Galax
Galax is a cropped V neck tank featuring a simple but striking lace motif inspired by Estonian lace. Worked in 100% silk yarn, this tank is effortlessly elegant with the perfect amount of drape. Applied i-cord edging completes the garment, providing a polished finish. I named this tank after an Appalachian wildflower with delicate white flowers that grows in the mountain forests near my home in North Carolina.
SIZING
This pattern is graded to 10 sizes, {A, B, C}(D, E, F, G){H, I, J}, designed to fit a body with the full bust measurement shown in the schematic (see photos). This tank is designed to be worn with approximately 0 - 2” / 0 - 5 cm of negative ease at the bust. This means that the circumference of your garment should be equal to, or slightly smaller than, your bust circumference. If your full bust circumference is more than 4” (10 cm) larger than your upper chest circumference, I recommend choosing a size with greater negative ease if you’d like a more fitted tank.
SAMPLE
Photos show a size B worn with 1” / 2.5 cm of negative ease at the bust on a body with a height of 5’2” / 157 cm.
MODIFICATIONS
This pattern is for a cropped tank with a deep V neckline, but can be easily modified to have either a longer body or a less deep V. To lengthen the body, simply work more repeats of the lace motif. To make the V less deep, you can work the straps shorter than instructed. To see examples of these modifications, check out the Test Knitter Showcase linked below.
TEST KNITTER SHOWCASE
Check out the Test Knitter Showcase to see this tank on different body types and in different yarns. Detailed information is included on each tester's project.
CONSTRUCTION
This tank is worked bottom up in the round for the body, then is worked flat for the upper sections. Decreases in the upper sections create armhole shaping and a “V” shaped neckline. A simple “V” shaped lace motif featuring eyelets and nupps is worked along the body, echoing the shape of the neckline. All edges are finished with applied i-cords to give a polished look to the finished piece.
YARN
Knitting for Olive Pure Silk (100% silk; 273 yds / 250 m per 50 g). Sample is shown in Putty.
g: {81, 93, 106}(132, 146, 161, 176){188, 222, 238}
yds: {440, 510, 580}(720, 795, 880, 960){1025, 1210, 1300}
m: {405, 465, 530}(660, 730, 805, 880){940, 1110, 1190}
skeins: {2, 2, 3}(3, 3, 4, 4){4, 5, 5}
NEEDLES
• SIZE A: US 3 / 3.25 mm for body
• SIZE B: US 2 / 2.75 mm for edging
In Size A: Circular needle of a length appropriate for the size you are knitting.
In Size B: Preferred needles for applied i-cord (two double pointed needles or a short circular needle).
GAUGE
28 sts x 36 rnds = 4” / 10 cm in stockinette, worked in the round, on size A needles and blocked
15 sts = 2.75” / 7 cm in lace motif, worked in the round, on size A needles and blocked
ADDITIONAL MATERIALS
• Yarn needle
• 5 stitch markers (1 unique for BOR)
• Crochet hook (for Provisional Cast-On)
TECHNIQUES USED
• Long-Tail Cast-On
• Lace
• Nupps
• Reading charts
• Basic decreases
• Grafting
• Picking up stitches
• One-Step Provisional Cast-On
•Applied i-cord