Ocracoke Tank #201

Ocracoke Tank #201 by Sue McCain

What is Being Made

The Ocracoke Tank is a sleeveless knitted top designed by Sue McCain and available through Vermont Fiber Designs. This pattern offers an extensive range of sizing from XXS through 6X-Large, making it accessible for diverse body types. The finished bust measurements span from 24.75 inches for the smallest size to 64.75 inches for the largest size, with the garment intended to be worn with approximately 0–2 inches of ease for a close, comfortable fit.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

This intermediate-level knitting project incorporates cable work and twisted stitches to create visual interest and texture. The pattern employs several specialized cable techniques that require the use of a cable needle:

• 1/1 LC (Left Cross): Slip 1 stitch to cable needle and hold to front, knit 1, then knit 1 through the back loop from cable needle
• 1/1 RC (Right Cross): Slip 1 stitch to cable needle and hold to back, knit 1 through the back loop, then knit 1 from cable needle
• 1/1 LPC (Left Purl Cross): Slip 1 stitch to cable needle and hold to front, purl 1, then knit 1 through the back loop from cable needle
• 1/1 RPC (Right Purl Cross): Slip 1 stitch to cable needle and hold to back, knit 1 through the back loop, then purl 1 from cable needle

Additional decrease techniques are used throughout the pattern, including k2tog (knit 2 stitches together) for standard decreases and specialized decreases such as [k2tog-tbl+p1] and [k2tog-tw+p1] that combine twisted knit decreases with purl stitches. The base fabric is worked in stockinette stitch (St st), providing a smooth canvas for the cable and twisted stitch details.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Ocracoke Tank is knitted with worsted weight cotton yarn, which offers breathability and drape ideal for a sleeveless summer garment. Yardage requirements vary by size: the XXS requires 490 yards, while the largest size (6X-Large) requires 1,365 yards. The pattern specifies a gauge of 5 stitches in stockinette stitch measuring 1 inch, with a wraps per inch (WPI) of 9, confirming the worsted weight classification. A cable needle is essential for executing the cable crosses that define this design.

Pattern Details and Difficulty Level

Rated as an intermediate difficulty pattern, the Ocracoke Tank is suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are comfortable working with cables and managing multiple decrease techniques. The extensive size range and the inclusion of detailed abbreviations and stitch definitions support knitters in successfully completing this project. This downloadable PDF pattern is distributed by Vermont Fiber Designs.