Debbie Bliss Orla Knitting Pattern

Orla Tank by Debbie Bliss

What is Being Made

The Orla Tank is a sleeveless pullover sweater designed to fit bust measurements from 82-127 cm (32-50 inches). This knitted tank top features a fitted silhouette with finished bust measurements ranging from 87 cm to 134 cm across five size options. The garment is worked from the bottom up and finished at the shoulder with a length to shoulder measurement between 46-50 cm (18-19¾ inches), making it suitable as a layering piece or standalone summer garment.

Techniques Used

The Orla Tank employs several intermediate-level knitting techniques. The garment is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, requiring seaming to join the pieces together. A stranded colorwork method, also known as Fairisle patterning, creates the decorative design using multiple yarn colors worked simultaneously across rows. The pattern includes buttonhole construction and button placement details, adding functional and decorative elements to the finished piece. The bottom-up construction method means knitting begins at the lower edge and progresses toward the shoulder shaping and neckline.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch structure is stockinette stitch (abbreviated as st st), which creates a smooth, classic knit fabric. The decorative elements are worked in Fairisle pattern, a stranded colorwork technique that involves carrying unused yarn colors inside the fabric while working with the active color. The pattern uses standard abbreviations including knit (k), purl (p), slip stitches (sl), and make one increases (m1) for shaping. Additional stitch techniques include skpo (slip, knit one, pass slipped stitch over) for decreasing and y2rn (yarn twice around needle) for creating deliberate yarn overs, likely used in buttonhole construction.

Materials

The Orla Tank is designed to be knitted with Debbie Bliss Erin Tweed yarn, a wool-blend fiber available in seven coordinating colorways. The yarn requirements vary by size: the main color Moss 011 (A) requires 3-5 balls of 50g each, while the contrast colors—Midnight 016 (B), Spice 009 (C), Teal 013 (D), Blueberry 014 (E), Wing 003 (F), and Lilac 017 (G)—each require 1-2 balls depending on the size being knitted. The pattern calls for two needle sizes: 3.50mm (US 4) needles for ribbed edgings and 3.75mm (US 5) needles for the main fabric. Additional notions include two stitch holders for managing live stitches and eight buttons for the button band closure. Gauge is critical: 24 stitches and 32 rows over 10 cm in stockinette stitch, and 27 stitches and 29 rows over 10 cm in Fairisle pattern, both measured on 3.75mm needles.

Pattern Structure and Construction Details

The pattern provides five graduated sizes with clear finished measurements and schematic details. Knitters work the body pieces flat, establishing the stockinette base before introducing the Fairisle colorwork pattern. The pattern specifies working through complete pattern repeats and includes armhole markers placed at specific row intervals. Shaping continues through the colorwork section until the piece reaches the required length from the armhole markers, ranging from 25-29 cm depending on size. The construction method requires careful attention to gauge in both stockinette and Fairisle sections, as the stranded colorwork naturally creates a denser fabric than plain stockinette. The inclusion of buttonholes and button placement indicates a front opening closure, making this a practical layering piece with both aesthetic and functional design elements.