Ciara Tank (Test Knit)
Finished
May 25, 2020
May 28, 2020

Ciara Tank (Test Knit)

Tester project info
Ciara by Laura Aylor
Knitting
SweaterPullover
3rd size in pattern (35.8" bust)
Needles & yarn
US 2½ - 3.0 mm
US 3 - 3.25 mm
US 4 - 3.5 mm
Berlini Trion
3.15 skeins = 567.0 yards (518.5 meters), 157 grams
13
Brown
numei.com
March 19, 2018
Notes

This is my first test for Laura Aylor. It’s a cute, swingy tank that’s perfect for our hot summer weather. I admire Laura’s construction techniques. The design caught my eye right away when I saw Laura post her sample picture. It’s a quick and fun project.

What I did differently:

  • I wanted the “skirt” area to be extra swingy, so I started out knitting with a size 4 US needle. I switched to a size 3 about a third of the way up and then to a size 2.5 US needle for the last third and remainder of the tank, including all of the half-linen stitch parts. I’m a loose knitter, so the latter gave me gauge where it matters most.

  • Row gauge isn’t as important in this design, and I can seldom match both stitch and row gauge. To determine the length between the center double decreases (center front and back), decide on your total desired length (underarm to bottom) and divide that number by 7. This should be the distance between all of the CDDs rather than the number of rounds stated in the pattern. If you match gauge and go with the 14” length stated in the pattern, the distance between CDDs will be 2 inches.

  • I made the arm opening have 8” depth because I’m a medium in length and a small in width. I added the extra 2” length in the shoulder strap area.

  • Since I have very broad shoulders (width across back and front), I didn’t decrease on every RS row for the armhole shaping. Instead, I decreased on every other RS row. This gave me a much more gradual curve and more coverage where I needed it. (Note that this will probably not work for you unless you have a very short row gauge as I did.)

  • I joined the shoulder straps using kitchener stitch rather than a 3-needle bind-off. It’s makes a flatter and visibly seamless join.

  • I didn’t like the rolling at bottom edge caused by stockinette stitch. The latter rolls, and there’s little you can do about it without counter measures. I chose to pick out the cast-on row and add a turned hem. Placed the live stitches on size 4 US needle and purled the first round (turning round). Then I knit rounds of stockinette until the hem measured 1.25”. Lastly, with a very long tail and tapestry needle, I ran the tail through all the live stitches before tacking down the hem using sewing thread to reduce bulk. If I ever knit this again, I’ll accomplish the same thing by using a provisional cast-on, knitting for 1.25”, purling one round and then knitting another 1.25”. Then, using 3 needles, join the provisional stitches (needle #1) with the current live stitches (needle #2) by knitting them together loosely. This technique is sort of like a 3-needle bind off without any binding off. From there, you can proceed with the pattern directions with one set of live stitches. Hemming complete with no rolling!

Although I made these changes for fit, my stitch counts were exactly per the pattern for my size throughout.

Measurements:

  • Length from underarm to bottom = 14.5”

  • Armhole depth = 8”

  • Height of half linen stitch in front = 3.5”

  • Height of half linen stitch in back = 5.75”

  • Circumference at bottom edge = 45”

This tank is extremely comfortable knitted up in this very lightweight, soft yarn. I love the tweedy texture of it.
I’m not sure why I’m the only person on Ravelry who’s used this yarn for numerous projects. It’s cool enough for warm weather wear and in the winter, I can wear this over a shirt.

Laura uses these standard body measurements for her patterns.

Test Knit Forum

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Finished
May 25, 2020
May 28, 2020
 
About this pattern
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About this yarn
by Berlini
Sport
60% Wool, 30% Acrylic, 10% Nylon
180 yards / 50 grams

8 projects

stashed 8 times

kimmyz's star rating
kimmyz's adjectives for this yarn
  1. Beautiful, light weight knitted fabric
  2. Loosely spun, tweedy, boucle yarn
  3. Same dye lot numbers do not always match color.
  • Project created: May 22, 2020
  • Finished: May 28, 2020
  • Updated: June 15, 2022
  • Progress updates: 4 updates