the blue blog archives: r2, I love you

The r2 saga is finally over! I fixed her and finished her, and she's everything I'd hoped for. I love the fit - the extra added ease is a nice change from my usual snug summer knits. There was some concern that knitting the r2 paper yarn down on US7's (the patterns call for like US11's) might make the top too hot, but the ribbon feels cool against my skin and that added ease leaves the top nice and breezy. I mostly followed the Phildar tiny tank pattern (from their Summer 2003 catalog) with modifications for my different gauge, but added the ribbing at the bottom, 'cause I've seen this paper yarn roll like a, well, you know. There's still some rolling in the back, but I think it looks sexy - I can handle being a little more naked on the back (no stretch marks back there!). When it came time to add the ties, I decided to simply use the ribbon yarn itself to make straps. The front ribbing wanted to poof out a little (a problem that I also have with my chickami), so I decided to run the ribbons from the shoulders through the ribbing and tie them together in the center. Not only did the solution work, it gives the whole tank a sweeter, more feminine look. Yay!

posted by alison at 12:03 am | in r2t2

Comments

That is fabulous! The skinny little straps and tie in the front really make it! You look gorgeous, as usual!

Posted by: LauraA at August 9, 2004 1:23 AM

That's really cute! And you look terrific too :o) Paper yarn sounds very interesting.

Posted by: lyn at August 9, 2004 1:39 AM

That looks fantastic. Proof that you can make a gorgeous top out of wacky yarn! It is so much nicer than most of the designs in the R2 magazine.

Posted by: kerrie at August 9, 2004 4:04 AM

That looks great on you.I echo what Kerrie said - so much nicer than the garments designed for the yarn.
Very pretty. :0)

Posted by: Emma at August 9, 2004 5:02 AM

i love that top. def agree with the others. a great pattern for that yarn. very sweet top. the ribbing, the tie, the straps, i just love it!

Posted by: froggy at August 9, 2004 6:04 AM

That's a great little top. Love the pink colour and the straps and bow are the ideal finishing touch.

Posted by: Linda at August 9, 2004 6:38 AM

Very cute! I'm so impressed with that grafting job. No way would I have the patience to graft with that yarn. Love your white background, too. Reminds me of my senior photos. White on white was all the *rage* back then. :)

Posted by: Kerstin at August 9, 2004 7:00 AM

Look how cute you look in your new tank. : ) Lovely job.

Posted by: Cindy at August 9, 2004 7:07 AM

R2 makes you glow! It looks very sweet and fresh - just lovely!

Posted by: Sarah C. at August 9, 2004 7:34 AM

WOW! That is the cutest little summer top. I love the tie. It makes it look very feminine. Color is fabulous also. You look great in her. Great job!! :-)

Posted by: Eilene at August 9, 2004 8:19 AM

Yes, you can r2. It looks smashing. Are you nearing an unveiling of the Habu tank -- or did I miss it?

Posted by: Gina at August 9, 2004 8:21 AM

Gina is right, smashing! It looks so light and airy.

Posted by: Amy at August 9, 2004 8:35 AM

that is super cute!

Posted by: shobhana at August 9, 2004 8:56 AM

Your tank is fabulous, Alison! I really like the color... makes me want to make one for myself...

Posted by: Deborah at August 9, 2004 9:01 AM

that is so summery...it does look light and airy.

way to r2~

Posted by: Heather at August 9, 2004 9:22 AM

Wow, that is one amazing tank -- it looks fabulous on you! I was skeptical about the paper R2 yarn, but not anymore . . .

Posted by: chris at August 9, 2004 9:22 AM

That color is so pretty -- and it looks great on you! Love the tank!

Posted by: Lisa at August 9, 2004 9:30 AM

Okay Tankgirl, that is one HOT tank. I love it!

Posted by: sharlyn at August 9, 2004 9:44 AM

Very sneaky way to add the straps. Looks great!

Posted by: Amy at August 9, 2004 10:11 AM

Beautiful. Love it. You look great. The patterns in that R2 book are definitely not for me, but you have made me more interested in the yarn!

Posted by: Karen at August 9, 2004 10:32 AM

It came out GREAT! I love it! And just in time for a few more weeks of summer.

Posted by: Jackie at August 9, 2004 10:50 AM

Bee-yoo-tee-full. What an adorable top! You look absolutely lovely!!

Maybe I can R2 too!

Posted by: carrie at August 9, 2004 11:21 AM

Gorgeous! I love your modifications, it looks very comfortable.

Posted by: Kristi at August 9, 2004 11:30 AM

BEAUTIFUL! Very clever how you turned this yarn into such a snappy tank with its cute tie. You look so pretty in it, too. You're the perfect model for your knits!

Posted by: Becky at August 9, 2004 11:38 AM

That's a great tank and looks wonderful on you. Great modifications!

Posted by: Silvia at August 9, 2004 12:09 PM

That's a very sweet top. Nice job.

Posted by: Jessica at August 9, 2004 12:12 PM

Alison, that is so beautiful! I wish I could have done the same with my R2 yarn! It's stunning!

Posted by: Clara at August 9, 2004 1:38 PM

Gorgeous tank! I love the bow, what a great way tame the poof. Your job on the grafting is incredible. I bet it was a nightmare with that yarn!

Posted by: rae at August 9, 2004 2:13 PM

Super cute! I love that bow, and the color suits you!

Posted by: Jenny at August 9, 2004 2:20 PM

You're looking wonderful and the r2 is just fitting you perfect.

congratulations!!

Posted by: Eve at August 9, 2004 4:15 PM

Looks great!

Posted by: Julia at August 9, 2004 4:57 PM

Cute. The ribbon tie is a nice touch.

Posted by: claudia at August 9, 2004 5:55 PM

Beautiful!! Both you and the garment!

Posted by: elisabeth at August 9, 2004 6:40 PM

Very cute! And the color looks great on you! Glad you got it to work despite all the wonky bits. ;)

Posted by: jenn at August 9, 2004 11:04 PM

Hello, I read your blog, um, every day. Just had to say you are so darn cute, in all your teeny tiny things, hard to believe you have twin boys. I don't look half as good as you, would need two r2 tanks, one for each boob, possibly more. Okay, that's all, I will go back in to hiding now. Thanks for great blog.
Frankie, the girl

Posted by: Frankie at August 10, 2004 1:36 AM

Thanks, everyone! I'm so happy with how this tank came out. The R2 yarn isn't for everyone, but I thought the color was so pretty, it was worth trying. So here's R2 made a little more traditional. I bet the R2 designers would have left the tank ripped in three pieces like I had it the other day! ;0)

Posted by: alison at August 11, 2004 8:57 AM