The Oolong 烏龍 Tank is a delicate and delicious lace top inspired by the tea plant Camellia sinesis from which black, white, green, oolong, and pu-erh teas are made.

Choose a yarn that has some silk or linen content in it for a wonderful warm-weather statement piece. This delightful top is knit bottom up in the round, and then the leafy lace panels gently part to create a beautiful neckline after the front and back are split.

When you’re all done, it’ll be perfect for summer layering over a sassy bralette or slip dress while enjoying a cold glass of bubble tea.

Optional bust darts create the perfect fit.

Download a preview document with full schematics, bust dart measuring information, and more here.

10% of net sales from this pattern will go towards supplies for Feed the People Garden Project in St. Louis, which is a community gardening project aiming at growing and providing fresh food to folks in their immediate neighborhood.

Sizes
A (B, C, D) (E, F, G) (H, I, J) to fit upper bust measurement 31 (34.25, 37.5, 40.75) (44, 47.25, 50.5) (53.75, 57, 60.25)” / 77.5 (85.5, 94, 102) (110, 118, 126.5) (134.5, 142.5, 150.5) cm

And full bust measurements of 30 (34, 38, 42) (46, 50, 54) (58, 62, 66)” / 75 (85, 95, 105) (115, 125, 135) (145, 155, 165) cm

Finished circumference of 31.25 (35.25, 39.25, 43.25) (47.25, 51.25, 55.25) (59.25, 63.25, 67.25)” / 78 (88, 98, 108) (118, 128, 138) (148, 158, 168) cm

Choose a size based on upper bust measurement. Shown on sample model with 1.5” / 3.5 cm positive ease in the full bust in Size B.

The front of the pattern is 0.25 (0.5, 0.5, 0.75) (0.75, 1.25, 1.25) (1.5, 2.25, 2.25)” / 0.5 (1, 1.5, 2) (2, 3, 3) (4, 5.5, 5.5) cm wider than the back to accommodate bust tissue given the relatively small amount of ease, and optional bust darts are included in the pattern to add up to 4” / 10 cm vertical length in the front.

Yarn Selection & Yardage
2 (2, 2, 2) (2, 2, 3) (3, 3, 3) skeins of Big Little Yarn Co Alpaca Silk Fingering (70% Baby Alpaca 30% Mulberry Silk/437 yds/400 m/ 100g) in colorway Emishi Village (shown here in the green color).

OR fingering weight in the following amounts: 500 (575, 625, 700) (775, 825, 900) (975, 1050, 1125) yards / 450 (525, 575, 650) (700, 750, 825) (900, 950, 1025) meters.

Every inch/cup size of bust darts added requires an additional 10 (15, 15, 15) (20, 20, 20) (25, 25, 25) yards or meters.

If modifying length of body, it uses about 35 (40, 45, 50) (55, 60, 65) (70, 70, 75) yards / 30 (35, 40, 45) (50, 55, 60) (65, 65, 70) meters for each 1 inch / 2.5 cm of length added.

Choose a yarn that has a lot of drapey qualities, such as an alpaca blend, with a touch of a summer fiber such as silk, cotton, or linen in it. A suggested moderately priced alternative is Purl Soho Linen Quill (shown here in white on designer).

This pattern was designed with an alpaca blend which does have some stretch to it. Be cautious when selecting silk, cotton, or linen only fibers as they’ll create less stretch and wearing comfort.

Shown here in the following yarns:

• Green sample: Alpaca Silk Fingering by Big Little Yarn Co
• Purple Sample: Organic Wool and Linen Fingering by Big Little Yarn Co
• White sample: Linen Quill by Purl Soho

Gauge
25 sts and 32 rows/rnds = 4” or 10 cm, Stockinette stitch knit flat AND in the round with Needle A

Needles
Needle A (Main Fabric)
US4 / 3.5 mm or size to obtain Stockinette stitch gauge, in the following lengths:

Any length between 24” / 60 cm to 60” / 150 cm, as long as it is shorter than chest circumference of size being knitted

Needle B
US2 / 3 mm or 2 sizes down from Needle A, in the following lengths:

Any length between 24” / 60 cm to 60” / 150 cm, as long as it is shorter than chest circumference of size being knitted
20” / 50 cm for neck edging.
DPN’s or preferred method for knitting small circumferences in the round, for arm hole edgings.

Notions
6 stitch markers, tapestry needle, waste yarn, and spare needles or DPN’s in a size smaller than Needle A for Three Needle Bind Off.

Construction Notes
This pattern is knit from the hem up, then separated for back and front. Armhole shaping is worked at the same time as V-neck shaping on the front, while on the back the neck shaping is worked at the same time as the shoulder short row shaping. Shoulder short rows are worked at the same time as lace to complete the shoulder, but the knitter can optionally choose to work these short rows in stockinette stitch instead.

Credits
Tech Editing: Heather Storta
Grading Consultant: Jen Parroccini
Layout: Symphony Chau and Aimee Sher
Photos: Roy and Aimee Sher

Accessibility

• The low vision pattern file has tagged header structure for screenreader users.
• The low vision file has 22 pt font, black text on white background, no italics, and bolded font for emphasis only throughout.
• All images in the low vision pattern have alt text.
• All charted instructions come with written alternatives.

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