A vintage-inspired top that breezes over your curves. The Ophelia Tank and Top was designed as a more modest little-sister to my Ophelia Blouse pattern. It’s worked in a whisper-light fabric from 1 strand of fingering-weight pure silk yarn, and finished with lace and crocheted picot edges. This tank comes in 9 graded sizes from 28” - 62” busts (71 - 157.5 cm), and includes suggestions on how to customize for your unique shape.

CONSTRUCTION: This top is knit seamlessly from the top-down, with short-row shoulder shaping as well as waist and hip shaping along vertical darts on the front and back. It comes with 3 arm finishing options: tank top, short cap sleeves, and long flared sleeves.

GAUGE: 24 st, 36 rows = 4” (10.16 cm) on US 2 (2.75) mm needles in stockinette, after blocking -- or with whatever needle size achieves gauge (some testers sized up to US 3 or US 4 needles). The fabric is intentionally designed to have a lot of drape and breathability, without being too sheer. If you’re having trouble meeting gauge, try using stainless steel needles.

YARN: 1 strand of Knitting for Olive Pure Silk (fingering weight 100% silk, 250m per 50g). If substituting, choose a yarn with a fiber that has drape, like silk, bamboo, alpaca, linen, mohair, or superwash merino.
Sizes 1; 2; 3 (4; 5; 6) 7; 8; 9 call for approximately:
TANK VERSION:
525; 600; 675 (775; 850; 925) 1025; 1100; 1175 yards, or
475; 550; 625 (700; 775; 850) 925; 1000; 1075 meters

SHORT SLEEVE VERSION:
850; 955; 1065 (1200; 1340; 1505) 1640; 1805; 1970 yards, or 775; 875; 975 (1100; 1225; 1375) 1500; 1650; 1800 meters

LONG SLEEVE VERSION:
1315; 1420; 1560 (1750; 1885; 2080) 2245; 2435; 2600 yards, or 1200; 1300; 1425 (1600; 1725; 1900) 2050; 2225; 2375 meters

FIT: This top is designed to be worn with neutral ease at the bust, 1.5” (4 cm) positive ease at the waist, and 2” (5 cm) of positive ease at the waist and hips. It includes tips on how to customize to add more bust increases/shaping or adjust the waist and hip shaping. Sizes 1; 2; 3 (4; 5; 6) 7; 8; 9 are intended to fit full busts:
size 1: 28 - 30” or 71 - 76 cm;
size 2: 32 - 34” or 81.5 - 86.5 cm
size 3: 36 - 38” or 91.5 - 96.5 cm
size 4: 40 - 42” or 101.5 - 106.5 cm
size 5: 44 - 46” or 112 - 117 cm
size 6: 48 - 50” or 122 - 127 cm
size 7: 52 - 54”or 132 - 137 cm
size 8: 56 - 58” or 142 - 147.5 cm
size 9: 60 - 62” or 152 - 157.5 cm
See photos for full sizing chart and schematic!

DIFFICULTY LEVEL: This pattern is best for intermediate knitters. It uses several shaping techniques, and at times requires you to keep track of multiple things at once. The pattern includes links to video tutorials for techniques used.

TECHNIQUES:

• german short rows
• right- and left-leaning increases and decreases
• picking up stitches
• english lace mesh stitch (includes both written instructions and a chart)
• crochet picot border

TOOLS:

• US 2 (2.75mm -- or whatever size meets gauge) circular needles with a cable slightly smaller than your waist circumference
• same size needle in DPNs or cable long enough for magic loop (the sleeves are knit in the round)
• 2.25-2.75mm crochet hook, for picot edge
• 6 stitch markers (4 must be locking)
• tapestry needle