Ribbed Crochet Tank
This project took a little longer than it should’ve, like four months too long. But it’s finally done! I began it in July, thinking of course it would be done before it got too cold for tank tops. Well, that window passed a long time ago, it’s somehow already February!
I found the yarn for this at our local yarn store, Needful Things in Turlock. The moment I saw the warm autumnal color in a soft, DK weight I knew I had to buy it. It’s Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool in Light Sienna: part wool, part silk, part synthetic. I began with two skeins, affordably priced at $8 each, but then ran out when I began my second panel. Thankfully I was able to quickly order some online.
My pattern was the Sagebrush Tank Top by For the Frills. The pattern was very easy to follow and there was a video. But we all know the real reason I used this pattern was because it was free :) I’m that person that spends $30 on yarn for a tank top but then refuses to buy the $6 pattern that I can use forever. Maybe I’ll change someday. Maybe.
I did actually block this project once I finished it - a rare treatment by a lazy crocheter like me. I also tried the method of rolling the wet shirt inside a towel to dry it without wringing. That worked great and I’ll definitely use the method for future projects.
As I was seaming up the two panels, I discovered that, somehow, I had made the left side of the front panel four stitches shorter than it was supposed to be. Hmmm. Well, I reasoned that some shirts are intentionally shorter in the front than the back, right? So I sewed the left seam up with the back panel extending four stitches beyond the front. Moving on the the right side, I had the unpleasant realization that the right side of the front panel was the correct length. Arrgh! Being lazy, I really didn’t want to redo the left side. So, I fudged the right seam by skipping some stitches on the front panel, making the back panel a couple stitches longer. It looks pretty funky :/ Oh well, I don’t think it ruins the shirt, but just adds a little quirkiness.
I like the way the shirt hangs and I really love the way the yarn feels in the top. Unfortunately, as I was crocheting the edging I decided to make it as tight as possible for a smooth look. I realized what a stupid decision that was when I tried on the shirt and discovered the restraining force of tight edging. But it’s worth it because I really love the way it looks.
Pattern Overview: Sagebrush Tank Top
Cost: about $30
Pattern: Sagebrush Tank Top by For the Frills
Yarn: 3 Skeins of Elsebeth Lavold Silkly Wool in Light Sienna
Hook: 4mm
