The Design

“Churchmouse’s first lace garment!”

We like the juxtaposition of a modern, boxy shape and feminine lace motifs knit on a slightly grand scale. With shaped shoulders, a gently dipping neckline, and options for two different lengths, this lacy top is so easy to pop on, and feels both comfy and really pretty.

The Boxy Lace Tee was designed at a DK-weight gauge. Choose something soft and fuzzy, like Rowan Alpaca Classic, for a lightweight, airy top. For a tee that’s sleek and summery, pick a plant fiber yarn, like Hemp for Knitting allhemp6.

This eight-page pattern includes:

• Color photography by Laura Gehring
• Special Techniques
• Swatching for Gauge in Lace Pattern
• ‘Clip & Turn’ Short-Row Shaping
• Comprehensive sizing schematic
• Instructions for seaming, blocking, and finishing your piece

See how we've used this pattern!

The Details

FINISHED SIZES
Sizes: S (M, L, XL). Details given for S; larger sizes in parentheses ().
Finished bust: 45 (52, 59, 66)"/114 (132, 150, 168)cm.
To fit bust: 28–32 (34–38, 40–44, 46–50)"/71–81 (86–97, 102–112, 117–127)cm.
With approx. ease: 13-17 (14-18, 15-19, 16-20)"/33-43 (35.5-45.5, 38-48, 41-51)cm.
Finished lengths: Measured from high shoulder (where shoulder meets neck) to bottom edge.
Short version: 19½ (19¾, 20, 20¼)"/49.5 (50, 51, 51.5)cm.
Long version: 27¼ (27½, 27¾, 28)"/69 (69.5, 70.5, 71)cm.

YARN
Short version: Approx. 680 (790, 910, 1030) yds/622 (722, 832, 942)m of DK-weight yarn. Shown in pink in Rowan Alpaca Classic (131 yds/120m each), Color 116. Model is wearing size S with 13"/33cm bust ease.
Long version: Approx. 985 (1150, 1310, 1480) yds/900 (1052, 1198, 1353)m of DK-weight yarn. Shown in brown in Hemp For Knitting allhemp6 (165 yds/150m each), Color 28, Chocolate. Model is wearing size M with 17"/43cm bust ease.

NEEDLES & NOTIONS
US 6 (4mm) 24"/60cm circular needle, or size to get gauge.
US 4 (3.5mm) 16"/40cm circular needle, or two sizes smaller than gauge needle.
4 stitch markers.
20 locking markers.
4 spare circular needles (gauge size or smaller), so you can knit off of needle from either end; or you can use waste yarn.
Darning needle to finish.

GAUGE
18 sts/27 rows = 4"/10cm in large lace motif, after blocking.

KNITTER'S NOTES
The simple lace motifs in this pattern work well with a wide variety of yarns. Just be sure to swatch before starting your project. Although swatching in a lace pattern takes a bit more effort, you'll find that it gives you the chance to become more comfortable reading through the pattern and chart–well worth the time!

When working with lace patterns, we like to use needles with long, tapered tips to help with decreases. And because it can be easy to miss an increase or decrease, we like to count our stitches often to make sure we're still on track.