LBT Done

I've finally finished this tank and guess what? It doesn't fit. My bust is too big to fit in there properly even after I added an extra inch of stockinette, and my bra shows - no way to adjust it either. For now I will fold it up and tuck it away until I decide what to do with it.

Here are some pics of it. I guess it needs another round of blocking. I somehow don't get good results with blocking especially with stockinette stitch. It just rolls back up like I didn't do anything to it. It still has all of its ends on it needing to be weaved in, but since its not fitting right, I'm not going to waste anymore time on it.

Thanks for the help I've gotten on it.

Shaping the shoulders

Hi guys,

This may have a simple solution, but I want to make sure I understand it. I'm at the shape the shoulders section and it says for row 2: (WS) Place a safety pin or removeable marker on (not through) working yarn and sl next st. Its this NOT THROUGH part that has me a little confused. How would I put the safety pin ON the working yarn??

Thanks in advance!

Lisa

LBT Done

I joined this knitalong not too long ago (my first) and I'm proud to say I'm done! I cast on for this on Sept 20 and finished Oct 3. I had some doubts about how the top was turning out as I was knitting. I kept trying it on with the thought "I can fix this later if I have to". Blocking helped enormously.

Yarn: Knitpicks Merino Style in “Frost” on size 7 and 8 needles.

Modifications: I didn’t switch needle sizes until the decreases and I added a row of YO, K2Tog for the ribbon to go through. Otherwise, I followed the pattern to the letter. I also tried steam blocking this time instead of my usual wet blocking odyssey.

just starting!

I'm just starting, Lisa. In fact, I just ordered my yarn today -- Rowan cotton glace in color Splendour. I thought the little cotton lace would be a nice break from all the thick woolen fall and holiday knitting I'm starting up.

Anyone else presently working on their LBT?

I'm wondering if I am the only one basically just beginning? I see alot of tanks that are done but can't remember seeing any WIPs. Here is mine from a few days ago. I am now on row 11 of my second repeat of lace.

Anyone else still working on theirs? I'd love to see pics!

Question about row 12

Hi there! I'm new to the KAL and relatively new to working lace. So I need a little help : )

In the lace pattern section in row 11, some yarn overs are created just before the purl stitch... and I'm wondering how to work them in row 12... its like a yarn over and then another wrap around the needle (I'm now not sure if I worked that yarn over before the purl correctly in row 11) ... do I work one yarn over and then let the wrap around fall off the needle? I'm not sure if I'm working this right! I hope I explained it effectively.

Thanks!

New to the KAL and I say hello to everyone!! I am hoping to swatch tonight and maybe knit a little bit of it tonight. I am using some Rowan Calmer that I had in my stash. Has anyone used it for this tank?

Hope everyone had a good weekend!

I went to see the Yarn Harlot last night in Salt Lake City and someone in the crowd was wearing a Lotus Blossom Tank in a heathery pink colour. Were you someone in this knitalong?

Stephanie Pearl-McPhee was wonderful BTW. There are pictures on my blog.

Finished mine too!

My Lotus Blossom Tank is done TOO! I'm VERY excited as this is my first knitted item that's suitable for wearing in public. I knit it out of Wendy Supreme DK Luxury Cotton and size 4 needles. (And yes, I'm wearing a hot pink skirt with a lavender colored top. It's hot and my summer wardrobe is LIMITED.) I knit the smallest size with only 4 repeats as the pattern calls for. I'm only 4'11", so I figured that would be okay. As you can see, I pretty much messed up all over the first repeat, but I knew that if I frogged, I wouldn't want to start over, so I kept at it! :-)

You can view more information about it (and my next project on the needles, yikes!) on my new and improved blog, here. I hope everyone had a GREAT Labor Day Weekend.

Me too!

I've made several mistakes, and the finishing isn't perfect, but I still love how it looks and feels! I may knit another one next year. Yarn is called "Bamboo" (bamboo 70% cotton 30%), unknown brand, and I've used about 225 grams. More info and a photo of the mysterious ball band are posted on our joint blog.

The rolling front was better once I misted and pressed it.

Finally finished

I love this tank. I knit mine 4 inches longer, like many of you did, and I just love how it turned out. I decided against using short rows in the bust area and it fits just fine.

More info is at my blog: The Giving Flower Thanks for a great KAL and some gorgeous tanks.

Soon to Blossom....

I wish I found this KAL earlier! I'm almost done, but I've had so many questions to get here.... I could have used your help. But now here I am, done with the shoulder parts, ready to sew them on -- Well, if I can figure out what the best way is. Could anyone post the close-up of the part where the shoulder meets the front? Please?

My front rolls too. I hope it will be better when it's blocked, but I would like to hear from the other knitters how you fixed this.

From the pace I knit, it won't be finished before the weekend -- I can only knit two hours a day, at most.
I will come back with a finished photo!

Tamami (one of the Designated Knitters)

I'm new, a little late and need help

Hi everyone!
I'm new to this KAL and I'm knitting my tank a bit late, as it's starting to get a bit too cool to wear it, but nonetheless, I'm forging ahead.
I'm so impressed with everyone's work, and after starting my tank in the second size and ripping it all out after the second pattern repeat because it was a tent, I'm glad to have found others with similar problems.

I'm now ready to start the armholes and I've read a lot of people have put short row in to give a bit of room in the front. I'm knitting the smallest size and I'm a size 36", so I think I should be knitting some short rows too.
Can anyone tell me how they knit the short rows??? I'm new to short rows so I don't really know what to do.
Thanks so much.
Kimberly- The Giving Flower

half finished

Hi all, finally signed up. I've been watching the blog and seeing everyone else's turn out so well.

I've been madly knitting but stopped to finish up some other ufos on my plate. I'm a bit more than half way - having finished the 4 repeats of the lotus lace (alien heads), and I'm in the stockinette now. This was taken without my flash. The color is actually a light blue.




This next one is with my flash - so you can see the color closer...Also hiding in the upper right corner are some really cute new stitch markers I found on ETSY.com (Search for "Sheep stitch markers" and you'll just fall in love with them.

I'm using Madil Eden (Cascade's Bamboo) and making the smallest size. A local store near me had knit it in the off-white color and let me try it on. Even though I am between the smallest and next smallest size, it fit me perfectly (expanded to fit!). I hope mine turns out just as well. I do plan to add about a half inch in the stockinette part, so that part will extend over the bottom of my bra. The bamboo has more drape than cotton, or the SWTC bamboo, and it hasn't split much, of course, I knit sl-o-o-o-wly through the lace part, so I was careful not to split it. Now, I hope I can knit it quick enough to catch the end of summer.

Me too, me too!

Just got mine hot off the ironing board, and I am very pleased with it! Mind you I haven't tried washing it yet, just given in a bit of a steam with the iron.

The details: 2 and a bit balls of SWTC Bamboo in sahara - love the way you get the "moire" effect with the colours. (You are supposed to only need 2 for my size so I am lucky that I was originally going to make it bigger and bought the 3rd one)
Size: small.
Needles: US size 6 and 5 Denise interchangeables.
Modifications: None really, except a half inch extra of st st before the armhole shaping.

I am glad I took notice of advice here about negative ease. It would have been huge on me if I had gone for the size that I thought should have fit.

Thank you everyone on the knitalong for all the helpful hints and encouragement. I will keep popping back to see how everyone is doing.

i finished it~~~

hey guys,
i finished my LBT this weekend! i'm really excited with how it came out. :3



yarn: rowan cotton glace in pier
needles: size 5 & 6 plymouth bamboo circulars
size: XS(?!) it's an imaginary size, i cast on 170 st instead of the 200 for the smallest size

like many of you have done, i added an inch of stockinette to the torso before the decreases. on the last pattern repeat, i only did half the pattern for just a little less length than a full one would offer, so there are 3.5 repeats here. i had never worked with cotton glace before, but i looooooove it now. for a mercerized cotton, it's really not as shiny as you think a mercerized cotton would be. i liked what ocdeviant did with her armholes, so i also used crochet (1 row HDC and SC) around the armholes and neckband. i was really worried about the neckband rolling and flopping around everywhere pre-blocking, but i steamblocked the crap out of it and it seems to be holding up rather well. i have to say, this is one of my favorite knits i've done so far!

more photos can be found on my flickr account (these two are from flickr anyway):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/honeypoo

thank you all for your help in my previous posts to this blog! *bow*

Lace part done

I have some progress to report at last! Here is a close up to show the colours - it's SWTC Bamboo Sahara. it could do with a good blocking to show the stitches better.

I have now completed up to the armhole shaping. I kept with the four repeats as I am quite short-torsoed, and I did 3.5 inches of stocking stitch before dividing.

Here is the whole thing after about an inch and a half of st st.

Not far to go - should have it done in a couple of days, if I don't have too many interruptions.

Done

Well, it's done. The seam on the left is a bit crooked, but the top isn't actually uneven -- I was tugging on it without a mirror before my husband took the picture. I like the way the colors pooled. My only complaint is that the neck won't stop rolling because my shoulders are too narrow. But there's nothing I can do about that.

Details: SWTC Bamboo in Serendipity, a little over 2 skeins. 5 lace repeats, armholes and neckline worked by picking up 1 stitch every 2 stitches, not every 1 stitch. The effect is kind of nice.

Not my usual color choice, but I'll wear it -- with another shirt under it. There's way too much midsection peeking through the lace!

It Fits!

The Facts: LBT in smallest size, 5 lace repeats, an extra couple inches in stockinette, armhole finishing is a row of single crochet and then a row of backward (crab stitch) crochet, no finishing around the neck. I used about 2.5 balls of SWTC bamboo.

Overall, I really liked this pattern (once I made a chart for the lace). My only real trouble was with the short-rows... did one side correctly and one incorrectly (with resulting holes), as I wasn't sure what I was going for... anyhow, fixed it up and it looks fine.

Finally, I love the fit and will definitely wear it a lot. Also, I really appreciate all the support and encouragement from the kal... thanks to you all I can wear my LBT this summer!

Finished

I actually finished a little while back but keep forgetting to post about it here. I wore it to work today so I'd remember. Geez. My memory.

The Lotus Blossum has finished. I'm quite thrilled with how it turned out. A note to anyone using the Southwest Trading Company Bamboo in this color. This is NOT colorfast yarn. When I came back upstairs to dry it out I noticed all the water was pink. I think there may have been tears involved had I made that mistake of soaking this with anything else. I'm not sure if it will handle a soak better next time but I'll write about it when I find out.

I added about three inches to the stockinette section to give extra length. I love it now and am really happy I decided to make that change. Hope everyone is having fun making theirs.

Finally got started... again

After having to stop to get some other things finished I am finally back on my LBT. After taking everything that everyone else has said and done into account I decided to frog what I had done and start again. I have decided to go down to the small size and see how it goes. I have done one lace repeat and the plain rows of the second. I am so looking forward to the evening when I can sit down in front of the TV and get some more done.

I hope I get it done while the weather is still nice enough to wear it this year.

Getting Started

It's been great seeing everyone's completed and "in process" tanks. Here's my progress so far....I'm in the middle of the second repeat.

I'm using Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece. This is my first garment and have really been enjoying this pattern. Now if I could just have more time to work on it!!

question on negative ease

i'm about done with the lotus pattern repeats and am going to start the stockinette portion soon. i'm knitting an imaginary XS size - i cast on 170 st instead of 200 because 200 was coming out too big. i'm still using size 5 needles, though.

what's interesting is that my gauge matches the 22 st = 4" in St st as written in the pattern. so with some math done, i found that if i don't decrease where the pattern instructs me to, the stockinette portion will be about 31 inches around. i have a 32 in bust, so that would result in 1 inch of negative ease. i want this top to be fitted and fairly body-hugging and i hope the 1 inch of negative ease will help me achieve that.

have/are any of you gone with negative ease? if so, how much?

New ... and done!

Although I just officially joined the KAL, I finished my lotus blossom tank on Tuesday. I've been reading all your posts as I knitted and enjoyed the useful tips and great pictures!

I had originally started on the smallest size in June, but after completing 3 lace repeats I tried it on to find that it was huge (my swatching had led me to use a US 6 Denise for the main needle). I wanted it to be fairly body hugging, and it was more like a tent.

So, I swatched some more, frogged the whole thing, and started over on July 3rd with a bamboo US 4 for my main needle. I did 5 repeats of the lace and added an inch or so to the stockinette portion of the bodice.

I made two big errors that I discovered late enough that I decided not to fix them (I'm a fairly new knitter and, apparently, not a perfectionist type!). I accidentally increased 1 stitch early on in the 7.5" of stockinette on the upper part of the back -- so I K2tog during the first shoulder shaping row when I discovered it. Also, I had never done short row shaping before and didn't know I needed to "hide" the wraps (I neglected to look in the back of the magazine -- like an idiot!), so my left shoulder shaping is a little wonky looking. Additionally, I had to get a third ball of the bamboo yarn that was from a somewhat different looking dye lot, but I joined it at the shoulders on both sides, and it's not too annoying.

I am blocking the tank now (photo is pre-blocked), and will be wearing it for real soon!

Oh, frustration...

I am giving up for the time being on Lotus Blossom Tank. I've tried to knit this thing several times. First, I twisted my stitches while joining in the round. On subsequent attempts, I screwed up the lace pattern and could not figure out where I had goofed. So it is currently sitting there in the corner of my office, lonely, needing love. I will re-start it again sometime in the future. I like the pattern. It's pretty. I just need a break.

Work in Progress shot

Here is the picture also appearing on my blog, the WIP, about 2 cm till short rows shot of my LBT. I even love the pooling. See how it's large splotches, then it turns into thin stripes at the top? Way cool. The only thing: Why did I pick pastels?
Stay tuned for pictures of Confused Goth in Hippie Pastel Lace Top!

Finally Started

I finally started my top, and so far, I have 1 1/2 repeats done. I love the yarn I chose, and the color is growing on me. Come on over to my place, and see the picture.

http://ladybugssitnknit.blogspot.com/

newbie to this KAL says hello

hey guys, i just joined this KAL! i'm finding it very helpful, so thank you for all the cool entries and tips. i'm going to be extending the stockinette section by an inch or two by the time i get there, as many of you have suggested.

here's a photo of my progress thus far:


http://www.flickr.com/photos/honeypoo/193115548/

i'm using rowan cotton glace - seems to be working well so far.
i'm making the smallest size (33.75 in).

My first day wearing my LBT

I got my friend at work to take a pic of me wearing my LBT today in all it's finished & blocked glory. Indoor lighting and old work digi cams leave much to be desired, but it'll do. I've got a black ON layering tank underneath to make it work appropriate as well as a black blazer since the SF Bay Area fog makes the mornings very cool. I'm happy with the way it turned out though I will need one of those demi-type bras so I don't keep fiddling w/the straps all the time as they want to peek out ever so slightly right were the seams joining the front to the shoulders are.

I'm glad I joined this KAL and it helped keep me motivated to finish this project and all your tips and suggestions helped me immeasureably.

Thank you all and knit on!

edited to add: original finished post w/yarn specs can be found here.

Blocking Question

I'm on the third repeat of the lace pattern, and it's already getting pretty darn obvious that this top will need some heavy-duty blocking if the lotus blossoms/alien heads are going to look like anything other than a variegated spaghetti mess. What did other people do? Does anyone have advice about blocking lace knit in the round?
This is my first lace piece that didn't start out flat, so I'm not sure what to do.

Pret a porter!

IK Lotus Blossom - it's done!
Originally uploaded by Sophie_vf.

It's ready to wear!

I am so glad I added the extra stockinette. I really didn't need the fifth lace repeat, as I needed more bra coverage than overall length. So, as suggested by Jacqui, and considering her warning that the front tends to pull up, I knit an extra inch of stockinette plus 12 short rows for the bust shaping. This worked out perfectly!

Like others, I absolutely hated picking up the armhole edging since it's such a small round to work ont, but at least it was over with quickly. It didn't roll too badly, and a light pressing with steam helped it stay in place. I also steam blocked the lace a bit so it would be more open. Not that I really want to show extra skin, but it draped more nicely and didn't bunch.

I'm really happy with the result and enjoyed knitting it. Thanks to everyone here for tips, inspiring pics, and encouragement!

(crossposted to my own blog)

Finished and Fresh from the Dryer!

I finished! And I even wore it to work on Wednesday (with some discreet pinning of the appropriate bra). I had some problems with the blocking: I wanted to tighten up the back, the armholes, and the curled-outward neckline. No luck: I got it wet and it grew by 10 inches in width and about a foot in length. It went into the dryer and was fried back to it's pre-wash size.
To all you bamboo users freaking out about your sizing after reading this: Relax: I knit this with Filatura Di Crosa Zara Merino in green and grey (ran out of green) so I shall be alone in my blocking issues. Overall, I had a great time with this pattern, and I look forward to wearing this tank, and seeing all of your finished photos! Thanks for the inspiration, company, support, and advice!
Kel

Jackie F has some mad skillz....

Did you notice Jackie sneaked in a picture of her and her little one? I am not letting her get away with it! LOL. Adult LBT and Mini LBT together!

Scroll down about 4 posts.

Jackie - I hope you don't mind me calling you out. You two look soooo cute! I poked around your blog a little and did I read you were going to make a mini Green Gable? You are so very talented!

Getting ready to begin

Hey Everyone! I'm Shell. I joined a little while ago but am just getting started on this. Here's my dilemma. I initially selected SWTC Oasis in Purplexed for the tank, but I am starting to think that the variegation may be too much. Here's the swatch I finished last night:



I made an error somewhere along the way, but I am just not thrilled with how the pattern looks. So here is my second thought, Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece in Lovely Lavender, swatched this morning:



The cotton fleece has the same ballband gauge as the Oasis, but it swatched up a little larger and a little firmer.

I'm leaning towards the cotton fleece, but would love some feedback.

Thanks!
Shell

Vacation knitting

Hi -- I've been working on LBT and now have 5 lace repeats + 5" of ss in the round, and am ready to bo for arms. I ordered a 3rd ball from Yarn Market and it is the same dye lot, so I have plenty and feel much better. I'm wondering, after washing/during blocking how much you all are pinning out the lace, or letting it block more "naturally"? Also, has anyone ironed this yarn, and if so at what setting (you see I have fantasies of finishing soon!).

Mini Lotus Blossom Tank pics

Here's Marie wearing her mini Lotus Blossom Tank! These pics were taken just after she got up, so please excuse the bright green shorts. I might have to make the head opening a little bit bigger since it was difficult to get over her head; I'm thinking at the back or the left front shoulder seam...

Edited 7/4/06: 1 picture added. Also, I took out part of one seam and added braided ties so that the tank fits over her head.

Preview of a mini LBT

Here's a shot of the finished mini Lotus Blossom Tank for my 18-month-old daughter. Since she's in bed for the night, I'll have to wait until tomorrow to take pictures with her wearing it. I can't wait! Before doing the edging, I tried it on her to see if it fit. It did! I was worried that the lace would be too high, or that the shaping at the neckline would be off or too high. But, thanks to the dependability of math, it turned out OK. Oh yeah, how about that one patch of brown?! I ran out of yarn right before finishing. Ack! Now it has an abtract art appeal... :)

Voila, the Lotus Blossom Tank

Done, done, done!! These pics were taken at Stitch 'n Bitch tonight. Currently, I'm finishing up a mini version of the tank for my 17-month-old daughter with leftover yarn. Hopefully, I'll have enough yarn to finish the straps. I might have to use some taupe Patons Grace to do the edging. We'll see - I will be sure to post pics of her wearing her tank when it's finished! :)

Put a fork in me!

I am done! Well, I still need to wash & block this bugger and get DH to take a pic of me modelling (hah!) this thing, but the knitting is done.

Well, I hope I'm done. I did not enjoy picking up and knitting the finishings on the armholes and neckline. I simply had the worst time w/the SWTC Bamboo at this point. I hope the most egregious parts block out. If not, I'll have to go back and re-do them. Gah!

In any case, a quick recap of my tank - I knitted the size 39'' cause I measure 40." I got stitch gauge on size 7 (Boyes interchangeables) needles, but my row gauge was bigger (7.25 rows/in vs 9 rows/in stated in the pattern) in St st. Because of my larger row gauge, I only added 1.5" to the St st portion before splitting for the armholes and felt no need to add a 5th repeat of the alien heads.

Quick thoughts on this project - This was a fun pattern to knit. However, my enjoyment was tempered by the yarn itself. While I like the drape and feel of it, it still got tiring for my hands despite having more give than a 100% mercerized cotton yarn. It didn't bother me while I was doing the lace portion, but the knitting the St st portion got wearying. Oh, and yeah, splitty as heck. All of which is probably why I started losing steam and got really annoyed doing the armhole and neck finishing. I really hope the finish blocks out okay, 'cause I really don't want to go back and re-do them.

Now what do I do w/the 2 whole leftover skeins + the remainder of the 3rd?

Red Lotus

I decided on red for my Lotus Blossom because I love the colour, and I already had one random ball I bought the first time i came across it. I got 2 more from the same store (18 months later) and they are, predictably, different dye lots, but that appears to make no discernible difference at all, fortunately!

I did 6 repeats of the lace, but haven't lengthened the base part of the stocking stitch element - may prove to be rash,

now I read Jackie F's comments from yesterday.

this pic is a bit shakey because I was on a train - and as usual with lace it looks like boiled ass (see Rabbitch's descriptions of her lace...). I've finished the front, and am almost at the short rows for the back. Which is good, because I want to wear it for Woolfest on Saturday (may be blocking it the night before in the B&B, methinks!) NB the colour above is the best I could get even with white balance, but it is really deeper - more like this.

Lotus Blossom Tank - front finished

Lotus Blossom Tank - front finished
Originally uploaded by Sophie_vf.

I chucked the tank I started using the SWTC Intensity, because I decided I'd rather use the variegated yarn for Heatwave. So here's my second try. After ordering some SWTC in cobalt, I cast on again, and have finally gotten to finishing the front.

I don't LOVE knitting with bamboo, because it feel so stiff to me, but I do really like the fabric it produces. Perhaps because it's so drapey, the garment seems to come out really big even if you get gauge on the swatch, so I'm knitting the smallest size, which seems absurdly small compared to my actual bust size. I did add some short rows to the front to make sure it was long enough that I don't flash people through the lace section. Otherwise, I'm continuing on and hoping for the best.

FYI: beware, the straps will pull up the front

My Lotus Blossom Tank is drying! I have a picture and details on my blog. I'll post a picture after it's dry and I'm wearing it...

While I'm here, I thought I'd mention something important for those who haven't completed the stockinette portion of the tank [BTW, this will make sense when reading, but you might not think of it while knitting]:

You might want to knit the stockinette section an inch longer. Most people are doing this anyway. But, even after customizing yours to make it long enough to cover the bust, you might want to add yet another inch. Why? The straps will pull up the front an inch after seaming. At least, that is to say, they did on mine. Thankfully, my tank still covers the bust, but with very little material to spare. This was an unexpected result considering I had already made my stockinette portion longer than the pattern indicated. So, if yours is only just covering the bottom part of the bust and you want to wear your tank sans camisole, you'll be risking exposing your bra if you don't make it longer. 'Thought I'd share - hope this helps!

Oh yeah - one more thing! The extra inch should be added while still knitting in the round. Adding any length after the armhole BO would disrupt the seaming.

Just getting started...ease?

Once I finish a stole/scarf from Mason Dixon, I'm going to cast on. I have some SWTC Oasis that I'm going to use, it swatches up about right (I'm having a hard time doing a circular swatch), and the SoySilk website says it can be subbed for Bamboo. I'm planning on adding a few inches to the length.

What kind of ease should I plan for? I'm hoping that I can get away with an inch or two of negative ease.

Thar she grows!

I'm finally swatching, and things are going well. The unwashed swatch was dead on for the row count, but I had way too many stitches width-wise. Then I washed it, it's blocking upstairs -- and so much wider than it started out! Will re-measure once it's dry, but I think I'll be spot on (or close enough) for gauge. Bamboo really does bloom like you wouldn't believe.

One question, though: my bust is 33 1/2", the XS is 33 3/4. Should I be worried? After everyone's sizing issues, I'm a bit concerned.

Vacation Project 101

I love seeing everyone's wip & fo! Thanks to all the good advice, I've added the 5th lace repeat, and plan to make the stockinette section a bit longer too. I haven't taken it off the needles, but width seems okay. Now that I'm onto straight ss, this project is ready to get on the plane with me this Saturday to visit family and friends in Ohio/Michigan. Does anyone have an opinion on yardage: it took 1 skein = 4 lace repeats of size small, so that leaves 1 skein for the fifth repeat and all the stockinette. Do you think I should pick up another skein before I go???

Tried Mine On

After finishing the front, I tried my LBT on and it fits - yay! My mods worked. So far, I've got the more A-line shape and longer length I wanted. Now, I just have to finish the back. I have about 5 inches until the shoulder shaping. I'm really excited about this tank! It's so different from anything else I've knitted this summer.

Nearing the armhole BO...

Here's my progress on my 39" size LBT! I've got about an inch or so to go before binding off at the armholes. As you can see from the measuring tape across the front, it is ~34 inches. Having 5 inches less than the pattern's 39 doesn't worry me, especially since I made a 32" Green Gable (with 12 short rows) that fit my 37" bust just fine.

It's hard to see the lace pattern due to the flash. But, the picture I took without flash was too blurry.

Progess report and in translation

I tried on my LBT and while I'm content with the circumference (not too wide at all and it's nicely drapey), I was rather concerned it was shorter than I was expecting. However, I think I've decided I will lengthen the St st portion so the bust line will be where I want it and consequently address the lace length issue.

And out of curiosity, I asked a friend who speaks & reads both Cantonese & Mandarin to tranlate the Chinese LBT blog post, well the pic at least. It basically said it was the Lotus Blossom flower pattern in 100% cotton "thread" (probably yarn?) and she used 5 and 5.5 mm sized needles, but I'm sure everyone's already figured out the needle size part.

Edited to add: My friend also tells me the blog entry discusses how she felt about her accomplishment.

Bloomin' issues

Well... I *was* really excited that I finished the Lotus Blossom tank. The fabric is beautiful. The little alien heads/lotus blossoms are pretty. But it's just too darn short.

This look might go over well on the weekends but I really wanted to wear this cute little top to work. And while the layered look might be in style...

I'm just thinking not-so-much my style. It takes away from the cute shaping of the neckline and in my opinion looks a little dumb. Nother problem was where the lace began. I'm not exactly well endowed, but my little tykes could peek out at the bottom of the stockinette. If you've got a little more upstairs than I do (I think most women out there do) you may want to consider adding a bit more stockinette just for the sake of decency.

I don't think I knit it wrong. In fact, as I took a look again at the magazine I think it's a fairly short top on the models as well. I just don't own pants that come up to my belly button so I end up with the need for even longer shirts.

So... last night while watching Jimmy Neutron I frogged the top part back to the armpits and picked up the stockinette banner once more. I figure I'll add another 4 inches of stockinette to the top. The lace should start somewhere near my belly button and it'll give me the length I want.

Aloha!

I started this great tank on June 11th, but just found the KAL today. I could have used the emotional support during my gauging and lace-knitting (first time with lace patterns) but am thankful I found y'all now!
I am not using bamboo (my local yarn store is 60 miles away, and really small, and filled with nothing but eyelash yarn), instead using Filatura di Crosa Zara Merino from the stash...and I will run out. Yarn shortages in mind, I got gauge on a size 9 needle, which is making for a much looser and more open lacework. I am also incorporating one skein of grey into the green (waist, sleeves? Neckline?). I am at 1.5 inches of stockinette and I have about 200 yards of green left...
So I will be here, knitting, and holding my breath.
I love seeing everyone's photos, and it is comforting knowing y'all are out there!
Aloha!
Kel

Having trouble already!

Hi everyone! I'm joining a little late but I'm not wasting time in encountering problems! I did 9 rows of the pattern, realized I made a mistake, took my work off the needles (which I bought for the project and hate - but I digress) and thought I would slip it on since it looked HUGE. I was right. I'm making the second size (39" bust) but it was big, big, big. I'm hesitant to cast on again for the smallest size, though, because I actually have a 40.5" bust. What to do?

Do I have everyone listed?

If you are reading this and you joined this KAL (I invited you via Blogger, you accepted, etc.), does your name appear on the list in the sidebar? And if you have a blog, did I link to your blog? Some of you created blogs after joining and I think I got everyone in this scenario updated. If not, please leave a comment or send me an email. Thanks!

On the subject of my Lotus Blossom Tank - um, I started mine last weekend and 5 rounds in, I discovered I twisted my stitches. I haven't touched it since. LOL! Actually, I've been trying to finish something else and I just seamed and wove in the ends, so that is done. I'll restart LBT soon.

Someone on flickr.com has a gorgeous blue one

Saw this on flickr today. It's beautiful. Once of the tags says pima tencel, so I'm wondering if it's Cascade in #1694 or if it's a Classic Elite Premiere shade.

In the meantime, I'm still slowly progressing on my 3rd lace repeat. Crappy pics on my blog.

Hope all of you are well.

I've made progress on Lotus Blossoms!

OK, I just want to give a quick shout out to the lovely lady who mentioned that the blossoms look like Alien Heads.

Yup, thanks. Now, where once I saw lovely Lotus Blossoms, now I see only creepy Aliens Heads.

Nope, no nightmares here! Nuh-unh. Not me, no siree bob! There wouldn't be any nightmares here about being eaten alive and sky lifted to a flying saucer for scary tests. Just us Lotus Blossoms....

So, thanks. :)

Oh, and I've posted some progress pics on my blog at wordswitsnwool.blogspot.com.

It's fun to see everyone's progress. Keep it up!

Switching to the XS after the bust: here's the plan...

I have written down a plan for how I will downsize my 39" size tank to the 33.75" size just above the bust. Since I'm petite, my shoulders are narrow in width and short in height measuring from the bust. Normally, I would probably wear the XS (33.75") and just make that size without any modifications. But, I haven't yet lost the 20-25 lb that I should. So, in the meantime I'm going to make some extra, evenly-spaced decreases on the front and back. These decreases fall after the largest part of my bust and after the armhole BO. To downsize, 28 sts need to be evenly decreased in total: 14 for the front and 14 for the back. All extra decreases are completed prior to the front neckline BO and the shoulder shaping on the back. In order to not take up too much space here, please read all further details on my blog post.

Has anyone noticed that the neckband is worked back and forth? Is this due to the curvature or length of the neckline? It must be easier (or necessary) to work back and forth, then connect each end in the front if that's what the pattern says. I wonder if it's possible to work the neckband in the round like the armholes? When I get to the point where I've picked up and knitted the neckline sts for the neckband, I guess I'll find out then!

Sizing Question - Please help!!

My yarn arrived, and I am starting my swatches. I will need to adjust the pattern for sizing, and I am wondering if anyone out there has had to go bigger? It is hard to tell from the dinky little schematic in IK just where exactly the measurements are taken, and when I was measured for what looked like the same points, it seems that I need to increase width, but not length so much. Any advice for dealing with the neckline? I am not sure what to do about adjusting the triangles on the back and the front so that they match up correctly.

Also, how lacy (sheer) is the bottom panel? It is hard to tell from the photos, but it seems from the WIPs posted that it is not too sheer. Can you see da belly?? I hope not!! ;)

Thanks for helping!

LBT Experience

Thank you Betty for inviting me to join this KAL. I recently finished my LBT and just put up a post about my experience on my blog. After seeing everyone's lovely yarn choices I am tempted to make another one!

Popping In To Say Hi

I didn't know about this KAL until last week and Betty has graciously allowed me to join in the fun. I've been working on my Lotus Blossom for a while now and am about 2 inches into the stockinette part. It's such a lovely pattern and so fun to see how everyone else's is coming along. I can't wait to see all of them finished up.

Here's a quick shot of my work in progress. I hope to get it finished up this weekend as I'm pretty sure it will go quite fast.

See it at flickr

LBT WIP and bamboo yarn question

Here's a pic of my 1st lace pattern repeat. Is this yarn going to get softer after more wear like linen and hemp? I'd love to know since I've never used bamboo yarn.

3/4 of my aliens have landed

Hi All -- I'm so glad I found you. I've finished 3 rows of the lace pattern and started slowing down a bit (i.e., another yarn, another pattern caught my eye ;~})... I'm counting on this KAL to be my inspiration to finish (quickly). My LBT is in purple. I got the yarn as a Mother's Day gift (if you send them to the right LYS store with the magazine and pattern circled, they come back with something you love!). I've never worked with bamboo before and was surprised at its crunchiness. I assume it will soften once washed and blocked. I'm making the smallest size because the last couple of things I made out of IK came out way too big... I haven't taken it off the needles yet to try it on, but maybe will do so after reading some of your comments. Otherwise, I'm loving the yarn and the pattern. I created a faux-chart for myself to speed the process along (no symbols, just abbreviations). I've thought about adding a 5th repeat but am not sure (1) I'll have enough yarn and (2) I'll have enough motivation. Fortunately, I like how 4 repeats look. Anyway, here it is so far.