Tree Dancer – Simple Knit Tank Top Pattern Free

You can enjoy knitting this simple knit tank top pattern for free this summer, with step by step instructions, crafting a sleeveless top for ladies is easy.

The Tree Dancer Knit Tank Top

The Tree Dancer is a beautiful sleeveless knit top designed for warm-weather comfort. With its lightweight airy fabric and flattering A-line construction, it’s a versatile piece you’ll reach for throughout spring and summer.

Delicate lace details add just the right amount of feminine charm without making the project overly complicated, resulting in a top that’s both stylish and easy to wear.

This free knitting pattern is suitable for a intermediate knitters, or adventurous beginners looking to knit their first garment.

The simple shaping and clear instructions make the project approachable, while the timeless design ensures you’ll enjoy wearing it for years to come.

This pattern includes sizes XS to 5X and can be worn on its own during warmer months or layered under cardigans and jackets in fall and winter.

How To Knit A Simple Tank Top

If you’re searching for an easy tank top pattern for summer, the Tree Dancer is a great place to start. This free knit pattern uses fingering weight sock yarn to create a soft, breathable fabric that’s perfect for summer.

The straightforward construction keeps the knitting enjoyable, while the lace accents add interest without overwhelming knitters.

To make this ladies tank top, you’ll need US 3 (3.25 mm) circular knitting needles for the body and US 1 (2.25 mm) circular knitting needles for the neck and armholes. You may need a different needle size to achieve the gauge of 7 stitches and 8 rows per inch in stockinette stitch on the larger needles.

Available in sizes XS to 5X, this simple knitting pattern offers a comfortable fit and a polished finish for knitters of all experience levels. You can find more free clothing patterns here.

Free Knitting Pattern: Tree Dancer Tank Top

Pattern Information:

ABBREVIATIONS:

Beg – beginning
BO – bind off
BOR – beginning of row/round
CO – cast on
Dec – decrease
Ea – each
Inc – increase
K – knit
K2tog – knit 2 together as one
K-wise – as if to knit
Lt – left
M – marker
P – purl
P2tog – purl 2 together as one
Pfb – purl front, then back of st
Pm – place marker
P-wise – as if to purl
Rep – repeat
Rnd(s) – round(s)
RS – right side of work
Rt – right
SKP – slip 1 stitch, k 1 stitch, pass the slipped stitch over the k st
St(s) – stitch(es)
Stock st – stockinette st (knit on the RS + purl on the WS)
Tog – together
WS – wrong side of work
YO – yarn over

SIZES/MEASUREMENTS:

XS (S, M, L, XL) [2X, 3X, 4X, 5X]
To Fit Chest: 30 (34, 38, 42, 46) [50, 54, 58, 62]” / 76 (86.5, 96.5, 106.5, 117) [127, 137, 147.5, 157.5]cm

FINISHED GARMENT MEASUREMENTS AFTER BLOCKING:

There is 8.75” /22cm of negative ease built in. To knit a roomier tank, choose a larger bust size.

YARN:

3 (4, 4, 5, 5) [6, 6, 6, 7] skeins of Knit Picks “Stroll Tweed” (65% SW Merino wool, 25% nylon, 10% Donegal Tweed; ea skein has 231 yds/ 211 m; 1.8 oz / 50 g) in colorway, “Thirst Heather”, or 665 (776, 902, 1025, 1145) [1264, 1378, 1503, 1633] yds / 608 (710, 825, 937, 1047) [1156, 1260, 1374, 1493] m of ANY fingering wt or heavy fingering wt yarn you like.

Sample One: * Stroll Tweed in color “Thirst Heather” (green), which contains 65% SW
Merino wool, 25% nylon, 10% Donegal Tweed, I used approx 3.5 skeins/800 yds/175 g. (size med).

Sample Two: *Hobbii Unicorn in color “Giving” (pink), which contains 75% Merino wool, 25% polyamide, I used almost 2 skeins/820 yds/200 g. (size med).

NEEDLES:

US 3/3.25 mm, 24”/60 cm circular knitting needles for body, or size needed to obtain gauge
US 1/2.25 mm, 16”/40 cm circular knitting needles for neck + armholes, or 2 US sizes / 1mm smaller than larger needle

NOTIONS:

Darning/yarn needle
St marker
Waste yarn to hold stitches

GAUGE:

7 sts x 8 rows knit in stock st on US 3/3.25 mm needles, blocked = 1”/2.5 cm
28 sts x 32 rows knit in stock st on US 3/3.25 mm needles, blocked = 4”/10 cm

SPECIAL STITCHES:

CHEVRON & EYELET LACE: (multiple of 9 sts)
(RS) Row 1: *K4, yo, SKP, k3; rep from * to end.
(WS) Row 2: P.
(RS) Row 3: *K2, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, SKP, k2; rep from * to end.
(WS) Row 4: P.
(RS) Row 5: *K1, k2tog, yo, k3, yo, SKP, k1; rep from * to end.
(WS) Row 6: P.
(RS) Row 7: *K2tog, yo, k5, yo, SKP; rep from * to end.
(WS) Row 8: P

Copyright Notice:

Feel free to sell your finished shawls made from this pattern, however, please do not copy, alter, or sell the pattern itself. For each of your listings, you must include the following: “Pattern provided by Judy Jewell of The Autumn Acorn at http://www.theautumnacorn.etsy.com“.

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You can also purchase this pattern from The Autumn Acorn or Ravelry stores.

Let’s Begin The Free Knitting Pattern

BACK PANEL:

Beg at bottom, using larger needles, CO 99 (117, 126, 135, 153) [162, 171, 189, 198] sts.
P 3 rows, ending with a WS row.
Work rows 1-8 of Chevron & Eyelet Lace 2 (2, 2, 2, 2) [3, 3, 3, 3] times.
Work 8 (4, 8, 8, 8) [8, 8, 8, 6] rows in stock st, ending with a WS row.
Now work in stock st (while slipping the first st of ea RS row k-wise and ea WS row p-wise) while also decreasing one st at beg and end of every 8th (8th, 8th, 12th, 10th) [12th, 20th, 14th, 22nd] row 11 (13, 11, 8, 10) [8, 5, 7, 5] times. End with a RS row.
77 (91, 104, 119, 133) [146, 161, 175, 188] sts

Work dec as instructed above or refer to detailed dec explanation below:

Dec Rows Step by Step:

(RS) Dec 1 – K1, k2tog, k until 3 sts rem, k2tog, k1.
97 (115, 124, 133, 151) [160, 169, 187, 196] sts
Work 7 (7, 7, 11, 9) [11, 19, 13, 21] rows of stock st.
Dec 2 – K1, k2tog, k until 3 sts rem, k2tog, k1.
95 (113, 122, 131, 149) [158, 167, 185, 194] sts
Work 7 (7, 7, 11, 9) [11, 19, 13, 21] rows of stock st.
Dec 3 – K1, k2tog, k until 3 sts rem, k2tog, k1.
93 (111, 120, 129, 147) [156, 165, 183, 192] sts
Work 7 (7, 7, 11, 9) [11, 19, 13, 21] rows of stock st.
Dec 4 – K1, k2tog, k until 3 sts rem, k2tog, k1.
91 (109, 118, 127, 145) [154, 163, 181, 190] sts
Work 7 (7, 7, 11, 9) [11, 19, 13, 21] rows of stock st.
Dec 5 – K1, k2tog, k until 3 sts rem, k2tog, k1.
89 (107, 116, 125, 143) [152, 161, 179, 188] sts
Work 7 (7, 7, 11, 9) [11, 19, 13, 21] rows of stock st.

Size 3X ONLY: Go to Final Dec Row.
Size 5X ONLY: Go to Work Even.
Sizes XS (S, M, L, XL) [2X, n/a, 4X, n/a] ONLY:
Dec 6 – K1, k2tog, k until 3 sts rem, k2tog, k1.
87 (105, 114, 123, 141) [150, n/a, 177, n/a] sts
Work 7 (7, 7, 11, 9) [11, n/a, 13, n/a] rows of stock st.
Dec 7 – K1, k2tog, k until 3 sts rem, k2tog, k1.
85 (103, 112, 121, 139) [148, n/a, 175, n/a] sts
Work 7 (7, 7, 11, 9) [11, n/a, 13, n/a] rows of stock st.
Size 4X ONLY: Go to Final Dec Row.
Sizes XS (S, M, L, XL) [2X] ONLY:
Dec 8 – K1, k2tog, k until 3 sts rem, k2tog, k1.
83 (101, 110, 119, 137) [146] sts
Work 7 (7, 7, 11, 9) [11] rows of stock st.
Size L ONLY: Go to Final Dec Row.
Size 2X ONLY: Go to Work Even.

Sizes XS (S, M, n/a, XL) ONLY:
Dec 9 – K1, k2tog, k until 3 sts rem, k2tog, k1.
81 (99, 108, n/a, 135) sts
Work 7 (7, 7, n/a, 9) rows of stock st.
Sizes XS (S, M, n/a, XL) ONLY:
Dec 10 – K1, k2tog, k until 3 sts rem, k2tog, k1.
79 (97, 106, n/a, 133) sts
Work 7 (7, 7, n/a, 9) rows of stock st.
Size XL ONLY: Go to Final Dec Row.
Sizes XS (S, M) ONLY:
Dec 11 – K1, k2tog, k until 3 sts rem, k2tog, k1.
77 (95, 104) sts

Work 7 (7, 7) rows of stock st.
Size XS ONLY: Go to Final Dec Row.
Size M ONLY: Go to Work Even.
Size S ONLY:
Dec 12 – K1, k2tog, k until 3 sts rem, k2tog, k1. 93 sts
Work 7 rows of stock st.
Dec 13 – K1, k2tog, k until 3 sts rem, k2tog, k1. 91 sts
Work 7 rows of stock st. Go to Final Dec Row.

FINAL DEC ROW:

Sizes XS (S, L, XL, 3X and 4X) ONLY: Work 1 RS row even. Next WS row, dec 1 st only at beginning of row, purl to end. 76 (90, 118, 132, 160, 174) sts.

WORK EVEN:

Now, work even in stock st until back panel measures 15.5 (15.75, 16, 16.25, 16.5) [16.75, 17, 17.25, 17.5]” / 39 (39.5, 40, 40.5, 41.5) [42, 42.5, 43, 44] cm from CO edge. End with a WS row.

BACK PANEL ARMHOLE DECREASES:

Sizes XS (S, M, L, 3X, and 5X) ONLY:
(RS) Dec Row: K1, k2tog, k across to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
(WS) P.
Sizes XS (S, M, L) ONLY:
Rep these last 2 rows 6 (11, 15, 18) times. 62 (66, 72, 80) sts
Go to “Work Even”.

Sizes XL (2X, 3X, 4X, 5X) ONLY:
(RS) Dec Row: K1, k2tog, k1, k2tog, k across to last 6 sts, k2tog, k1, k2tog, k1.
(WS) P across.
Rep these last 2 rows 11 (14, 17, 20, 23) times. 84 (86, 86, 90, 90) sts
Go to “Work Even”.

WORK EVEN:

Now, work even in stock st for 1.5 (1, 1, 1, 2.5) [2, 2, 1.5, 1.5]” / 4 (2.5, 2.5, 2.5, 6.5) [5, 5, 4, 4] cm. End with a WS row.

BACK SHOULDER STRAPS:

K 15 (16, 19, 22, 21) [21, 20, 20, 19] sts, BO 32 (34, 34, 36, 42) [44, 46, 50, 52] sts, k 15 (16, 19, 22, 21) [21, 20, 20, 19] sts.

LEFT:

Work in stockinette st for 4 (4, 4, 3.75, 4.5) [4.5, 4, 4, 4]” / 10 (10, 10, 9.375, 11.25) [11.25, 10, 10, 10] cm, or to desired length. End on a WS row. Place sts onto waste yarn.

RIGHT:

Work in stockinette st for 4 (4, 4, 3.75, 4.5) [4.5, 4, 4, 4]” / 10 (10, 10, 9, 11) [11, 10, 10, 10] cm, or to desired length. End on a WS row. Place sts onto waste yarn.

FRONT PANEL:

Beg at bottom, using larger needles, CO 99 (117, 126, 135, 153) [162, 171, 189, 198] sts.
P 3 rows ending, with a WS row.
Work rows 1-8 of Chevron & Eyelet Lace 2 (2, 2, 2, 2) [3, 3, 3, 3] times.
Now work in stock st (while slipping the first st of ea RS row k-wise and ea WS row p-wise) while also decreasing one st at beg and end of every 8th (8th, 8th, 12th, 10th) [12th, 20th, 14th, 22nd] row 11 (13,11, 8, 10) [8, 5, 7, 5] times. End with a RS row.
77 (91, 104, 119, 133) [146, 161, 175, 188] sts
Work dec as instructed above or refer to detailed dec explanation below:
Dec Rows Step by Step:
(RS) Dec 1 – K1, k2tog, k until 3 sts rem, k2tog, k1.
97 (115, 124, 133, 151) [160, 169, 187, 196] sts
Work 7 (7, 7, 11, 9) [11, 19, 13, 21] rows of stock st.
Dec 2 – K1, k2tog, k until 3 sts rem, k2tog, k1.
95 (113, 122, 131, 149) [158, 167, 185, 194] sts
Work 7 (7, 7, 11, 9) [11, 19, 13, 21] rows of stock st.
Dec 3 – K1, k2tog, k until 3 sts rem, k2tog, k1.
93 (111, 120, 129, 147) [156, 165, 183, 192] sts
Work 7 (7, 7, 11, 9) [11, 19, 13, 21] rows of stock st.
Dec 4 – K1, k2tog, k until 3 sts rem, k2tog, k1.
91 (109, 118, 127, 145) [154, 163, 181, 190] sts
Work 7 (7, 7, 11, 9) [11, 19, 13, 21] rows of stock st.
Dec 5 – K1, k2tog, k until 3 sts rem, k2tog, k1.
89 (107, 116, 125, 143) [152, 161, 179, 188] sts
Work 7 (7, 7, 11, 9) [11, 19, 13, 21] rows of stock st.
Size 3X ONLY: Go to Final Dec Row.
Size 5X ONLY: Go to Work Even.
Sizes XS (S, M, L, XL) [2X, n/a, 4X, n/a] ONLY:

Dec 6 – K1, k2tog, k until 3 sts rem, k2tog, k1.
87 (105, 114, 123, 141) [150, n/a, 177, n/a] sts
Work 7 (7, 7, 11, 9) [11, n/a, 13, n/a] rows of stock st.
Dec 7 – K1, k2tog, k until 3 sts rem, k2tog, k1.
85 (103, 112, 121, 139) [148, n/a, 175, n/a] sts
Work 7 (7, 7, 11, 9) [11, n/a, 13, n/a] rows of stock st.
Size 4X ONLY: Go to Final Dec Row.
Sizes XS (S, M, L, XL) [2X] ONLY:
Dec 8 – K1, k2tog, k until 3 sts rem, k2tog, k1.
83 (101, 110, 119, 137) [146] sts
Work 7 (7, 7, 11, 9) [11] rows of stock st.

Size L ONLY: Go to Final Dec Row.
Size 2X ONLY: Go to Work Even.
Dec 9 – K1, k2tog, k until 3 sts rem, k2tog, k1.
81 (99, 108, n/a, 135) sts
Work 7 (7, 7, n/a, 9) rows of stock st.
Sizes XS (S, M, n/a, XL) ONLY:
Dec 10 – K1, k2tog, k until 3 sts rem, k2tog, k1.
79 (97, 106, n/a, 133) sts
Work 7 (7, 7, n/a, 9) rows of stock st.
Size XL ONLY: Go to Final Dec Row.
Sizes XS (S, M) ONLY:
Dec 11 – K1, k2tog, k until 3 sts rem, k2tog, k1.
77 (95, 104) sts
Work 7 (7, 7) rows of stock st.
Size XS ONLY: Go to Final Dec Row.
Size M ONLY: Go to Work Even.

Size S ONLY:

Dec 12 – K1, k2tog, k until 3 sts rem, k2tog, k1. 93 sts
Work 7 rows of stock st.

Dec 13 – K1, k2tog, k until 3 sts rem, k2tog, k1. 91 sts
Work 7 rows of stock st. Go to Final Dec Row.

FINAL DEC ROW:

Sizes XS (S, L, XL, 3X and 4X) ONLY: Work 1 RS row even. Next WS row, dec 1 st only at beginning of row, purl to end. 76 (90, 118, 132, 160, 174) sts

WORK EVEN:

Now, work even in stock st until front panel measures 14.5 (14.75, 15, 15.25, 15.5) [15.75, 16, 16.25, 16.5]” / 36.5 (37, 37.5, 38, 39) [39.5, 40, 40.5, 41.5] cm from CO edge. End with a WS row.

FRONT PANEL ARMHOLE DECREASES:

Sizes XS (S, M, L, 3X, and 5X) ONLY:
(RS) Dec Row: K1, k2tog, k across to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
(WS) P across.

Sizes XS (S, M, L) ONLY: Rep these last 2 rows 6 (11, 15, 18) times. 62 (66, 72, 80) sts
Go to “Work Even”.

Sizes XL (2X, 3X, 4X, 5X) ONLY:
(RS) Dec Row: K1, k2tog, k1, k2tog, k across to last 6 sts, k2tog, k1, k2tog, k1.
(WS) P across.
Rep these last 2 rows 11 (14, 17, 20, 23) times. 84 (86, 86, 90, 90) sts
Go to “Work Even”.

WORK EVEN:

Now, work even in stock st for 0.5 (0, 0, 0, 1.5) [1, 1, 0.5, 0.5]” / 1.5 (0, 0, 0, 4) [2.5, 2.5, 1.5, 1.5] cm. End with a WS row.

FRONT SHOULDER STRAPS:

K 15 (16, 19, 22, 21) [21, 20, 20, 19] sts, BO 32 (34, 34, 36, 42) [44, 46, 50, 52] sts, k 15 (16, 19, 22, 21) [21, 20, 20, 19] sts.

LEFT:

Work in stockinette st for 5 (5, 5, 4.75, 5.5) [5.5, 5, 5, 5]” / 12.5 (12.5, 12.5, 12, 14) [14, 12.5, 12.5, 12.5] cm, or to desired length. End on a WS row. Place sts onto waste yarn.

RIGHT:

Work in stockinette st for 5 (5, 5, 4.75, 5.5) [5.5, 5, 5, 5]” / 12.5 (12.5, 12.5, 12, 14) [14, 12.5, 12.5, 12.5] cm, or to desired length. End on a WS row. Place sts onto waste yarn.

FRONT NECKLINE:

Attach yarn to upper lt side of the front panel strap.
Using larger needles, pick up and k 99 (99, 99, 99, 108) [117, 108, 117, 117] sts along the lt strap, across the neckline, and up along the rt strap.
P 1 row.
Work rows 1-7 (7, 7, 7, 8) [7, 8, 7, 7] of Chevron & Eyelet Lace 1 time, all sizes.
Sizes XS (S, M, L) ONLY: Row 8 – P to last 2 sts, pfb, p1. 100 sts, all sizes.
Sizes 2X (4X, 5X) ONLY: Row 8 – P to last 3 sts, p2tog, p1. 116 sts, all sizes.
Using smaller needles, *K2, p2; rep from * across. Work 5 (5, 5, 5, 6) [6, 6, 6, 6) rows k2, p2
ribbing total.
BO loosely.

BACK NECKLINE:

Attach yarn to upper rt side of back panel strap.
Using larger needles, pick up and k 81 (81, 81, 81, 99) [99, 99, 99, 99] sts along the rt strap,
across the neckline, and up along the lt strap.
P 1 row.
Work rows 1-7 (7, 7, 7, 8) [7, 8, 7, 7] of Chevron & Eyelet Lace 1 time, all sizes.
Sizes XS (S, M, L) ONLY: Row 8 – P to last 3 sts, p2tog, p1. 80 sts, all sizes.
Sizes XL (2X, 3X, 4X, 5X) ONLY: Row 8 – P to last 2 sts, pfb, p1. 100 sts, all sizes.
Using smaller needles, *K2, p2; rep from * across. Work 5 (5, 5, 5, 6) [6, 6, 6, 6) rows k2, p2 ribbing total.
BO loosely.

SEAMING:

With rt sides facing each other, line up the front panel to the back panel. I used lobster claw st markers to hold my two pieces in place. On RS of garment, pick up 12 sts along lace edge of back of strap, then put the rest of the live shoulder sts back onto needles. 27 (28, 31, 34, 33) [33, 32, 32, 31] sts. Rep for the other back strap.

Now repeat for the front straps, then work a 3-needle BO (or mattress st) to secure the back straps and the front straps together.

Starting at underarm area, seam both sides tog, leaving a 2” / 5 cm opening on both sides of the bottom hem. This will create a split hem, which allows for more movement while wearing.
Rep for the second side.

ARMHOLE TRIM:

Using smaller needles in 16” length or magic loop, attach yarn to bottom of armpit area. Pick up and k 100 (108, 124, 128, 136) [140, 144, 148, 156] sts along the armhole.
Join to work in the rnd and pm to indicate BOR.
*K2, p2; rep from * around. Work 5 (5, 5, 5, 6) [6, 6, 6, 6) rnds k2, p2 ribbing total.
BO loosely using Jeny’s Surprisingly Stretchy BO method or your favorite stretchy BO method.
Rep for second armhole opening.
Cut yarn and finish off.

BLOCKING/FINISHING:

Soak in warm water with mild soap. Gently blot out excess water by rolling up in a towel.
Reshape and lay flat until completely dry.
Weave in all loose ends.