Opal Tank

Opal Tank by Two of Wands

What is Being Made

The Opal Tank is a sleeveless knit top designed as a beginner-friendly tank garment. This downloadable knitting pattern is available in multiple sizes, with the pictured sample shown in size Small on a model with a 31-inch bust. The finished garment is designed with 2 to 6 inches of positive ease, allowing for a comfortable, relaxed fit suitable for various body types and layering preferences.

Knitting Techniques and Construction

The Opal Tank is worked flat, meaning the pieces are knitted in separate flat sections rather than in the round. This construction method is ideal for beginners, as it eliminates the complexity of managing stitches on circular needles while building the main fabric. The pattern employs fundamental knitting techniques that are accessible to those new to the craft while still creating a polished, wearable garment.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch structure is stockinette stitch, which creates the smooth, classic knit fabric that forms the body of the tank. The pattern incorporates essential shaping stitches including:

• Knit (K) and Purl (P) stitches as foundational elements
• Increases using KFB (knit front and back), M1L (make 1 left), and M1R (make 1 right) for shaping the garment
• Decreases using K2tog (knit 2 together), P2tog (purl 2 together), SSK (slip, slip, knit), and SSP (slip, slip, purl) for tailoring the fit
• Slip stitches (Sl) for edge finishing and stitch management

Materials and Gauge

The Opal Tank pattern calls for Lion Brand Coboo yarn in the colorway Silver (color code 835-149). This yarn is a DK/light worsted weight (weight 3) with 232 yards per 212 meters per skein. Depending on the size being knitted, the pattern requires between 3 and 5 skeins of yarn, providing flexibility for various garment dimensions.

The recommended gauge is 18 stitches and 26 rows over 4 inches (10 centimeters) in stockinette stitch using US 7 (4.5mm) needles. Achieving proper gauge is essential for ensuring the finished garment matches the intended dimensions and fits as designed.

Needles and Notions

The pattern requires a combination of straight and circular needles to accommodate different stages of construction:

• US 7 (4.5mm) knitting needles for the main fabric worked in stockinette stitch
• US 6 (4mm) circular knitting needles in 16-inch (40cm) length for ribbed edging or smaller circumference sections
• US 6 (4mm) circular knitting needles in 24-inch (60cm) length for larger sections, with a note that longer needles may be needed for larger sizes

Additional notions include stitch holders or scrap yarn for managing stitches between sections, stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and shaping points, and a tapestry needle for weaving in ends and seaming pieces together.

Skill Level

Designed as a beginner-level project, the Opal Tank introduces knitters to fundamental techniques in a practical, wearable format. The flat construction and straightforward stitch patterns make this an excellent choice for those building confidence in their knitting skills while creating a versatile wardrobe staple.