Tang

Tang Top by Sarah Hatton

What is Being Made

The Tang Top is a knitted garment designed to fit bust sizes ranging from 81cm to 117cm (32 to 46 inches). This intermediate-level knitting project creates a fitted top with structured armhole shaping and a shaped back neck and shoulder construction. The pattern includes eight size options to accommodate a wide range of body measurements, with the actual bust width when laid flat ranging from 43cm to 61cm across the different sizes.

Knitting Techniques Used

This pattern employs several key knitting techniques appropriate for an intermediate skill level. The garment begins with a stockinette stitch foundation and progresses through systematic armhole shaping using both single decreases and paired decreases to create a tapered fit. The pattern utilizes slip-stitch decreases (sl1, k1, psso) and knit-together decreases (k2tog) on the right-side rows, paired with corresponding purl-together decreases (p2tog and p2togtbl) on the wrong-side rows. The decreases are worked at strategic intervals—initially at the beginning of consecutive rows to establish the armhole shaping, then transitioned to alternating rows for a more gradual taper. The construction includes shaped back neck and shoulder sections, indicating a tailored fit through the upper body.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette Stitch (st st): The primary stitch throughout the garment, created by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side, producing a smooth, classic fabric
• Slip Stitch Decrease (sl1, k1, psso): Used for left-leaning decreases on right-side rows during armhole shaping
• Knit Two Together (k2tog): Creates right-leaning decreases on right-side rows
• Purl Two Together (p2tog): Standard decrease on wrong-side rows
• Purl Two Together Through Back Loop (p2togtbl): Creates a left-leaning decrease on wrong-side rows for balanced shaping

Materials

The Tang Top is designed to be worked in Schachenmayr Catania Grande, a worsted-weight yarn composed of 100% cotton. This yarn is supplied in 50-gram balls with approximately 63 meters per ball. The pattern requires between 7 and 11 balls depending on the size selected, with larger sizes requiring up to 11 x 50gm balls. The sample shown in the pattern is worked in Coral 3252, a warm coral colorway. The pattern specifies using 4.5mm needles for the main body of the garment after any initial setup rows, allowing the worsted-weight cotton yarn to create a fabric with good drape and structure suitable for a fitted top.

Pattern Specifications

The garment measures 52 to 59cm in length depending on size, providing coverage appropriate for a top. The armhole depth ranges from 19cm to 22cm, creating a comfortable fit through the shoulder and underarm area. The pattern provides detailed row-by-row instructions for shaping, with specific stitch counts given for each of the eight sizes throughout the construction process.