Cool Beans Tank

Cool Beans Tank by Michelle Ferguson

What is Being Made

The Cool Beans Tank is a sleeveless crochet garment designed as a fitted tank top with a contemporary aesthetic. This project is available in five sizes ranging from X-Small (28-30" bust) through X-Large (44-46" bust), accommodating a wide range of body types. The design incorporates approximately 3" of ease for comfortable wear, making it suitable for layering or wearing as a standalone summer piece.

Crochet Techniques and Construction

This intermediate-level crochet project employs foundational shaping and stitch techniques to create a tailored garment. The pattern utilizes foundation single crochet (fsc) as the starting method, which creates a stable, professional base for the tank's construction. The body of the garment is built using a variation of fundamental crochet stitches, allowing crafters to develop their skills in garment shaping and fitting.

The design demonstrates proper gauge management, with a specified gauge of 14 foundation single crochet stitches equaling 4 inches, and approximately 5 rounds in the garment measuring 2 inches. Understanding and achieving proper gauge is essential for creating a tank that fits correctly across all five size options.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch featured in this pattern is the bean stitch, a decorative and textured stitch that adds visual interest to the finished garment. The bean stitch is created by inserting the hook into a stitch, yarning over and drawing up a loop, then repeating this process multiple times into the same stitch location before pulling through all loops at once. This technique creates a dimensional, bumpy texture characteristic of bean stitch work.

Additional foundational stitches used include chain (ch) stitches for construction and shaping. These basic crochet abbreviations form the vocabulary of the pattern, making it accessible to intermediate-level crocheters who are comfortable with standard crochet notation.

Materials and Yarn Requirements

The Cool Beans Tank requires 550 to 1100 yards of light worsted weight cotton yarn for the main color, depending on which size is being made. The pattern was photographed using Hobby Lobby I Love This Cotton, a readily available commercial yarn that demonstrates the intended drape and appearance of the finished piece. Cotton yarn is an excellent choice for tank tops, offering breathability and a smooth finish ideal for warm-weather garments.

Crafters will also need less than 100 yards of contrasting color light worsted weight yarn for accent details, allowing for creative color combinations and personalization. An H crochet hook (or the appropriate hook size needed to obtain the specified gauge) is required for construction. Additional materials include scissors for cutting yarn and a darning needle for weaving in ends, which is essential for finishing the garment neatly.

Skill Level and Pattern Format

While labeled as intermediate difficulty, the Cool Beans Tank is described as "Easy" in the pattern notes, making it an accessible project for crocheters with basic stitch knowledge who are ready to tackle garment construction. The pattern is provided as a downloadable PDF, allowing crafters to access instructions digitally and print them as needed. This format makes it convenient for following along while working on the project.