the blue blog archives: tank girl

Fixing the blog took most of my knitting time yesterday, but I found a few minutes here and there to sew up the all season's cotton top. There's still a few loose ends hanging around on the inside, but I felt like I needed to celebrate it now. I like the way it came out, although I'm a bit wary of the off-the-shoulder thing. I'm quite attached to the idea of wearing underclothes, but you know those Rebecca girls certainly aren't. It's very comfy though and the ribbing at the top that holds it up works amazingly well. It has plenty of hold, but doesn't feel tight or look too stretched out. I think the all season's cotton ended up being a great choice of yarn.

In fact, I liked the result so much that I've got many more all season's cotton tops planned. I'm scouring through my pattern books to find other little tanks that I can make with this yarn. Any suggestions? I'm thinking of trying one of the Cherries from the last Knitty and/or a short-sleeved version of Sweetness. I actually have enough of the yarn left over from this one that I could make another one exactly like it but with the colors reversed. Tempting.

posted by alison at 7:18 am | in tank girl , tank girl two

Comments

um, excuse me, you're done with that top already? wow!! looks so fun! can you wear the ribbing on your shoulders a bit? like push it up when you want, and back down when you want? i'm too old to go out w/o underclothing, in most circumstances, obviously big wool halter will be an exception, or i spend the whole day with my arms crossed!! :)

Posted by: carolyn at April 24, 2003 7:14 AM

Why not two? You are used to doing it for the boys--think of it as knitting for your "inner twin." My bets are on Sweetness next; I know how you love stripes!

Posted by: Dava at April 24, 2003 7:14 AM

The sweater looks terrific and that style attractively showcases your neck and collar bones.

Silly me, it never would have occured to me to make a short-sleeved Sweetness. I would be really interested in seeing how that turned out.

Posted by: michelle at April 24, 2003 7:36 AM

That looks gorgeous Alison! I love the colours.

Posted by: Kerrie at April 24, 2003 7:53 AM

That was fast! It looks beautiful and your stitches are so even. Great job!

Posted by: Leigh at April 24, 2003 8:11 AM

Cute sweater. I"m so jealous, I've never caught on to knitting.

Posted by: trish at April 24, 2003 8:43 AM

Simply Smashing!!! Love it. But that poor mannequin, what happened to her head? Can't wait to see the next creation.

Posted by: Chris at April 24, 2003 9:11 AM

That looks lovely on you.I like the exposed shoulder look on you - you have nice collar bones. Doesn't look like you *need* corsetry ! But if it induces anxiety a strapless bra would be a good investment - they're not all boned and uncomfortable.I have to say that i think a top in all red ASC would look great too.

Posted by: Emma at April 24, 2003 9:44 AM

Ha, ha, Chris! Funny about the mannequin. My husband had a bad day at work yesterday, so I didn't want to bother him with taking photos of my knitting. I had to do it myself with the timer and just couldn't find a piece of furniture at the right level to include my head.

Carolyn, I was thinking about the naked thing. With this top, I don't have any fears of things stretching and other things showing, but I think that's because it's knitted at a pretty reasonable gauge and produces pretty solid fabric. I have another summer top that I made using GGH's Goa yarn on US size 10s and I don't think I'd feel comfortable in that one without some underthings. Maybe I'll try a halter with the all season's cotton? Yours looks so fun!

Posted by: alison at April 24, 2003 9:48 AM

That style looks great on you!

Posted by: Kathy at April 24, 2003 9:59 AM

I have a mutual admiration for Rowan All Seasons Cotton, undergarments and tanks. My fav tank for this yarn is Pagan from Rowan #27 as I am planning a 2nd. It is a quick knit with shaping and best of all,it works with foundation garments. Have fun!

Posted by: Nora at April 24, 2003 10:18 AM

You have a lovely neck and collar bones! That was a quick knit! I really like the ribbing on the top.

Posted by: Melissa at April 24, 2003 11:01 AM

Very nice...good choice of colors and that is a nice style on you. Is the All Seasons Cotton one of those rare cotton yarns that isn't too heavy when knit up to feel right in summer?

Posted by: claudia at April 24, 2003 1:27 PM

It is gorgeous !

Posted by: Clémence at April 24, 2003 3:09 PM

I love your tank, it looks very nice on you! I find that the bold contrast between colors work very well. Good job - and fast!

Posted by: Birthe P at April 24, 2003 3:14 PM

I love this tank...it looks wonderful on. Great Knitting!

Posted by: Lisa at April 24, 2003 6:31 PM

Looking good! Bob from Knitty is another possibility for All Seasons cotton.

Posted by: Linda at April 25, 2003 6:06 AM

Thanks everyone! I really enjoyed knitting this one and am very happy that it turned out well. Can't wait for a little warm weather, so I can wear it out!

Thanks Nora and Linda for the suggestions on other tops I could make with the asc. I'm compiling a little list, which I'll share with you all next week sometime.

Claudia, I'm hoping that the asc turns out to be good for warm weather. The Goa top that I made last year is quite a bit bulkier and does feel heavy like you mentioned. I didn't get that feeling at all with this top when trying it on. I'll let you know how I like it when I finally get to wear it!

Posted by: alison at April 25, 2003 5:23 PM

Oh la laaaa!!!!! That is quite a top, and it looks fabulous on you.

Posted by: Becky at April 26, 2003 2:56 AM

alison, the finished tank looks great on you. i like the colors and think a reversed one would be pretty too. i've been trying to find a project where i can use the ASC too. i've got it narrowed down to a few.

Posted by: melissa at April 26, 2003 7:31 PM

Wowza. Awesome job, o wonder knitwoman. I, too, prefer undergarments and often wonder how the *average* (read 98% of the female population) can go without any support. I could back when I was, let's say, 12. It looks fantastic. Perhaps a skirt can be whipped up on that super duper sewing machine of yours to complement the sweater? ;)

Posted by: Kerstin at April 30, 2003 2:29 PM