"Harriet" - Tank Top Knitting Pattern For Women in Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran by Debbie Bliss in Debbie Bliss - DB327 - Downloadable PDF

Harriet Tank Top Knitting Pattern by Debbie Bliss – A Detailed Guide

The Harriet Tank is an elegant, cable-detailed women's tank top (sleeveless top/vest) designed by Debbie Bliss and worked in her signature Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran yarn. This intermediate-level knitting pattern (pattern code DB327) is available as a downloadable PDF and offers a beautifully structured garment that combines classic cable textures with a flattering fitted silhouette. It is an ideal project for knitters who are comfortable with basic techniques and ready to explore more intricate cable constructions.

What Is Being Made

The Harriet Tank is a women's sleeveless knitted top designed to be worn close to the body, with finished bust measurements ranging from 88 cm (34¾ in) up to 130 cm (51¼ in), making it accessible across a wide range of sizes. The pattern covers five size brackets to fit busts of 81–86, 92–97, 102–107, 112–117, and 122–127 cm (approximately 32–34 up to 48–50 inches). The finished length to the shoulder ranges from 48 cm (19 in) to 56 cm (22 in) depending on the size selected. The tank's design centres on decorative cable panels that add visual interest and texture to what might otherwise be a simple wardrobe staple, elevating it into a statement piece suitable for both casual and smart-casual occasions.

Techniques Used

This pattern employs a combination of construction techniques that make it a rewarding intermediate project:

• Worked flat: The main body pieces are knitted flat (back and forth in rows) on straight needles, which is the traditional approach for garment construction and allows easy access to both right-side and wrong-side rows.
• Worked in the round: A circular needle is also used in the construction — specifically a 4 mm (US 6) circular needle — most likely for finishing edges such as neckbands or armhole trims, giving a neat, seamless finish to these details.
• Cable knitting: The defining technique of the Harriet Tank is its cable work. Multiple cable variations are used throughout the pattern, requiring a cable needle to temporarily hold stitches while others are worked. This creates the characteristic twisted rope-like or crossing-stitch textures that are central to the garment's aesthetic appeal.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Harriet Tank uses a rich vocabulary of stitches and cable abbreviations, reflecting the intermediate skill level required:

• Stocking stitch (st st): The base fabric of the garment is stocking stitch, worked by knitting on right-side rows and purling on wrong-side rows. The tension/gauge for this pattern is 18 stitches and 24 rows to 10 cm / 4 in over stocking stitch using 5 mm (US 8) needles.
• C4B (Cable 4 Back): Slip the next 2 stitches onto a cable needle and hold at the back of the work, knit 2, then knit 2 from the cable needle. This creates a right-leaning cable cross.
• C4F (Cable 4 Front): Slip the next 2 stitches onto a cable needle and hold to the front of the work, knit 2, then knit 2 from the cable needle. This creates a left-leaning cable cross.
• C5L (Cable 5 Left): Slip the next 3 stitches onto a cable needle and hold to the front of the work, purl 2, then knit 3 from the cable needle. This is a travelling cable stitch that moves diagonally to the left across a purl background.
• C5R (Cable 5 Right): Slip the next 2 stitches onto a cable needle and hold at the back of the work, knit 3, then purl 2 from the cable needle. This is the mirror-image travelling cable, moving diagonally to the right.
• C6F (Cable 6