Tank Top and Waistcoat in Sirdar Wash 'n' Wear Double Crepe DK & Harrap Tweed DK - 7981 - Downloadable PDF

Tank Top and Waistcoat Knitting Pattern – Sirdar 7981: A Detailed Guide

Sirdar pattern 7981 is a downloadable PDF knitting pattern that includes instructions for two classic, versatile garments: a Waistcoat and a Tank Top. Both pieces are designed to be worn as layering staples, offering timeless style with a relaxed, wearable fit. The pattern is graded as intermediate in difficulty and is available in an impressive eight sizes, covering chest measurements from 61/66 cm (24/26 in) up to 132/137 cm (52/54 in), making it genuinely inclusive for a wide range of knitters. Actual finished measurements range from 71 cm (28 in) to 142 cm (56 in) at the chest, with full lengths ranging from 46 cm (18 in) to 71 cm (28 in) depending on size.

The Two Designs at a Glance

The Waistcoat

The Waistcoat is a sleeveless, button-front garment with a structured, tailored appearance. It features shaped armholes and a classic button band, making it suitable for both casual and smart-casual occasions. The button band requires 6 buttons for the four smaller sizes and 7 buttons for the four larger sizes, adding a neat, polished finish. The waistcoat is knitted in Sirdar Harrap Tweed DK in shade F087 (shade 100), a yarn that brings a warm, rustic texture to the finished fabric. Yarn requirements range from 3 to 8 balls of 50g depending on size.

The Tank Top

The Tank Top is a sleeveless pullover with a clean, simple silhouette. Like the waistcoat, it features shaped armholes worked with decreases for a neat, fitted look. It is knitted in Sirdar Wash 'n' Wear Double Crepe DK in shade F054 (shade 282), a smooth double crepe yarn that gives the finished fabric a slightly crisp, polished drape. Yarn requirements range from 4 to 11 balls of 50g depending on size. The pattern also notes that the tank top is suitable for alternative Sirdar yarns including Crofter DK, Country Style DK, and Cotton DK, though yarn amounts may vary.

Yarns and Materials

• Waistcoat yarn: Sirdar Harrap Tweed DK, shade F087 (shade 100) – a textured tweed-style DK weight yarn
• Tank Top yarn: Sirdar Wash 'n' Wear Double Crepe DK, shade F054 (shade 282) – a smooth, easy-care double crepe DK yarn
• Needle sizes: 1 pair of 4mm (UK8 / USA6) knitting needles and 1 pair of 3¼mm (UK10 / USA3) knitting needles
• Additional notions: A stitch holder and 6 or 7 buttons for the waistcoat (depending on size)

Both yarns are DK (double knitting) weight, which is one of the most popular yarn weights for garment knitting. DK yarn works up at a medium gauge, making it faster to knit than fingering or sport weight while still producing a fabric with good stitch definition and drape.

Knitting Techniques Used

This pattern uses a range of classic garment construction techniques appropriate for an intermediate knitter. Key techniques include:

• Thumb method cast-on – specified for starting the back pieces, this is a single-needle cast-on method that creates a neat, elastic edge well suited to ribbed borders
• Stocking stitch – the main fabric of both garments, worked by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side, producing a smooth, flat fabric
• Rib stitch – used for the lower borders and neckbands, typically worked as a combination of knit and purl