915 Chalcedony - Top Knitting Pattern for Women in Valley Yarns Montague

915 Chalcedony – Women's Knitting Pattern for a Stockinette Tank Top or Vest by Julie Turjoman

915 Chalcedony is a women's tank top and vest knitting pattern designed by Julie Turjoman and published by Valley Yarns. Available as a downloadable PDF, this pattern delivers a long, slightly retro silhouette with clean vertical lines and subtle waist shaping that flatters a wide range of figures. Whether you call it a tank or a vest, Chalcedony is a versatile wardrobe staple that works across seasons and styling choices.

What Is Being Made

The finished garment is a sleeveless top — described in the pattern as a tank or vest — featuring a simple, elegant shape with visible waist shaping and strong vertical lines. It is designed with 1–2 inches of positive ease for a relaxed but figure-flattering fit. The pattern is offered in eight sizes ranging from XS through 4XL, with finished bust measurements spanning 33 inches up to 60½ inches. The sample shown in the pattern photography is knitted in Size 36½ inches.

Techniques Used

• Bottom-up construction: The garment is worked from the lower hem upward, which gives knitters a natural, intuitive progression through the shaping.
• Worked flat: Pieces are knitted back and forth on straight or circular needles rather than in the round, producing separate front and back panels.
• Seamed finishing: The flat-knitted pieces are joined using seaming techniques, creating a structured garment with clean, stable edges — a hallmark of classic knitwear construction.
• Waist shaping: Increases and decreases are used strategically to create the fitted waist silhouette that gives Chalcedony its flattering, slightly retro character.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette stitch forms the primary fabric of the entire garment. It is worked by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side when knitting flat. Stockinette produces a smooth, classic surface that drapes beautifully and highlights the vertical lines of the design.
• Finishing details around the armholes and neckline are worked using circular needles, suggesting ribbing or a picked-up edging to neaten and stabilize those openings.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated beginner difficulty, and Julie Turjoman specifically notes that it makes a great first garment for new knitters. The reliance on straightforward stockinette stitch, combined with the bottom-up, worked-flat construction, means knitters can focus on learning garment shaping without navigating complex stitch patterns or advanced techniques. The seamed finishing does introduce an additional skill, but it is a foundational technique well within reach of a motivated beginner.

Yarn and Materials

The pattern is designed for Valley Yarns Montague, a worsted weight yarn made from 100% Organic Cotton. Each skein contains 50g and approximately 110 yards. The sample is knitted in color 03 Seafoam. Depending on size, the pattern calls for 6 to 11 skeins. Organic cotton is known for its soft hand, subtle texture, and breathability, making it an ideal choice for a sleeveless top intended for warm-weather wear or layering.

Needles and Notions

• US size 7 (4.50 mm) needles for the main body fabric — knitters should swatch and adjust needle size as needed to achieve gauge.
• US size 5 (3.75 mm) circular needles in both 16-inch and 24-inch lengths for finishing the neckline and armhole edges.
• Additional materials include stitch markers (including 4 locking stitch markers), stitch holders, and a tapestry needle for seaming and weaving in ends.

Gauge

The required gauge is 18 stitches and 28 rows over 4 inches