After I was done working the 22 even rows after the body shaping my piece measured 17’’. Since I am 5’9’’ I decided to work 18 more rows in plain st st to give me 3’’ of more length.
I decided to assemble the tank before giving it into the wash, I worked 32 sc around each armhole and sc the back together while working around the neckline.
Pre-wash measurements:
- Neckline to bottom hem: 24’’
- Armhole to armhole across the chest: 22’’
- Hem to Underarm: 21’’
I put the tank in the washer and ran a warm 15 minute quick cycle with medium tumbling speed. I then added it to the dryer for 15 minutes at medium heat. The top was still wet in spots afterwards so I put it back into the dryer for 10 more minutes at medium high heat.
Then I layed it down on blocking matts and moistened and pinned out the side garter edges since they had curled under the stockinette. I took the “after” pictures in the morning when the shirt was completely dry.
Post-wash measurements:
- Neckline to bottom hem: 21’’
- Armhole to armhole across the chest: 22’’
- Hem to Underarm: 19’’
I wore the same clothes in the before-after picture comparison, the grey tank was just so long in the before picture that it covered up the white tank I was wearing underneath completely.
Final notes:
I am definitely glad I added the 18 extra rows to the body, I think some one shorter than me wouldn’t have to make that adjustment though.
Size wise I think I would have been fine to make the smallest size but since this is a very flowy and breezy top I am not sure how big of a difference a smaller size would actually make.
All in all I am happy with the finished product, it was equally stressful and exciting to see how much the tank shrank in the washer. I don’t think I will be making this again merely for the fact that this yarn is not the greatest to work with. It is quite stiff and has a rough feel when running over your fingers, plus if you slip with your needle and accidentally pull out one of the chains that form the strand (“split” the yarn) you are just out of luck because the loop won’t go back into the yarn like one ply of a 4-ply yarn normally would.
I hope these notes help, when I first started this top a few others had knit the pattern before but there weren’t any detailed notes on how the washing actually affected the size. I hope I changed that! :)))