Trendy Tulsa Tank
Are you wanting a quick summer project? Something knit with nice big yarn for speedy results but one that won’t make you hot? My Sister Knits has you covered!
Blue Sky Fibers Tulsa Tank, designed by J.H. Walter, is your answer! This flattering tank is designed for Blue Sky Fibers Printed Organic Cotton or their Organic Cotton which are both listed as worsted weight on their website. It’s knit with size 9 needles, or whatever you need to match the gauge. You can finish this in time for our hottest July and August days!
Tulsa Tank made with Blue Sky Fibers Printed Organic Cotton in the Jack Frost colorway
The 5 ½” of ribbing at the bottom sets this tank off nicely and adds a distinctive touch. J.H. sets us up for easy mattress stitch seams with a knit stitch at the beginning and end of each row. Yes, there is seaming. Cotton tends to stretch lengthwise; side seams add structure which helps to avoid stretching. Once you get started, mattress stitch is fun and a little bit magical! Here is a slow motion video from VeryPink Knits that shows everything clearly. Block your pieces before you seam as that will make it much easier!
This one is made with Spincycle Plump, listed as bulky on Ravelry
The front and back are knit flat from the bottom up. To ensure a length that you like, we encourage you to find a top that you like and measure it from hem to armhole. Lay your Tulsa Tank on top of it to see how they compare before you start your armhole shaping.
Blue Sky Fibers Organic Cotton right to left: Sky, Bone, and Sleet
The shoulders are joined with a 3 Needle Bind off. Andrea Mowry has an excellent video for this. Before you start, check to see that you have the exact same amount of stitches on each needle!
The pattern doesn’t give much guidance about seaming. J.H. says to ‘join front and back shoulders using Three-Needle BO. We aren’t told which sides to have together. When you watch Andrea Mowry’s video, you can see the difference and decide for yourself! Do you want a seam that shows or one that doesn’t? Both types are fine! Maybe you want to add a little flair by having one that shows! You could always make two swatches and practice before you decide.
more Organic Cotton; right to left Pickle, Pumpkin, Dandelion
For the sides, J.H. says to ‘sew side seams’. This means mattress stitch unless you have another way you like to use. Mattress stitch makes a beautiful invisible seam so it’s the one used most often.
In reading the project notes, some people weren’t quite satisfied with the look of the bound off neckline and armholes. If you fall into this category, you might want to work a 2-stitch I-Cord Bind Off. Usually an I-Cord Bind Off has 3 stitches, however, a 2 stitch one would be smaller and is mentioned often in the project notes.. To turn this Stephen West video into a 2-stitch bind off, cast on 2 stitches instead of 3 and knit one stitch before knitting 2 together through the back loop.
Spincycle Plump
We have one sample knit with Blue Sky Fibers Organic Cotton and two knit with Spincycle Plump, a bulky weight. You’ll want to compare the two before deciding which yarn to use!
This is a lovely, up-to-todate tank to make and wear for the rest of the summer! We’d love to see your finished projects so bring or wear them in!
Happy knitting,
