NOTES

I found this yarn - Paton’s Linen (50% Linen & 50% Cotton) - at Joann’s and I was over the moon to give it a try. I went a bit overboard and bought the yarn in three different colorways to knit three “Tip Top Tank FINE” tanks.

My gauge was loose compared to the pattern:

• 21sts./4” with US 4

• 23.5 - 23.75sts/4” with US 3

• 24sts/4” with US 2

However, after blocking the swatch plumped up a bit.

I ended up knitting the XS size using US 2 for the ribbing and US 3 for the body of the tank. The drape of the fabric was even better after blocking.

MODIFICATIONS

• 1x1 tubular cast on for both hems

  • Used Andrea Mowry’s Cast On

  • After Cast On, 1st Row: Purl, Slip 1 knit stitch (as if to purl); 2nd Row: Knit, Slip 1 purl stitch; Row 3: Purl, Slip 1 knit stitch (as if to purl); Row 4: Knit, Slip 1 purl stitch Be sure that the stitches (purl and knit) are not twisted on the needle. If they are knit, purl, or slip into back leg to untwist.

  • After set up rows for 1x1 tubular cast on, begin slipping the 1st stitch each row for cleaner edge

  • I knit 10 rows of 1x1 rib, end on WS row

• Used a genius modification by Recreates (on Ravelry) to raise the back by 6 rows

• I also added some extra rows for the length.

RESOURCES

• Tubular Cast On (Flat) // Andrea Mowry // Youtube

• Tubular Cast On // Suzanne Bryan // Youtube

• Ravelry User Recreates’ Tip Top Tank Modification to the back

• Three Needle Bind Off:

  • Martha Lyons // Three Needle bind off for shoulders // Youtube

  • Three-Needle Bind Off (3NBO) Basics // Technique Tuesday // Youtube

  • Very Pink Knits // Youtube

  • (Timestamp: 5:29) Finessed Three-Needle Bind off // Roxanne Richardson // Youtube

Final Thoughts

I really like this top and the fabric that the yarn created. This will be my 3rd Tip Top Tank (and 1st Tip Top Tank FINE). This pattern is definitely becoming an unexpected TNT for me. For my next version of this top — yep, there are more in my near future — I will try reversing the pattern to be knit from the top down.

I don’t mind knitting from the bottom up, but I am finding that I don’t use cotton blend yarns very much outside of summer, and I do not want a lot of leftovers. Bottom up construction makes it hard for me to use up as much of the yarn as possible without worrying about having enough to complete the top portion. This sometimes leads me to crop the tank unnecessarily (in an effort to conserve yarn) only to find that I have plenty of it left.