Tank Tops in King Cole Wool Aran - 5958 - Downloadable PDF

King Cole 5958: Ladies Round Neck and V-Neck Tank Tops Knitted in Aran Weight Yarn

King Cole pattern 5958 is a knitting pattern for ladies' tank tops available in both a round neck and a V-neck design. These sleeveless garments are knitted in King Cole Aran weight yarn and are sized to fit bust measurements from 81 cm to 127 cm (32 in to 50 in), making them accessible across a wide range of sizes. The pattern is rated as intermediate in difficulty, making it well suited to knitters who have moved beyond the basics and are comfortable working with cable techniques and shaping.

What Is Being Made

The pattern produces two classic wardrobe staples: a ladies' round neck tank top and a ladies' V-neck tank top, both worked in a textured aran-style fabric. Tank tops of this style are sleeveless, making them versatile layering pieces suitable for wearing over shirts or blouses, or on their own during warmer months. The structured aran fabric gives each design a timeless, traditional feel while remaining practical and wearable.

Techniques Used

• Cable knitting — the pattern features special cable abbreviations including C3B, C3F, and C4B, which involve slipping stitches onto a cable needle and holding them at the back or front of the work before knitting, creating the characteristic twisted rope and cross textures associated with aran knitting.
• Shaping — both the round neck and V-neck versions require decreasing and shaping techniques to form the armholes and necklines, giving each garment a fitted, tailored silhouette.
• Tension management — the pattern emphasises the importance of achieving the correct tension before beginning, instructing knitters to adjust needle size as needed to match the stated gauge.
• Right side and wrong side working — the pattern distinguishes between RS (right side) and WS (wrong side) rows, which is typical of structured garment construction.
• Reversed stocking stitch — referenced in the abbreviations, this technique involves working with the purl side as the visible face of the fabric, adding textural contrast to the design.

Stitches Used

• Knit (k) and purl (p) — the foundational stitches used throughout the pattern.
• Stocking stitch — a smooth, classic fabric formed by alternating knit and purl rows.
• Reversed stocking stitch — the purl side used as the right side, creating a textured, bumpy surface often used as a background in aran designs.
• Cable stitches — including C3B (slip 1 stitch to cable needle held at back, knit 2, then knit 1 from cable needle), C3F (slip 2 stitches to cable needle held at front, knit 1, then knit 2 from cable needle), and C4B, all of which create the decorative cable panels characteristic of aran knitting.
• Decrease stitches — worked as tog (knitting or purling two stitches together) to shape the armholes and necklines.

Materials and Needles

The pattern is designed to be knitted in King Cole Aran weight yarn, a medium-to-heavy weight yarn that produces a beautifully defined stitch definition, ideal for showcasing cable work. The recommended needle size is 5 mm, which achieves the stated tension of 18 stitches and 25 rows to 10 cm (4 inches) over alternating reversed stocking stitch. Knitters are advised to check their tension swatch carefully and adjust needle size accordingly — using thinner needles if fewer stitches are achieved, or thicker needles if more stitches result. A cable needle (CN) is also required for working the cable stitch patterns throughout both designs.

Pattern Format and Charitable Giving

King Cole pattern 5958 is available as a downloadable PDF, allowing instant access after purchase. Notably, King Cole donates to the Pink Ribbon Foundation