Whether they’re knitted or sewn (jersey or woven) — for surviving summer heat, sleeping in, or layering under blazers and sweaters for the office and the cold season, tank tops are a year-round necessity. They’re also a great chance to get to use really fabulous yarn or fabric because they require so little of it! And of course, they’re quick to make, in any form—

KNITTED: My very favorite knitted tank patterns seem to all be by Pam Allen: Togue Pond (pictured) Saco Stripes and in particular (see my hybrid version), but also Forsythia and Aster. I’m also a huge fan of the somewhat dressier Farrah by Wool and the Gang, and of Shellie Anderson’s Slope and Square, to name just a few. I have a bunch more good tank patterns bookmarked here.

SEWN / WOVEN: Pictured is Grainline’s new Willow Tank pattern. Jenny Gordy’s Wiksten Tank is the long-time darling of the indie sewing world, a pattern I love and have sewn a number of times, and definitely always a great option. Willow’s shaping is looking a little more current to me, especially in a cropped version like the one pictured here (from this blog post). See also: Sorbetto from Colette (free pattern) and Eucalypt from Megan Nielsen. NOTE: All of these patterns include dress-length options!

SEWN / KNIT: I’ve mentioned this a few times already and am SO excited about it — Fancy Tiger’s new Adventure Tank pattern. [[<<——UPDATE: It’s live.]] It technically publishes this Friday but OR you can download it now (I already have!) via the Creativebug class, if you’re a member. The pattern includes both the racerback tank pictured above and a muscle tee version, which I am so hot to sew I can’t even tell you!

As always, please feel free to share your favorite tank patterns in the comments below—

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PREVIOUSLY in Make Your Own Basics: The crewneck cardigan