The Japanese tea ceremony is considered to be a priceless gift from the host to the guests. Offering a tea ceremony signifies hospitality. Among the most important and characteristic objects and utensils for the performance of the Japanese tea ceremony are six pieces of cloth, usually made of silk, for wrapping or containing objects. One of the six pieces gives its name to this top.

Fukusa Top is a circular yoke that is worked seamlessly from the top down. The neck is worked first in plain stockinette, creating a rolling-out neckline. After that, several series of short rows are used for a comfortable and beautifully shaped finish.
The yoke is shaped with increases evenly distributed around the entire circumference of the upper body and features an elegant lace resembling growing leaves.
Sleeves are then placed on hold and the body is worked toward the hem.
The same lace pattern is worked on the hem of the top. Which is finished using the i-cord cast-off technique.
The sleeve stitches are then placed on the needles again and the stitches are bound off using an i-cord cast-off technique (for the short-sleeve version). Or the sleeve stitches are worked toward the cuffs, making some decreases only in the last round, followed by an i-cord cast-off (for ¾ sleeve length).
The top is relaxed fit and as it is knitted top-down lengths are easily adaptable.

Size 1 (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
Bust circumference of the finished top: 86 (95.5, 104.5, 118, 127, 136, 150, 159, 168) cm/ 33¾ (37½, 41¼, 46½, 50, 53½, 59, 62½, 66¼)’’. The top is designed to be worn with approximately 0-5 cm / 0-2’’ of positive ease.
Model has 85 cm / 33½’’ bust, stands 164 cm / 64½’’ and is wearing size 2.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

A = Bust circumference
B = Yoke depth
C = Length from armhole to lower edge
D = Armhole circumference
E = Sleeve length
F = Arm circumference

Yarn
Heritage Silk, Cascade yarns, 100g = 400m (85% Superwash Merino Wool / 15% Silk)
or other fingering weight yarn
Short sleeve version:
650 (700, 750, 830, 950, 1030, 1100, 1200, 1290) meters / 711 (765, 821, 908, 1039, 1127, 1203, 1312, 1410) yds
¾ sleeve version:
730 (780, 860, 1030, 1240, 1350, 1490, 1570, 1700) meters / 798 (853, 940, 1126, 1356, 1476, 1629, 1717, 1860) yds

Needles
3 mm / US 2½ circular needle 24”/60 cm or 32”/80 cm and 3,5 mm / US 4 circular needle 24”/60 cm or 32”/80 cm

Notions
1 stitch marker • waste yarn for holding the sleeve stitches • tapestry needle to weave in the yarn ends

Gauge
20 sts and 34 rows — 10x10 cm / 4x4’’ in stockinette in the round with 3,5 mm / US 4 needles, washed and blocked.