DIY Network

Janis Tank Take a walk on the wild side with this corseted knit tank design from Share Ross. From "Knitty Gritty" episode DKNG-507

If you hate to sew knit pieces together, then the Janis Tank is the shirt to make!

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This sexy knit tank design by Share Ross was inspired by hard rocker Janis Joplin.

Watch out, because the gorgeous, fitted shape of this piece will turn heads wherever you go. It knits up fast and basically just uses ribbing to give it some elasticity and uses lacing up the sides and front to allow for a fast finish. In honor of Janis Joplin for her wild sensuality and spontaneous style.

Designer's Note
When you drop a stitch in this piece, don't panic! You are supposed to do that. You may even have to help the ladder all the way down. Enjoy. Most patterns will tell you how to rescue a dropped stitch. This time, we want it!

Materials:
yarn
  Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran - 2 balls Black (#300)
  Lana Grossa Viele Pink or Berroco Zen - 1 ball
Alternates:
Rowan handknit dk cotton - 2 balls
Berroco Zen Colors - 1 ball
needles - U.S. 10.5 (6.5mm)

The key here is to use an aran-weight yarn or a DK-weight yarn mixed with a lightweight, carry-along ribbon yarn. Try your own combinations!

For Laces:
R2 rag yarn, or a wide 100-percent cotton ribbon yarn or rip up an old t-shirt and use that

Gauge: between 16-20 sts = 4"
Since the shirt is stretchy, you can control the snugness. Remember, the dropped stitches will add an inch to each side.

*Designer note on gauge: I've used Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran, Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino and Rowan Handknit DK Cotton. They all fit me but have slightly different gauges. The cotton tends to be the loosest since it has the least elasticity.

Make two front pieces and one back piece.

Figure A

Front Pieces (make two):
CO 24 sts.
K2, P2 until solid 10 inches (figure A).

Figure B

Shape Armhole:
Cast off 1st stitch, drop next stitch all the way down (figure B), cast off next 2 stitches and knit in pattern to end of the row. (20 sts)

Next row: Knit in pattern.

Figure C

Next row: Cast off first two stitches and knit in pattern to end of row (Figure C). (18 sts)

Neck Shaping at Same Time
Next row: Cast off 1st stitch, drop next stitch all the way own, cast off next two stitches and knit in pattern to end of row. (14 sts.)

Cast off 2 stitches beg of each row until 6 sts left.

Figure D

Straps:
*The straps are stockinette (figure D) which gives them a little roll. If you prefer them without the roll, just use a garter stitch. *

Row 1: k
Row 2: p
Row 3: k
Row 4: p
Row 5: k2 tog k2 k2tog (4 sts)
Row 6: p
Row 7 and 8 repeat 1 and 2 until 11" long.

Increases to straps:
K1, m1, K2, m1 K1. (6 sts)
Purl row.
4 more rows st st.
Cast off.

Sew onto inside of back of tank 2-1/2 inches in from side (or wherever it works best for your bra strap).

Figure E

Back: (figure E)
CO 48 sts.

Knit in K2, P2 rib to 10 inches.
C/o 1 then drop. C/o til 2 stitches left. drop next stitch and cast off rem st.

Figure F

Laces:
Lace up the sides from the top down (figure F). Lace up the front from the bottom up.

RESOURCES :
yarn

GUESTS :

Share Ross
Musician/knitter
Website: www.punkknits.com