This tank top uses one of my favourite colourwork stitch patterns – it feels almost magical! You only ever use one colour per row, but it looks as if you’re working with two.

I knitted one version of this tank top entirely from my stash. I kept the same shade for Colour A throughout, but changed Colour B each time – a brilliant way to use up those little bits of yarn you love but can’t quite part with.

This pattern was one of eight I designed especially for a yarn I launched at Yarndale 2017, which has since been discontinued. The yarn was spun in Donegal, so I gave all the patterns Irish names. Cara (pronounced KA-ra) means “friend” – our connection to one another. I think that perfectly sums up this stitch technique, with each colour travelling along the row yet linking together in harmony.

Since then, I’ve found another beautiful yarn spun in Donegal that works perfectly as a replacement, allowing this design to continue to be knitted and loved.

CONSTRUCTION
The back and front are knitted flat from the bottom up in seperate pieces and joined together. The neck and armhole edges are picked up and knitted.

TECHNIQUES USED
Cast on, knit, purl, decreasing at the armhole and neck shaping, slip stitch sometimes called mosaic colour work, cast off. Joining seams. Optional but recommended to create the feeling of joy when joining your pieces: mattress stitch and three needle cast off.

YARN
2(2:3:3:3) 100g hanks of BRE Donegal Twists DK in shade A
AND Two 100g hanks in shade B.
72% Merino & 28% British wool 270m/295yds per 100g.

SUGGESTED KNITTING NEEDLES
3.75mm & 4mm.

GAUGE (tension)
21 stitches and 38 rows to 10cm/4ins square over pattern. I obtained this gauge with 4mm needles.
It is important to obtain the correct gauge so do work a swatch before you start the pattern and change your needle size to achieve the correct gauge if you need to.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
I recommend a positive ease of 1-4ins/2-10cm at the chest.

Size
1, (2, 3, 4, 5)

Actual Chest Circumference
89.5, (97, 108.5, 116, 123.5)cm
35¼, (38¼, 42¾, 45½, 48¼)ins

Length (from top of shoulder to cast on edge)
61, (64, 66, 70, 72)cm
24, (25¼, 26, 27½, 28¼)ins

NEED HELP?
I am here for you! Pop into the Skipton studio, send an email, or check out the Purl &Jane YouTube channel for tips, inspiration and guidance including handy resources like gauge (tension) guides and how to tutorials.