Spidery Tank = One Quick Knit!

Pattern: Spidery Tank by Nichola Thompson
Yarn: Lion Brand Cotton Ease, raspberry

Needles: US 7 and 10

What a quick knit! I cast on Saturday and I finished Tuesday. This is also a great stash buster - I used just over 2 skeins for this piece.

So what do I think of this tank? It's cute. I didn't modify anything. However, I'm not completely sold on the straps. Going into it they might bug me since I knew they'd roll, but I decided knit it as written and then see what I thought. So, here are my thoughts. This pattern says it's completely reversible, and I guess it is, but I really don't like the purl side much. The purl side (which is the "right" side in the pattern) bugs me. The straps really roll on that side. However, I think I can live with the knit side as is and consider the roll design element.

On another note, I have to say I really like Lion Brand's Cotton Ease. It's a little splitty, but it's better than many other more expensive yarns I've tried with similar fiber content. I made a blanket for my little guy using Cotton Ease and it has even stood up to many washes in my washing machine.

Zickzack Tunic

Pattern: Zickzack Tunic by Melissa Wehrle

Needles: US 3, 5 and 7
Yarn: Valley Yarns Colrain Lace, ocean blue

This is definitely one of my favorite knits! I just love how it turned out! This is the second pattern I've knit by Melissa Wehrle. I really like all the clever little details she includes in her designs.

I added some length to the body of the piece. Mine is about 21 inches from CO to underarm. I also used five 5/8" buttons - I just like odd numbers for decorative elements.

I used just one 1/2 lb. cone of Colrain Lace for this piece, so it cost me less than $25 to make this great tunic! How can you beat that?! I chose the Colrain Lace because of its fiber content. It's 50% wool and 50% Tencel. The recommended yarn is 50% wool 50% silk. I love silk, but the Tencel (made from wood pulp cellulose) has silk-like qualities, e.g., feel, sheen and drape, at a much more economical price tag!

I did purchase two cones of Colrain Lace just in case. Since I have one full cone left, I'm considering Asami Kana's Chamomile Tunic.