"Lasse Tank Top" - Top Knitting Pattern For Boys in MillaMia Naturally Soft Merino

Lasse Tank Top – Boys' Stranded Colourwork Knitting Pattern by MillaMia

The Lasse Tank Top is a charming, colourwork knitting pattern for boys, designed and published by MillaMia as part of their Winter collection. It is a sleeveless pullover — a classic tank top silhouette — worked in two colours using the traditional Fair Isle (stranded colourwork) technique. The pattern is rated as Improving / Beginner-friendly, making it an excellent choice for knitters who are new to colourwork but ready to take their skills a step further. Because the garment is a tank top, the total amount of knitting is relatively compact, which keeps the project manageable and approachable for less experienced crafters.

Sizes and Fit

The Lasse Tank Top is sized to fit boys aged 1–2, 3–4, 5–6, and 7–8 years. The actual chest measurements across the four sizes range from 52 cm (20½ in) to 68 cm (26¾ in), and the length to shoulder ranges from 30 cm (12 in) to 45 cm (17¾ in). The width measurement across the front or back piece ranges from approximately 26 cm to 34 cm depending on size, giving a comfortable, relaxed fit suitable for everyday wear.

Construction Method

The garment is constructed using a bottom-up, worked flat (seamed) method. This means the front and back pieces are knitted separately, beginning at the lower edge and working upward toward the shoulder. The finished pieces are then seamed together, making this a great pattern for knitters who prefer working on straight needles rather than in the round. The seamed construction also provides structure and a neat, clean finish to the armhole and shoulder edges.

Working Flat and Reading the Chart

Because the fabric is worked flat rather than in the round, the colourwork chart is read differently on right-side and wrong-side rows. Right-side rows are read from right to left, and wrong-side rows are read from left to right. This is an important detail for knitters new to charted colourwork, and the pattern makes this clear in its hints and tips section.

Techniques Used

• Stranded colourwork (Fair Isle technique): Two colours are used simultaneously, with the unused colour carried, or stranded, across the back of the work. It is essential not to pull the carried yarn too tightly, as this can cause the fabric to pucker and distort the colourwork pattern.
• Working flat on straight needles: Both the front and back are knitted as separate flat pieces, making this accessible for knitters not yet comfortable with circular needles.
• Bottom-up construction: Knitting begins at the lower ribbed edge and progresses upward, which is the most traditional and intuitive direction for garment knitting.
• Seaming: The completed pieces are joined at the sides and shoulders using standard seaming techniques to assemble the finished tank top.
• Shaping: Armhole and neckline shaping is achieved through a range of decrease techniques, including k2tog, skpo, ssk, s2kpo, and k3tog, as well as increases using m1 and m1p.

Stitches Used

• Stocking stitch (st st): The main body fabric is worked in stocking stitch, which provides a smooth, even surface ideal for displaying the colourwork chart.
• Garter stitch (g-st): Referenced in the abbreviations, garter stitch may be used as a finishing or edging detail.
• Ribbing: Typically used at the lower hem and armhole edges on MillaMia tank tops to provide elasticity and a neat finish, worked on the smaller needle size.
• Colourwork chart stitches: The Fair Isle pattern is worked from a dedicated chart, creating the decorative two-colour design that is central to the aesthetic of the Lasse Tank Top.

Materials Required

Yarn

The pattern calls for