NATURtop Knitted Tank Top – Pattern and Tutorial

Also available in: Español

Once upon a time, in the distant lands of summer, there was a young fashionista knitter. She was always searching for the latest and greatest trends, but this summer, she was determined to stand out from the crowd.

One day, she stumbled upon a beautiful knit tank top while searching the internet. It was the perfect top to stand out during the summer months. Excited by her discovery, she quickly purchased the pattern and gathered the materials needed to create her version.

With patience and precision, the young knitter worked tirelessly to craft her masterpiece. Finally, the day came when her hand made Tank Top was finished. She put it on and instantly marvelled at how beautiful it looked on her. She also felt so good she decided to make a top for her daughter 👩‍👧.

The young knitter and her daughter went out into the summer sun, proudly wearing handmade tops. Everywhere they went, heads turned in admiration. It was clear that the Naturtop had become the must-have fashion item of the season.

And so, the young fashionista knitter and her daughter lived happily ever after, wearing their handmade tops with confidence and style. Never again did they have to worry about following the latest trend, for they had their own fashion statement ✌🏼.

Gauge

10 x 10 cm = 18 stitches x 26 rows in Granite Stitch

I know you’re eager to start knitting your top, but before you begin casting on stitches on your needle, you must stop to knit this tension swatch.

When working with a stitch like the Granite Stitch, which forms an openwork pattern, it is crucial to know the change in swatch size after knitting and blocking. In addition, if we use a larger needle than recommended for the particular cotton, this change in length can be even more significant. Therefore, blocking the sample to obtain accurate and predictable results is especially important.

The Granite Stitch creates open spaces between the stitches. These spaces can shrink or stretch during blocking, directly affecting the garment’s final size. Blocking allows these “gaps” to open up and show their full splendour.

To block your sample, soak it in water until it is entirely saturated and remove excess moisture with a towel. Then stretch your swatch on a flat surface and let it dry. If you have a blocking mat or a puzzle mat (used as a floor mat for babies), all the better. You can shape your sample into the desired shape and correct its edges by pinning blocking or regular pins.

In the following pictures, you can see my sample’s size change before and after blocking. If in 26 stitches that we work, the size difference is 2 cm, for a 78 base stitch women’s top, the difference would be 6 cm, which would mean a change of a size or two.

Available Sizes

In addition to the free size (size S) provided in this tutorial, the NATURtop knitted top is also available in various sizes for both girls and women:

Girl’s sizes: 2-4 years, 4-6 years, 6-8 years, 8-10 years and 10-12 years.

Women’s sizes: S, M, L and XL

You can purchase each size individually or opt for the pattern that includes all 9 sizes at an irresistible price. Simply click here or on the image below to access the pattern containing all 9 sizes.

How to make the NATURtop knitted Top – SIZE S

To create our NATURtop, we’ll start by knitting the front piece and shaping the armholes and neckline. Then, we’ll work on the back piece, creating a cool opening at the top. Once both pieces are done, we’ll join them together at the sides and shoulders. Finally, to give our top a special flair, we’ll finish off the armholes, neckline, and hem with a lovely i-cord edging. This will make our top one-of-a-kind and super chic!

Knit the front

Cast on 78 stitches and work 3 rows in stockinette, stitch starting with a knit row.

From row 4, we will begin to form the characteristic ridges of the Granite Stitch by repeating 4 rows.

Row 4. k1, *k2tog*, repeat from * to * until there is only 1 st left, k1, k1

Row 5. k1, *KFB*, repeat from * to * until there is only 1 st left, k1

Row 6. Purl all stitches

Row 7. Knit all stitches

Work by repeating from row 4 to row 7 until you have 14 ridges counting from the bottom of your project.

Shpe the armholes

Once you have those 14 ridges, we will begin to form the armholes of our Knitted Top on the next knit row.

We will make a decrease on each side every two rows. Since the Granite Stitch pattern is formed by alternating a decrease row (k2tog) and an increase row (KFB), we will take advantage of those decreases to form the armholes.

Row 1. k1, SKP, knit until there are only 3 sts left, k2tog, k1.

Row 2. k1, *k2tog*, repeat from * to * until there is only 1 st left, k1.

Row 3. k2, *1 KFB*, repeat from * to * until there are only 2 sts left, k2.

Row 4. Purl all stitches

Work repeating from row 1 to 4 until you have 48 stitches on your needle and 21 ridges from the hem.

We will continue working these 48 stitches to give length to the armhole, without decreasing until we have 25 ridges stitches from the bottom. Remember to continue alternating the 4 rows that form the Granite Stitch pattern.

Once you have 25 ridges, we will begin to form the neckline and left shoulder after the last purl row.

Shape the neckline and left shoulder

It is time to divide the stitches to shape the neckline and left shoulder.

Once you count 25 ridges, work the next knit row as follows:

Row 1. Knit 16 sts, bind off 16 sts, knit to end.

From now on, we will work only the last 16 stitches you have on your needle.

As we did with the armholes, we will work decreases to form the neckline, but we will only do them on one side this time. Since we will form the left shoulder first, the decreases should go to the right.

Row 2. k1, *k2tog*, repeat from * to * until there is only 1 st left, k1.

Row 3. k2, *1 KFB*, repeat from * to * until there are only 1 st left, k1.

Row 4. Purl all stitches

Row 5. k1, SKP, knit to end.

Work repeating from row 2 to row 5 until you have 9 stitches on your needle and 29 ridges from the hem.

When finished, place the stitches on hold onto a stitch holder or waste yarn and cut the yarn.

Shape the neckline and right shoulder

Once you have finished the left shoulder, you will knit the other shoulder using the 16 stitches you still have on your needle. You will need to incorporate a new yarn to start knitting.

Row 1 . k1, *k2tog*, repeat from * to * until there is only 1 st left, k1.

Row 2. k1, *1 KFB*, repeat from * to * until there are only 2 sts left, k2.

Row 3. Purl all stitches

Row 4. Knit until there are only 3 sts left, k2tog, k1.

Work repeating from row 1 to 4 until you have 9 stitches on your needle and a total of 29 ridges from the hem.

Place the stitches on hold onto a stitch holder or waste yarn and cut the strand. 

Knit the back

Now that we have finished knitting the front piece of our knitted top, it’s time to work on the back piece.

The back piece is quite similar to the front, with the only difference being the upper part. So, we’ll follow the same knitting instructions for the back piece as we did for the front piece, until we reach a total of 22 ridges from the hem. Don’t forget that starting from ridge 14, we need to shape the armholes as well.

Shape the back opening

After completing the 22 ridges, it’s time to create the back opening. To achieve this, on the next knit row, knit 24 stitches. From this point onward, we will solely focus on working with these 24 stitches.

Work in Granite Stitch until to complete 28 ridges from the hem.

Shape the neckline and right shoulder

On the next purl row, bind off 14 stitches purlwise and purl until end.

Row 1. Knit until there are only 3 sts left, k2tog, k1.

Row 2. k1, *k2tog*, repeat from * to * until there is only 1 st left, k1.

Row 3. k1, *1 KFB*, repeat from * to * until there is only 2 sts left, k2.

Row 4. Purl all stitches

Row 5. Knit until there are only 3 sts left, k2tog, k1.

At the end of the 5th row you will have 9 sts on your needle and 29 ridges from the hem.

Form the left back opening

Go back to the stitches you had on standby on your needle and knit 24 sts incorporating a new strand.

Continue working in Granite stitch, following the same pattern as the right back opening.

Shape the neckline and left shoulder

On the next knit row, bind off 14 stitches and knit until end.

Row 2. k1, *k2tog*, repeat from * to * until there is only 1 st left, k1.

Row 3. k2, *1 KFB*, repeat from * to * until there is only 1 st left, k1.

Row 4. Purl all stitches

Row 5. k1, SKP, knit to end.

Seam the sides and shoulders

It’s time to give your knit top its final shape! With the right side facing you, join the front and back pieces using an invisible seam technique to ensure a flawless finish. You can refer to this helpful video tutorial for guidance on how to execute this type of joining.

Place the stitches on hold for one of the shoulders onto your working needle. Join them together using the Kitchener invisible stitch method. If you’re not familiar with this technique, you can watch this video tutorial for a step-by-step demonstration.

Polish the neckline, armholes and bottom hem

Let’s add some finishing touches to enhance our top’s neckline, armholes, and bottom hem!

While we could consider the top complete and ready to wear, the extra step to polish the edges will give it a more professional and elevated look. To achieve this, we’ll use an i-cord edge technique. This method creates a cleaner, firmer, and rounded edge, resulting in a neater and more refined finish.

1. Cast on 3 stitches onto a double-pointed or short circular needle.
2. Insert the needle into the stitch where you want to start knitting your i-cord, in this case, at the center of the armpit, and pick up one stitch. From now on, you will insert your needle into the next stitch you need to pick up.
3. Slide the unworked stitches to the right end of the needle
4. Knit 2 stitches and then knit 2 stitches together through the back loop.
5. Repeat steps 2, 3, and 4 as many times as necessary.
6. When you’re done, cut the yarn with a sufficient length and sew the i-cord stitches together.
7. Weave in loose ends

You can watch the complete process of knitting an i-cord border in this video, starting from casting on the first stitches to invisibly sewing the beginning and end of the cord together.

Form the closure

Using a strand of the same cotton yarn you used for knitting the garment, sew a loop. Then, sew a button opposite the loop to secure it properly.

You can learn how to make thread loops by watching this video.

Block your top

Blocking a knitted garment is essential to achieve the perfect look and fit. It helps open up the stitches, smooth out the seams, and give your top the desired shape. Follow these steps to block your knitted top:

1. Soak the garment entirely in water.
2. Gently squeeze the excess water and remove any remaining moisture with a towel.
3. Lay the garment flat on a clean surface, preferably a blocking mat or towel.
4. Gently stretch and shape the top to your desired dimensions, smoothing out any wrinkles or unevenness.
5. Use blocking pins, if available, to secure the edges and any specific details, such as lace or ribbing.
6. Allow the top to air dry completely. This may take some time, so be patient.
7. Once dry, carefully remove the pins.
8. Check the shape and fit of your top, making any necessary adjustments or repeating the blocking process if needed.

And so concludes our story of the young fashionista knitter and her daughter, who made a statement in the summer with their beautiful handmade tops. This tale teaches us that true fashion is not just about following trends but expressing our creativity and personal style through unique garments crafted with love.

The Naturtop knitted top represents a passion for the art of knitting, the satisfaction of creating something with our own hands, and the joy of wearing unique garments that reflect our personality.

Remember, the NATURtop knitted top is not only available in women’s sizes but also in girls’ sizes, ranging from 2-4 years to 10-12 years. Enjoy the fun of matching sets!

Whether you’re an experienced knitter or just beginning your journey into the world of knitting, I hope this tutorial and pattern have sparked your inspiration and motivated you to embark on your own knitting adventure. Be your own fashion statement!

I hope you’ve enjoyed this post and feel inspired to dive into your next knitting project. If you’ve liked the NATURtop knitted top, I encourage you to share your experience and results with all of us on social media. I would love to see your version of the NATURtop! Don’t forget to use the hashtags #creativaatelier and #NATURtop so we can all admire and celebrate your creation. Knitting together is even more fun! 💖🧶

Best,