Crochet Patterns / April 24, 2024

Whiteshell Tank – Crochet Pattern for Minimalist, Bra-Friendly Tank Top with Optional Hip/Waist Shaping [Size Inclusive XS-5X]

Hi all!

This post includes everything you need to know about the Whiteshell Tank, a clean, modern tank top with thoughtful shaping around the armholes to create the perfect fit. This piece is capsule-wardrobe approved and can even be integrated into your office attire as it has a modest neckline and a bra-friendly design that will completely hide the straps of most bras!

Get the Lion Brand Crochet Kit here (in your desired colourway + size)!

Before we begin, here are some quick links for you:

Find the PDF version on Ravelry, Etsy, and my website.
Add your finished project to Ravelry here!
Shop the recommended yarns, Lion Brand 24/7 DK, here.
- Shop the full Lion Brand crochet kit here (comes with all yarn required for your size + FREE copy of the PDF pattern)!
For any questions about this pattern, please email knitsnknotswpg@gmail.com and I’ll get back to you asap!

Shop my new book – Modern Crochet Sweaters: 20 Chic Designs for Everyday Wear – here!

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About

Designed with a capsule wardrobe in mind, the customizable Whiteshell Tank is a clean, modern piece that can be easily integrated into your regular outfit rotations. For lovers of minimalism or garments that can be easily mixed and matched. The Whiteshell Tank is a bra-friendly design that will completely hide the straps of most bras!

Materials

Yarn: DK—Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton DK in Cream

100% Cotton
273 yds (250 m) per 3.5 oz (100 g) skein
Find this yarn on lionbrand.com or visit yarnsub.com to find comparable substitutes

Yardage Required: 3 (3, 3, 4, 4) (5, 5, 5, 6) skeins for sizes XS (S, M, L, XL) (2X, 3X, 4X, 5X), or

575 (625, 700, 850, 1025) (1125, 1225, 1350, 1500) yds
526 (572, 640, 777, 937) (1029, 1120, 1234, 1372) m

Substitute Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton DK with any similar category 3 (DK) light weight yarn that matches gauge. Always swatch before beginning to ensure you are happy with the resulting fabric.

Hook: Size U.S. F/5 (3.75 mm) or size needed to obtain gauge

Notions: Tapestry needle, several locking stitch markers

Gauge

I like to include gauge information that is available to everyone (whether you purchase the pattern or not) so that you can check your stash to see if you have a yarn that works before purchasing new yarn!

Gauge: 4 x 4” (10 x 10 cm) = 24 sts and 25 rows in pattern (where each sc counts as a st and each ch counts as a st), blocked.

See swatch instructions below.

For Swatch

Ch 32.

Row 1: Working into the back bumps of your ch, sc in 2nd ch from hook, *ch 1, sk next ch, sc in next ch; rep from * to end of row, turn. [16 sc]

Row 2: Ch 1, sc in first sc, *ch 1, sk next ch, sc in next sc; rep from * to end of row, turn.

Rep Row 2 until you have at least 30 rows worked.

Block your swatch the same way you would your finished garment.

Within 4” (10 cm), you should have 24 sts (count this as 12 sc and 12 chs) and 25 rows in order to achieve the finished measurements in the sizing chart (page 4 of the written pattern).

Terms + Abbreviations Used

Written in U.S. Crochet terms

BOR: beginning of round
ch: chain
ch-sp: chain space
PM: place marker
rep: repeat
rnd: round
RS: right side
sc: single crochet
scBLO: single crochet in the back loop only
sc2tog: single crochet 2 stitches together
sc2togBLO: single crochet 2 stitches together in the back loops only
sk: skip
sl st: slip stitch
st(s): stitch(es)
WS: wrong side

Pattern Notes

Skill Level: Intermediate

Sizing: This top is written in nine sizes as follows: XS (S, M, L, XL) (2X, 3X, 4X, 5X). Make sure to follow the numbers for your size only.

View full sizing chart on next page.

An “x” indicates that particular instruction does not apply to your size.

Stitch Counts: Stitch counts are listed after each row/rnd in italics. If no stitch count is given, there has been no change since the previous row/rnd. If only one number is provided, it applies to all sizes.

You will notice that the stitch counts at the end of the rows include only the number of single crochet stitches. This makes it a lot easier to count your stitches and check your work.
Since each row/round begins and ends with a sc, there is always one less ch-sp in any given row than the total number of sc.
For example, if there are 5 sc in a row, then there are also 4 ch-sps in this row. However, you will only need to count the sc to check your work.

Right-handed vs Left-handed Crocheters: The pattern is written with right-handed crocheters in mind (those who hold their hook in their right hand and crochet each row toward the left). If you are a left-handed crocheter, any instructions referring to the “right-hand side” or “left-hand side” should be reversed.

Turning Chain: The turning chain does not count as a stitch.

Construction: This pattern is crocheted seamlessly in one piece from the top-down. You will begin with the back panel neckline, working a few increase rows until reaching your unique yoke depth. The front panel is worked directly onto the back panel, beginning at the tops of the shoulders. Next, the two front pieces are joined to create the front neckline. The front and back panels are connected and crocheted in joined, turned rounds until reaching your desired length. Optional waist-shaping and hip-shaping are included. Lastly, several finishing rounds are added to the neckline and each armhole opening to clean up the edges.

Note on Fit: As you crochet this top, the yoke will seem very narrow and very deep. Although you may feel that there is not enough coverage, the armhole rounds worked at the end of this pattern really transform this top, bringing in the sleeve openings while also adding a substantial amount of fabric to your upper body. To bring you peace of mind, you may choose to work the armhole opening and neckline finishing rounds shortly after you join your yoke, before crocheting the entire body.

The photo above has one side completed (see arrow) to demonstrate this transformation.

Sizing Information

The following image is a screenshot of Page 5 of the PDF pattern!

Yarn Substitution

When choosing a yarn for this project, keep in mind you will want something light and breathable, but also with some stretch. I recommend avoiding 100% bamboo yarns (such as Lion Brand Truboo) as these yarns tend to stretch lengthwise excessively upon washing and blocking. It’s important in this design that your armholes sit at the correct depth; too much stretching means your armholes will sag, sitting on your body way too low, and your bra/undergarment will be exposed.

I was really happy with my 100% mercerized cotton version (and all testers who used this seem to be happy with it as well!), and I can see a Superwash Merino working really well in this top, too. Based on the testing experience, the best yarns for this project seem to be cotton yarns, cotton/acrylic blends, Superwash Merino yarns, or blends of these fibers. You may not think of “wool” when you think summer tops, but wool is nice and breathable and will help your top to have some really nice stretch and memory, suiting this design particularly well since it’s such a fitted top.

Here is a list of yarns that worked well based on tester feedback:

Paintbox Cotton DK
Premier Cotton Fair
Premier Bamboo Fair
Schewe Cotton Classic
KnitPicks CotLin
Amaranth Fibres Double Down DK
Rico Design Sport DK
Hobbii Acacia
Flinders 8ply 100% Cotton
The Wool Baron’s E.B.S. DK
Patons Grace
Berroco Modern Cotton DK
Himalaya Deluxe Bamboo
Knit Picks Shine Sport
Sewrella DK

Tester Photos

Below you can see some photos from the testing process to see how the tank top looks on different bodies with different modifications made using a variety of yarns. Some folks opted for hip and waist shaping while others kept their tank straight without any shaping. The beauty of this design is that you can modify the fit to hug your curves, no matter your shape!

Thank you so much to all the testers who helped me to make this pattern as clear and easy-to-follow as possible. They had such wonderful feedback and suggestions for me to make this pattern as clear and easy-to-follow as possible! They all used their own time and resources to crochet up a sample top (or two!) for me, and it is much appreciated! I included the Instagram handles of all testers below in case you’d like to see more of their work!