Minnow Tank Top

Minnow Tank Top by Martin Storey

What Is Being Made

The Minnow Tank Top is a sleeveless baby garment designed by Martin Storey, featured in the collection Special Knits for Babies. This downloadable knitting pattern creates a fitted tank top suitable for infants ranging from newborn through 18 months of age, with five size options to accommodate growth stages from 0-3 months up to 12-18 months.

Finished Measurements

The tank top is tailored to fit the following chest measurements across the size range:

• 0-3 months: 51 cm (20 in) chest
• 3-6 months: 53 cm (21 in) chest
• 6-9 months: 55 cm (21½ in) chest
• 9-12 months: 58 cm (22¾ in) chest
• 12-18 months: 60 cm (23½ in) chest

Length to shoulder ranges from 24 cm (9½ in) for the smallest size to 32 cm (12½ in) for the largest size.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

The Minnow Tank Top employs intermediate-level knitting techniques suitable for knitters with foundational skills. The garment construction begins with a ribbed cuff worked in 1x1 rib, created by alternating knit and purl stitches in the sequence K1, P1. This elastic ribbing is repeated six times to establish a fitted edge.

The main body features cable panel motifs as a central design element. The pattern incorporates twisted stitches, specifically knit through the back loop (K1tbl) and purl through the back loop (P1tbl), which create textural interest and definition throughout the garment. These twisted stitches are strategically placed between cable panels and in the surrounding stockinette sections.

The construction uses two different needle sizes to shape the garment: 3mm (US 2-3) needles are used for the ribbed foundation rows, while 3.25mm (US 3) needles are employed for the patterned body sections. This needle transition helps create a smooth progression from the tight ribbing to the main fabric.

Yarn and Materials

The pattern specifies Rowan Superfine Merino 4 Ply, a lightweight yarn weight ideal for delicate baby garments. The yarn requirements are:

• 2 x 50g balls in Marble 269 (Color A)
• 1 x 50g ball in Minty 265 (Color B)

The pattern notes that Rowan Summerlit is listed as an alternative yarn option, providing substitution flexibility for knitters. The 4-ply weight classification indicates a fine, smooth yarn suitable for creating detailed stitch definition in baby knitwear.

In addition to yarn, knitters will require 3mm (US 2-3) and 3.25mm (US 3) knitting needles to complete this project. The combination of needle sizes and the two-color yarn work creates a sophisticated, patterned finish appropriate for special occasion baby wear.