StrappyApril 7, 2004

Welp, this tank is pretty cool. It also reminds me that I need to hit the streets, for a walk and some yoga later. My arms! Oy. This is a headless picture since I haven't had a shower and my eyes are having an allergy attack. You've seen my mug enough, anyhow. And this is the only shot where you couldn't see my upper arms (YOU try taking a picture of yourself in a tank while avoiding those parts):

And THIS is what happens when I try to take mirror shots.

I really liked the Lion-Brand Microspun (color 144). I used about 4 skeins, perhaps a little less, and while it is splitty and a little finicky, it's so SOFT. And inexpensive, to boot. Pattern is from the new Spring/Summer 2004 Vogue Knitting.

Now.

I have a friend who has done a LOT for me in my move. He's a good guy, and a good friend, and he's giving me a couch. So I'm gonna make him a sweater. Now that the tank is done, I can dive right in. I'm using Galway Highland Heather in a deep grey, and I want something simple but not boring. I'm thinking a 3x1 top-down raglan, but I'll have to do some swatching experiments. I cannot believe I now both swatch and mattress stitch. I used to be so proud of the fact that I DIDN'T CARE. Now I do. Don't tell.

Comments

[Kira]

Sexy lady! Seriously, this looks so much better on you (even headless and armless) than the version in VK. The color's much nicer, too.

[Stonering]

I think it's the blog influence. I'm swatching, and mucking around with changing patterns to make them the way I want to. I'd never have tried that before. (Before what? I don't know.)

Is 3X1 3 knit, 1 purl? I'll be intersted to see how that works with the raglin increases. I'm doing them in a k1p1 rib right now, and keeping the rib streight. But I'm kindof amazed that it's working. :-)

[Stonering]

Wow, the picture of the Strappy Tank on you is really sharp. It looks great. And my spouse, grinding coffee beside me says "Striking!"

[Marie]

WOW! I agree with Kira - yours looks SO MUCH BETTER than the mag model.

[Sonja]

Rachael, the tank looks lovely on you. It's flattering and feminine.

[Erica]

Yes indeedy, you do look smashing in that tank. Gorgeous!

[Bliss]

Wow, Ms. Thang - you look gorgeous in that tank! The Vogue model is jealous, now she knows what the peekaboo part was for.

[rock chick]

I love that tank. Seeing how great it looks on a fellow member of the "packin' rack" club, it is now on my list!

As for men's sweaters, check out the new Jaeger men's book. Hell, surf around to look at the pics - great ideas for simple men's sweaters. Cool without the old fogey factor.

[Carrie]

Damn girl! You are looking hot in that tank. What a pretty pattern, and you knitted it so fast. Great job!

[michelle]

Ha-cha-cha! Looking good. I think you need one in every color of Microspun.

[Stephanie]

Hubba hubba! :)
Seriously, I didn't care for that tank when I saw the mag, but now I'm thinking I need to make it!

[ann]

Woo-Hoo!! you are some hoochie mamma in that tank! when they see you coming, believe me, no one is going to be looking at your arms!!!

[amisha]

I am cracking up about the "packin' rack" club... you have a sympathetic fellow member right here! Rachael, you are a *rockstar*!! That tank is freakin' beautiful. Just the perfect thing for going out and living the springtime and soaking up the sun... yay!

[Marie]

What a beautiful and flattering tank! Love the color too. And you didn't swatch before as well? Wow!

[marcia]

Dang girl, you gotit goin' on. That tank looks fab on you. I don't think I could carry it off though, which makes me feel, well, a little can't tank-erous. I never used mattress stitch until I joined blog world either. I knew about it, but thought it was just for the upper knittin' class.

BTW, you're more than welcome to come see the Michigan Ocean up close and personal this summer. We can have a girl's weekend!

[Kyla]

Hel-lo! A lovely job, thanks for the tip about the LB microspun.

[Karen]

Good grief, it looks nice on you! I had been thinking about making that too but now that I see yours, (realizing that I'm about a 34 AA on top) I don't think I have the heart!! Oh well. Plenty of other designs out there for flat-chested me. You definitely look SMASHING in it.

[rachel m.]

dude, you look HOTTTT.

awesome job.

[maryse]

that came out very nicely! and like the others who have left comments, i wasn't all gung ho about this pattern when i saw it. but now that i've seen it on you, i may have to make it myself. as for swatching. lately that's all i've done. i'm actually one of those people who likes to swatch. but i never end up making anything. i'm a disgrace.

[maryse]

that came out very nicely! and like the others who have left comments, i wasn't all gung ho about this pattern when i saw it. but now that i've seen it on you, i may have to make it myself. as for swatching. lately that's all i've done. i'm actually one of those people who likes to swatch. but i never end up making anything. i'm a disgrace.

[maryse]

oops sorry about the double post.

[deborah klement]

The top is absolutely FABULOUS on you.
The colour really suits you too.
Oh how I wish I wasn't a 44 DD and could wear such gorgeous tops!
I'll have to show it to my 18 1/2 yr old and see if she wants to try and make herself one...

Debbie in finally, sunny Hamilton,Ontario,Canada

[pj]

For a man's sweater, check out Cabin Fever's Ridgeway, or Ridgeway Lite. It's a manly sweater. A man I know knit one for himself and it looks fantastic, plus it has interesting construction details.

Your tank looks fab.

[Stefanie]

To quote Chachi, "yowza yowza yowza!"

[maggi]

Girlfriend, you look GOOD! What size needles? I used that for C's green hoodie, the first sweater I knitted in this decade/century. Later I found out there was a mistake in the pattern and it was s'posed to be held double, but it turned out fine ~ Bring that tank east!

[Sandee]

WOOHOO! The tank looks faboo sexy on you!

[Melanie]

I'm a long-time lurker--thank you for writing such an entertaining blog!

When you're making the sweater for your friend, just make sure he's willing and able to take care of woolens properly.

I didn't know that there was any other way to operate until I started dating a guy who merrily threw not one but two gorgeous handknitted wool sweaters in the washer and dryer and created felt. Small, snug-fitting felt pullovers, suitable for a small child as opposed to a big, burly guy. It was very sad. Now I know to make him sweaters of indestructible acrylic. Hopefully your friend understands How To Do Laundry Properly so this kind of tragedy can be averted.

[greta]

Holey SMOKES! Good thing you work with cops, girlfriend...you are gonna need some serious Body Guards if you go out in that TANK. Headless and armless, you still make the Vogue model look
insignificant. Venus, you ROCK! As for the
mattress stitch...don't get me started...the possibilities for word play boggle the MIND.

[Em]

Homina homina homina homina a-WOOOOOOOOO-ga!

That is seriously one frickin' AWESOME tank. Bring it east and you're going to have to fend 'em off, you know.

[jody]

I agree with the other posters. That tank looks so much better on you than on the cover. Your lovely shape most certainly does the design justice. And I'm sure that Microspun feels wonderful against your skin.

Is it tank weather out in Oakland yet? I'm still in lightweight wool here in Jersey :(

[Nathania]

Rachel, the tank is fab on you. I knew I wanted to knit this baby from the instant I saw it on the front cover. Now I'm more convinced than ever. Mine will probably be pink... since everything else in my life is. Did you do any additional increases in the bust? Packin' a 36D rack I've noticed many patterns are designed for the less amply endowed. Plotting and scheming to be able to buy at least a little yarn on Sat. Maybe enough for a tank???

[Leslie/Nake-id Knits]

Wow! Gorgeous!

[Mandy]

Wow, you look fab in your new tank! Great job...:)

[Lorette]

That is one lovely piece of knitting. Nobody's going to be looking at your arms, so don't bother with the yoga!

[J Strizzy]

Damn, girlie! When I saw that tank on the mag cover I said "eh,", but on you it looks HOT. The model was all slumpy and hers was loose, but in a more fitted size and with good posture, it's a stunner.

And quick too! I think it was just a couple of weeks ago you were wondering whether the mag was even out yet...

[sarah b.]

I echo the other comments that I didn't care too much for this tank until I saw it on you! I may just have to make it. Thanks!

[Allison]

You are looking absolutely gorgeous! You may have inspired me to knit this tank. I liked the look of it in VK but it seemed so shapeless but maybe that was just the model. Yours is very curvy which is how I like them!

[froggy]

Wow! Great tank! Definitely better on you than the model! I have to add that to my long list of must dos now. I'll have to try that microspun.

[Kathleen]

Fab tank. And you look great. I can show you some REAL armpit flab! :) Love the color too.

[Christy]

You sell this tank, Rach! It looks amazing on you!

And let me say, your skin is flawless- yes I know we're only talking about shoulders and chest area- but the color and peek-a-boos highlight the even tone of your skin.

It looks awesome on you!

[elizabeth]

Damn Girl! Sexy! I must run out & buy vogue knitting for that pattern. I think you will personally be responsible for increasing Vogue's sales. Thanks for the invite for knitting on Sat but I don't think I'll be able to make it. I have to get my place together enough to host easter dinner on sunday. Yikes! Next time though. I've never been to Article Pract and really want to go. buy some yarn goodness for me. :)

elizabeth

[Droolin' Nina]

Girl- Are you trippin'? You look so hot in your new sweater! Your eyes must be having an allergy attack, because you look A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! Go on with your bad self! Oh, and I hope you feel better soon.
-Nina

[Tracy]

Daaayyyyyy-ummmm.

[max]

MY GOODNESS! Gorgeous tank on a FABULOUS figure!
Honey, let me tell ya, You are going to turn some
Heads!

[Rob]

Hubba Hubba! VERY nice

Matt started that same tank on Tuesday (no, not for him) in a lovely shade of yellow using Filati King KIM, a chained cotton. I like your version MUCHOS......

[Sheila]

The tank top came out wonderfully and fits you very well. Great Job!

[Sheila]

The tank top came out wonderfully and fits you very well. Great Job!

[Kerstin]

Wow, that's the same tank as on the cover??? It looks amazing on you!

[Cruz]

Lovely top on a lovely girl!

Re: the sweater for a man question, have you seen the sweater that Theresa ( The Keyboard Biologist) is thinking of making for her hubby? Check it out on her blog; it is quite hansome looking.

[renee]

woo hoo! sexy lady!!

[Carrie]

Ha-cha-cha!

You better be getting a cut of Vogue's sales after this posting...The tank is fab and you look great! How much did you change the pattern by using the Lion Brand Microspun?

[alison]

Call 911! The photo of Rachael in her hot-hot-HOT and sexy new tank burned my eyeballs! WOW! You look AWESOME! Beautiful job, and what a lovely colour.

[cari]

Go away for a few days and look what I miss! What they said! You look gorgeous, lady!

[cari]

Go away for a few days and look what I miss! What they said! You look gorgeous, lady!

[Paula]

What they all said; ditto.
My first reaction was gosh... she must be cold wearing a tank top this time of year! Then I remembered you don't have snow on the ground as we still do way up here on the East Coast.
The top looks great wonderful job.

[amy]

SEXY!!
wow - that looks great on you. oooh I need to make it although I don't think it will look as good on me.

[Carol]

Wowsa!!! Gorgeous tank (and nice filling too). Now if I was just a wee bit close to San Francisco than VA

[Carol]

Wowsa!!! Gorgeous tank (and nice filling too). Now if I was just a wee bit closer to San Francisco than VA

[Carol]

Wowsa!!! Gorgeous tank (and nice filling too). Now if I was just a wee bit closer to San Francisco than VA

[Alysia]

OMG WOW it looks great on you!! I was loving that pattern on the cover, but then didn't like the baggy fit on the inside of the magazine. You've made me re-think it - I'm assuming the yarn substitution enabled a closer fit? WOW again - it is HOT HOT HOT!! *claps loudly*

[Alysia]

Ok - can you please compare the knitted measurements and your body measurements - you know, like *percentage-wise,* how much smaller is it? [you don't need to give actual body measurements if you don't wanna! ;)]

[Becky]

Adding one more wolf whistle to the entry:

HUZZAH!!!!

Watch out world. It's SUPER TANK GIRL!

[nathalie]

i'm going to make it now i've seen it on you! it looks really good and it fits you well. bravo!

[deb]

OMG! The tank looks absolutely HOT!!! I liked it from the first time I saw it, but YOUR version I like even better! And Microspun comes in such cool bright colors. OOOHHHH!!!! I must, must, must put this one on the "to knit" list. What size did you make? Did you double the yarn?

[Sara]

I saw this issue of Vogue and the photo of this tank and thought, "eh." Totally underwhelmed.
Then I saw the photo of you in it and VA-VOOM! I rushed out and bought a copy right then! You make that tank look much more appealing than the model in VK.
I'm going to start with the weights (for my arms) and knit myself one of these!
Thanks for the inspiration.

:-)

[Darbabe]

Is the pattern for your tank in the 2004 or 2005 Vogue? Or, if you have typed directions, could you please e-mail? I came across your site by error - but glad I did because I love to knit! Very nice!