Wren Tank
NAMED FOR THE SMALL spirited canyon wren—a bird whose cheerful song echoes through the canyons, cliffs, and rocky outcrops of the American West—the Wren Tank draws inspiration from this bird’s delicate presence in dramatic desert landscapes.
I’ve always been drawn to how something so small and graceful can thrive in such stark terrain. Hearing their long, cascading call bounce off canyon walls feels like a reminder that beauty and resilience exist even in the most rugged places.
This tank captures that same spirit. It’s refined but unassuming, with an airy lace pattern that’s breezy and effortless. The simple construction and easy-to-to-memorize stitch pattern make it an approachable project, while the delicate eyelet details and flattering V-neck give it an elegant finish. Like its namesake, this top is simple but full of charm—just as at home layered over a button-down and jeans on a cool desert morning as it is worn solo in the heat of the day or dressed up for a night out. I chose a warm, coppery brown for my sample to mirror the canyon wren’s plumage, further connecting the piece to its original muse.
I hope this top becomes a warm-weather staple in your wardrobe, and that when wearing it, you feel a bit of the canyon wren’s resilience and grace in yourself.
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Design: The Wren Tank is a relaxed V-neck tank top with an airy, feminine aesthetic. An easy-to-memorize allover lace stitch pattern creates visual interest without complexity—making this an ideal project for lace knitting beginners or those seeking a meditative knit with elegant results. Short row shaping at the shoulders creates a contoured fit across the upper body, ensuring the neckline sits comfortably without gaping. The neckband and armhole trim are finished in classic 1×1 ribbing. The result is a versatile, lightweight tank that’s perfect for layering or wearing on its own in warm weather.
Construction: This tank is knit seamlessly from the top down with a split yoke construction. Stitches are cast on for the back yoke, which is worked flat and then placed on hold. Each front shoulder is picked up along the corresponding shoulder edge of the back yoke. The front shoulders are worked flat with V-neck shaping until the two sides meet at center front. The pieces are then joined together by casting on stitches at the center front neck and both underarms to form the lower body, which is then worked in the round to the hem. Finally, stitches are picked up to work the neckband and armhole trim in the round.
Fit: This garment is designed to be worn with 0 to 10 in. (0 to 25 cm) of positive ease at the upper chest. To determine your ideal size, begin by measuring your upper bust (just under the arms, above the full bust). Then add your desired amount of ease, and select the size with a finished upper chest circumference closest to that total. If you are new to choosing a garment size based on your upper bust, I’ve created a road map that walks you through the process.
Choosing Yarn: This tank features allover lace that shows best in yarns with good drape and clear stitch definition. The sample uses a silk/ linen blend, creating fluid fabric with subtle sheen and crisp lace texture. Other fibers will work beautifully too—wool, wool blends, cotton, bamboo, or other plant-based summer yarns. Consider drape and elasticity: Fibers with less stretch (linen, cotton, silk, Tencel) create relaxed, flowing fabric with maximum drape. Wool and wool blends offer more elasticity and body, holding their shape more firmly while still draping well. For best lace definition, choose smooth, well-plied yarns. Avoid very fuzzy or haloed fibers, which will obscure the lace detail.
Yarn Estimates: The yarn estimates provided in this pattern are approximations, calculated to allow for both a sizable swatch and the sweater, with a small margin of error. Your actual yarn usage may vary based on factors such as your personal gauge, the yarn’s characteristics (e.g., fiber content, ply, thickness), and any modifications you make to the pattern.
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SIZES
(1, 2, 3)(4, 5, 6)(7, 8, 9)FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Chest Circumference (Upper and Full)
(36, 40.25, 44.75)(49, 53.5, 57.75)(62.25, 66.5, 71) in.
(90, 100.5, 112)(122.5, 134, 144.5)(155.5, 166.5, 177.5) cmUpper Arm Circumference
(17.5, 18, 19.5)(21, 21.5, 22.5)(24.5, 26, 27) in.
(44, 45, 49)(52.5, 54, 56.5)(61.5, 65, 67.5) cmThis tank top is designed to be worn 0 to 10 in. (0 to 25 cm) of positive ease in the upper chest. The sample is shown in Size 2, worn with 9.25 in. (23 cm) of ease at the upper chest and 8.25 in. (20.5 cm) of ease at the full chest in the full-length version on a woman who is 5 ft 8 in. (173 cm) tall. See the note above on fit for more information about choosing the right size for you!
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YARN
Sport weight
Cropped Length
(160, 185, 220)(245, 270, 300)(330, 370, 405) g/(510, 585, 700)(780, 855, 950)(1045, 1175, 1285) yds or (465, 535, 640)(715, 780, 870)(955, 1075, 1175) mFull Length
(175, 200, 235)(260, 290, 320)(355, 395, 430) g/(555, 635, 745)(825, 920, 1015)(1125, 1255, 1365) yds or (505, 580, 680)(755, 840, 930)(1030, 1150, 1250) mSUGGESTED YARN
Magpie Fibers Equinox (115 g/365 yds (334 m)) – 65% Silk, 35% Linen
Cropped Length
(2, 2, 2)(3, 3, 3)(3, 4, 4) skeins
Full Length
(2, 2, 3)(3, 3, 3)(4, 4, 4) skeins
The sample tank is knit in the colorway Spicy Beaver. -
NEEDLES
Needle A (body): US 5 (3.75 mm)
Needle B (ribbing): US 3 (3.25 mm)For each needle size, you will need circular needles measuring 24 in. (60 cm) to 50 in. (125 cm), depending on the finished chest circumference of your chosen size and your preferred method for smaller circumference knitting (such as magic loop, short circular needles, or double-pointed needles).
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GAUGE
Measure gauge on Needle A flat and in the round, after blocking.22 sts and 28 rows = 4 in. (10 cm) in lace stitch pattern
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Knitting
Purling
Yarn overs
Lace knitting
Increasing
Top-down construction
Knitting flat
Knitting in the round
German twisted cast-on
German short rows
Make 1 left increases (M1L)
Make 1 right increases (M1R)
Backwards loop cast-on
Tubular bind-off
1x1 ribbing
Picking up stitches