means cotton, and that cotton helps with the overall structure of the garment as well. KnitPicks Shine Sport, a CYC 2 sport weight yarn with its range of beautiful colors would be perfect for this project! The hardest part was choosing a color!

Summer Designer’s Pick Blog Hop

This design was previously featured as part of the Summer Designer’s Pick blog hop hosted by RaeLynn of Itchin’ For Some Stitchin’ and Hannah of HanJan Crochet. While this event has ended, the round up pages linking to designers’ pages (and the free online versions of these patterns if available) are still active, as is the pattern bundle if you are interested in all the patterns at a reduced rate in a PDF format. See those links below.

Summer Vibes Blog Hop

Looking for more summer makes? This design will be featured in Fosbas Designs’ Summer Vibes Blog Hop, going on from July 1st – 31st, 2023. The round up post contains all the details you need to get a free PDF pattern each day of the event. And if you’ve missed out or don’t feel like a daily check-in, there’s a pattern bundle available for this event as well! However, this bundle is limited time only, so don’t wait! Looking for the free Isla Tank pattern? Scroll down to find the special graphic, then click it. Don’t forget to grab the coupon code from Susanna’s round up first!

Isla Tank Top Crochet Pattern

by Hooks, Books, & Wanderlust

Please note that this free version is written for a Women’s Size Large Tank Top, which fits bust measurements of 40-42″ / 101.5-106.5 cm. This top is a boxy style meant to fit a bit loosely which is primarily achieved through the blocking process. For a looser or more fitted look, you’ll want to widen or reduce the width of your top respectively.

The pattern notes contain information helpful in adapting this to other sizes and lengths, OR you may purchase the PDF version of this pattern, which comes with three different length options – crop top, tank, and tunic – and is written for sizes XS – L (additional sizes pending pattern testing; if interested, please click here to apply to test for me!).

The PDF features the written pattern, all notes and helpful tips and tricks, full-color supplemental photos, step by step photo tutorials and linked video tutorials for all special stitches (Foundation Single Crochet, Granite Stitch, Iris Stitch, and Single Crochet Decrease), a consolidated pattern stripped down to just round instructions for more experienced crocheters, and a handy stitch chart and round tracker.

Materials List

• 8 skeins of KnitPicks Shine Sport, shown here in Grapefruit, or 800 yds / 750 m comparable CYC 2 sport weight cotton yarn
• 4mm / G crochet hook
• Locking stitch markers – WeCrochet offers lots of fun options here!
• Tapestry needle
• Scissors
• Blocking mats and pins – Check out WeCrochet’s selection of blocking tools!

Stitches & Abbreviations (US Terms)

• Chain (ch)
• Chain Space (ch sp)
• Skip (sk)
• Slip Stitch (sl st)
• Single Crochet (sc)
• Double Crochet (dc)
• Iris Stitch – find the tutorial here
• Foundation Single Crochet (FSC) – find the tutorial here
• Granite Stitch – find the tutorial here
• Single Crochet Decrease (sc2tog) – find the tutorial here

Finished Measurements

Women’s Size Large for bust measurements 40-42″ / 101.5-106.5 cm.

This top is a boxy style meant to fit a bit loosely which is primarily achieved through the blocking process. For a looser or more fitted look, you’ll want to widen or reduce the width of your top respectively.

Pre-Blocking Measurements*: 21.5″ wide x 23″ long (55 cm wide x 58.5 cm long)
After Blocking Measurements*: 22″ wide x 30″ long (56 cm wide x 76 cm long)

*laid flat, including straps

Gauge

4 iris + 3 (ch1, dc, ch1) = 5” / 12.7 cm Wide
1 iris + 1 (ch 1, dc, ch 1) = 1.5” / 3.8 cm Wide
Pattern repeat = 3.375” / 8.5 cm High
Pattern for gauge below

Pattern for Gauge

See photos and tips in corresponding rounds within the full pattern for help with swatch. Finished gauge swatch should measure 7” x 4” (17.8 cm x 10.2 cm)

R1: FSC 29 (alternately, size up your hook and chain 30, sc into the back bumpof the 2nd ch from hook and each chain across, then return to pattern hook size)
R2: ch 1, sc, *ch 1, sk 1, sc next, repeat from * across
R3: ch 1, sc 2, *ch 1, sk 1, sc next, repeat from * across, sc last
R4: ch 4 (counts as a dc+ch 1), sk 1, iris in ch-1 sp, *ch 1, dc in 2nd sc from hook, ch 1, iris in 2nd ch-1 sp from hook, repeat from * across, ch 1, sk 1, dc last
R5: ch 4 (counts as a dc+ch 1), *iris in ch-1 sp of iris below, ch 1, dc in dc below, ch 1, repeat from * across
R6-8: repeat R5
R9: ch 1, sc, sc in ch-1 sp, *sc2tog, sc in ch-1 sp, sc2tog, sc in ch-1sp, sc in dc, sc in ch-1 sp, repeat from * across, sc2tog, sc in ch-1 sp, sc2tog, sc in ch-1sp, sc in ch-3
R10: Rep R2
R11: Rep R3

Notes

• This pattern is written in US Standard terms and is classified as Advanced Beginner/Intermediate.
• Adjusting Width: alter for size or tension by increasing or decreasing foundation stitches in multiples of 12, or going up or down a hook size as needed.
• Adjusting Length: the length of this pattern can be altered by increasing or decreasing full pattern repeats or by adding or subtracting rounds of iris stitch within the pattern repeat in the body section (part 1).
• Photo tutorials for the Foundation Single Crochet, Granite Stitch, Iris Stitch, and the Single CrochetDecrease with supplemental video tutorials are linked above in the Stitches & Abbreviations section.
• Chain stitches at the beginning of rounds do not count as a stitch unless otherwise stated.
• Blocking is required to open up the stitches prior to use.
• If you’d prefer a convenient, printable PDF version of this pattern, written for 4 sizes (XS – L) with 3 length options (tank, tunic, and crop top), which includes in-document photo tutorials for all special stitches mentioned above (with links to video tutorials for each), as well as a helpful round tracker and a stitch chart for visual reference – available in the paid pattern only, visit my Etsy and Ravelry shops!

Pattern

This pattern is worked in multiples of 12. You can adjust for size or tension by increasing/decreasing the number of foundation chains accordingly or by going up/down a hook size. The garment will be worked in joined rounds from the bottom up, with the join becoming the left side seam of the garment. Chain stitches at the beginning of rounds do not count unless otherwise noted. Stitch counts are given in ( ) at the end of the round instructions.

Part 1: Body

The body of the garment includes the bottom border and 5 pattern repeats.

R1: FSC 180. Taking care not to twist your work, sl st to the first FSC to begin working in the round. (180)

NOTE: When you’re ready to weave in your ends, you will need to sew the bases of your first and last stitches of this round closed using the tail left from starting your work. Don’t worry, there’s a reminder later!

NOTE: Alternatively, you could chain 181 and single crochet into the back bump (if you don’t know what the back bump is, check out my video here) of the second chain from your hook and in each chain across. You may want to go up a hook size or two for your chain stitches if you choose this method so that it doesn’t pull your work.

R2 (Granite): Ch 2 (counts as a ch-1 sp), sk 1 (the first sc of the round below), sc next, *ch 1, sk 1, sc next, repeat from * around, join to the ch-1 sp at the beginning of the round to close. (90 sc, 90 ch-1 sp)

PRO TIP: Asterisks (*) indicate the series of stitches to repeat in succession as you work the round.

NOTE: You may consider sizing up your hook size for granite stitch sections if your work is pulling too tightly and you’re more than 1” (2 cm) under 21.5″ (55 cm).

NOTE: This is a modified start to working the granite stitch in the round. To jump to the tutorial, click here and scroll to “Modified Granite Stitch with a Chain Space Start.”

NOTE: When working granite stitch rounds, you’ll notice that due to the even number of stitches in the round, you will always end opposite of what you start the round with. For example, in R2 we start with a “chain,” so we will end with a single crochet as the last stitch of the round.

R3 (Granite): Ch 1, *sc in ch-1 sp, ch 1, repeat from * around, join to the sc at the beginning of the round to close. (90 sc, 90 ch-1 sp)

Begin Pattern Repeat

PRO TIP: The words “pattern repeat” refer to the block of rounds that are worked a specified number of times (in this case 5) to complete the bulk of a pattern. It’s the pattern within the pattern, so to speak. In this instance, rounds 4-11 make up the first pattern repeat. It’s still referred to as a pattern repeat even though we haven’t actually repeated anything yet.

R4 (Iris): Ch 4 (counts as a dc + ch 1), *iris in 2nd ch-1 sp from hook, ch 1, dc in 2nd sc from hook, ch 1, repeat from * around until 3 ch-1 sp remain, iris in 2nd ch-1 sp from hook, ch 1, join to the top of the ch-3 at the beginning of the round to close. (30 iris, 30 dc)

PRO TIP: When working your chain-4 at the beginning of this round, you may find it helpful to keep your 3rd chain a little looser than the others, as you will be working into this chain to close the round later. If you struggle with seeing your stitches, you might also consider placing a stitch marker in that 3rd chain to know where to work into later.

NOTE: To view the iris stitch tutorial, click here.

NOTE: If you’re feeling adventurous, you may consider using a standing double crochet for the dc at the beginning of this and similar rounds as I did here. Moogly blog has a great tutorial for it here. If you choose to go this method, substitute the standing double crochet + ch 1 for the chain 4 at the beginning of applicable rounds.

NOTE: Pay close attention to your stitches in this round, as it is quite easy to miss alternating stitches. See following photos. Iris stitches will always be worked into a ch-1 sp followed by a skipped (sc, ch-1 sp) from the round below, and dc stitches will always be worked into a sc followed by a skipped (ch-1, sc) from the round below.

R5 (Iris): Ch 4 (counts as a dc + ch 1), *iris in ch-1 sp of iris below, ch 1, dc in dc below, ch 1, repeat from * around until one iris remains, iris in ch-1 sp of the last iris from the previous row, ch 1, join to the top of the ch-3 at the beginning of the round to close. (30 iris, 30 dc)

R6-8 (Iris): Repeat R5. (30 iris, 30 dc)

R9: Ch 1, sc, sc in ch-1 sp, *sc2tog, sc in ch-1 sp, sc2tog, sc in ch-1 sp, sc in dc, sc in ch-1 sp, repeat from * around until last iris, sc2tog, sc in ch-1 sp, sc2tog, sc in ch-1 sp, join to the first sc of the round. (180)

NOTE: To see my tutorial for the sc2tog, click here.

R10 (Granite): Ch 2 (counts as a ch-1 sp), sk 1 (the first sc of the round below), sc next, *ch 1, sk 1, sc next, repeat from * around, join to the ch-1 sp at the beginning of the round to close. (90 sc, 90 ch-1 sp)

NOTE: This is a modified start to working the granite stitch in the round. To jump back to the tutorial, click here and scroll to “Modified Granite Stitch with a Chain Space Start.”

R11 (Granite): Ch 1, *sc in ch-1 sp, ch 1, repeat from * around, join to the sc at the beginning of the round to close. (90 sc, 90 ch-1 sp)

That completes the first pattern repeat!

R12-43: Continue repeating R4-R11 for a total of 5 repeats (that means 4 additional times). Do NOT tie off.

Part 2: Upper Body

The upper body section picks up after the last round of your final pattern repeat as indicated in the chart on the previous page. This section is made in its entirety using the granite stitch and the number of rows remains the same across all sizes and length options. As such, round numbers will start back over at 1 here to simplify reading this section.

R1 (Granite): Ch 2 (counts as a ch-1 sp), sk 1 (the first sc of the round below), sc next, *ch 1, sk 1, sc next, repeat from * around, join to the ch-1 sp at the beginning of the round to close. (90 sc, 90 ch-1 sp)

R2 (Granite): Ch 1, *sc in ch-1 sp, ch 1, repeat from * around, join to the sc at the beginning of the round to close. (90 sc, 90 ch-1 sp)

R3-10 (Granite): Repeat alternating R1 and R2. (90 sc, 90 ch-1 sp)

Tie off.

Part 3: Straps

The straps are made with the granite stitch worked in turned rows. The stitch count per row will be the same throughout this section (5 sc, 5 ch-1 sp).

Stitch markers are helpful in marking the placement of the first row of stitches for your straps. When you’ve finished your straps, use the stitch markers to secure the strap ends temporarily to the back of your top prior to sewing, allowing you to try your top on to ensure a good fit and placement. Keep in mind that the number of rows worked includes negative ease to account for stretching with wear, so don’t be alarmed if the top is snug in your underarm.

Depending on any modifications you have made, it’s possible that you’ll begin working your straps in either a chain space or a single crochet. Two different strap patterns (“Attach to Chain-1 Space” and “Attach to Single Crochet”) follow based on the type of stitch you attach to at stitch numbers E and G per the schematic and chart below.

No Modifications made to pattern

Place stitch markers at stitch numbers 22, 31, 60, 69, 112, 121, 150, and 159 (E, F, G, H, I, J, K, and L on the schematic above). This marks the placement your straps.

NOTE: I recommend trying your top on at this point to see how those stitch markers align with your body before you begin working your straps, that way you can shift them if needed.

Attach yarn at stitch number 22, which should be a ch-1 space, and proceed to the “Attach to Chain-1 Space” instructions below.

If You Made Modifications to Total R1 Stitches

The neck opening of the top is 28 stitches between the strap placements. You can adjust this as needed to suit a well-fitting strap placement, but for the purpose of this pattern/tutorial, we will be using 28 neck opening stitches.

Dividing your total number of stitches from R1 by 4, use stitch markers to mark the 4 quadrants of your top as shown in the schematic above labeled as A, B, C, and D. For this sample, my R1 stitch count was 180, making each quadrant 45 stitches, so I placed markers at stitch numbers 1, 46, 91, and 136 to mark those quadrants.

Next, from stitch number B, count 14 stitches to the right of your marker (NOT including stitch B) and place a new stitch marker in the 15th stitch, this will be stitch number F. In my example, B is stitch number 46, meaning F is stitch number 31. Then starting with the stitch to the right of your just-placed F marker, count another 9 stitches and place a marker in the 9th stitch, which will be stitch number E. In my example, E is stitch number 22. This marks the front placement of your left shoulder strap. Return to stitch number B and begin counting to the left of your marker (this time, DO include stitch number B in your counting) and repeat the above steps for stitch numbers G and H per the schematic above. In my example, G and H are stitch numbers 60 and 69, respectively.

Flip your top so that the back is facing you and repeat stitch marker placement from stitch number D to place markers at stitch numbers I, J, K, and L. In my example, D is stitch number 136, putting my I, J, K, and L at 112, 121, 150, and 159, respectively.

NOTE: I recommend trying your top on at this point to see how those stitch markers align with your body before you begin working your straps, that way you can shift them if needed.

If your stitch numbers E and G are ch-1 spaces, proceed to “Attach to Chain-1 Space.” If stitch numbers E and G are single crochets, then proceed to “Attach to Single Crochet.”

sewing

I recommend pinning your unattached strap ends into position per the chart above and trying your top on again at this point to check the fit and placement of the straps before sewing them to the back of your top. Also, keep in mind that the straps are intended to stretch when worn, and that has been taken into account in the number of rows worked. Don’t be alarmed if the side of the top is snug in your underarm, wear and the weight of the top will stretch this out.

Sew your left shoulder strap to the back of your top at stitch numbers 150 and 159 (K and L). Repeat for right shoulder strap at stitch numbers 112 and 121 (I and J). I used the mattress stitch (click for the full photo and video tutorial) technique to sew my straps. Weave in all ends, and don’t forget to sew the bases of your first and last stitches from BODY R1 closed!

Part 4: finishing touches

To give your top a more finished look and to help secure those straps even more, we will work a border around the neck and arm openings—that’s three different openings to border around.

If you’d like to add a couple of modesty rows to the neckline of your neck hole opening, work those rows first, securing the ends of the rows to the side of straps with a slip stitch, then move on to the border.

optional modesty rows

A: The needle indicates where to attach yarn
B: The first stitch in this example row is a ch 1
C: To continue with the granite stitch, the sc from the previous row is skipped and a sc is worked into the ch-1 sp
D: Granite stitch across until the end of the row. Example shows the last stitch is a sc.
E: Slip stitch to the strap to secure the end of the modesty row where the needle indicates.
F: Slip stitch up the strap to begin next modesty row secured to the strap.

border

When you’ve finished the number of desired modesty rows, do not tie off, instead, secure your final modesty row by working a sc2tog in the corner where the neckline meets the strap then continue working the granite stitch around the entire opening, using a sc2tog to turn the corners. Tie off and repeat border around arm openings.

If you opted out of the modesty rows, attach your yarn 2-3 chain spaces to the left of the back corner of the opening, then granite stitch around the opening. Turn corners by working a sc2tog as the last sc of the previous side and the first sc of the next side. Sl st to the first sc of the border to close.

PRO TIP: When you work border stitches on the sides of your straps, the key is consistency. It may work out on one side to work a single crochet into the mock chain-1 spaces and chain and skip the single crochets, but other sides might be reversed as you work around your openings. Regardless of where you place your stitch, do it the same way all the way across each side.

blocking

In order to open up the stitches of your top, blocking is crucial. There are several methods available, which you can learn all about in this helpful video by Hooked by Robin. WeCrochet has a bunch of great blocking tools! For various size foam boards, pins, and other tools, check them out here.

For this project, I prefer wet blocking (as opposed to spraying or steam blocking), in which you give your project a cold bath, gently squeeze the water out (don’t wring it or pull, as it will affect the shape), then roll it up into a towel to soak up as much more water as you can, then lay it out on your blocking boards. If you don’t have foam boards, lay it on top of a carpet or rug with a towel under it.

Gently stretch it into shape and pin it to hold the shape. I pinned from side to side, saving the top and bottom edges for last. This allowed me to focus my stretching on the width of my top, getting my tighter granite stitch rounds to open up as much as possible.

Whew! That was a lot, I know, but you did it!! Congratulations!! Garments are one of those things that are a labor of love, but the feeling of wearing something made by your own hand is pretty hard to beat.

This pattern is featured in the Summer Vibes Blog Hop! Today only, July 24, 2023, you can get a PDF version of this pattern for free. Use the links below to get the coupon code and the link to download on Ravelry.

I would LOVE to see your top! Should you choose to share, use the tags #IslaTankTop and / or #LaBelleVieForMe to share your makes with me @HooksBooksWanderlust on Instagram and / or Facebook!

I hope you enjoyed this pattern and found it easy to follow! If not, or if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask! Email me at HooksBooksAndWanderlust@gmail.com.

Happy crocheting!

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