Flying Buttress Tank

Flying Buttress Tank by Andrea Rangel

What is Being Made

The Flying Buttress Tank is a fitted sleeveless top designed to be worn with negative ease, meaning you should select a size 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) smaller than your actual bust circumference for an intentionally close fit. This intermediate-level knitting project creates a racerback-style tank with a halter front, combining structure and visual interest through strategic pattern placement and construction techniques.

Construction Method and Techniques

This tank is worked bottom-up, beginning with a provisional cast-on that allows for seamless finishing at the lower edge. The body is knitted in the round from the cast-on edge up to the armholes, creating a seamless cylindrical base. Once the armholes are reached, the construction shifts to working back and forth in rows.

The racerback and front straps are worked separately in flat rows, then the two front straps are grafted together to form a unified halter neckline. This grafted seam creates an invisible join, maintaining the visual continuity of the pattern. The front halter is then sewn to the top of the racerback, completing the shoulder and neckline architecture.

When working flat sections, the pattern requires slipping the first stitch of every row (as if to knit with yarn in back on right-side rows, and as if to purl with yarn in front on wrong-side rows) and working the last stitch in Stockinette stitch. This edge treatment creates a neat, finished selvage suitable for seaming.

Stitch Pattern

The dragon scale pattern is maintained throughout the entire garment, providing visual texture and interest. This stitch pattern is worked consistently across the in-the-round sections and the flat sections. The pattern notes specify that if there are insufficient stitches to work a paired increase with its corresponding decrease (or vice versa), those stitches should be worked in Stockinette stitch instead, ensuring the garment remains structurally sound while prioritizing the primary pattern where possible.

Finished Measurements

The Flying Buttress Tank is available in seven sizes with the following bust circumferences:

• 26 inches (66 cm)
• 29 inches
• 32.75 inches
• 35.75 inches
• 39.5 inches
• 42.75 inches
• 49.5 inches

Materials and Tools

This project requires yarn suitable for knitting and circular needles for working in the round, as well as straight needles or the appropriate needle size for working the flat sections. A tapestry needle is needed for grafting the front straps and sewing the halter to the racerback. The specific yarn weight and needle size are detailed in the full pattern PDF.

Difficulty Level

Rated as intermediate, the Flying Buttress Tank is appropriate for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to tackle more complex construction techniques. The combination of in-the-round knitting, flat sections, grafting, and pattern maintenance requires attention to detail and familiarity with multiple knitting methods, making it an engaging project for experienced beginners or intermediate crafters.