Pia

Pia, Rowan 35, designed by Kim Hargreaves
Knit with just under 3 skeins (137 yards/skein) of Rowan All Season's Cotton(60% Cotton, 40% Acrylic) in Fern (214) on my Aero Bernat Straights in sizes US 7 (4.5 mm) and US 8 (5.0 mm).

Pattern Notes:
I made this tank in the XS size. It looked tiny coming off the needles, but it actually has a very baggy fit. This is partially due to the fact that there are no decreases after the bottom ribbing (which causes the fabric to pool - no doubt the intended effect) and an absence of shaping throughout the body. Surprisingly, when I compared it to another very close-fitting tank that I made for myself, the width measurements are almost identical, so the place where the pattern picks up extra room is actually in length. I knew this and tryed to compensate by shortening the straps a bit, but that only helped so much. Luckily, knits shrink considerably more in length than in width if you toss them in the dryer, so there's a good chance that once I make my way over to the laundromat again Pia will be a perfect fit. I'll definitely let you know.

The big lesson I learned from Pia is that tanks and camisoles really do need to be knit a lot smaller than you think. I've knit another cami since Pia (you'll see it soon) and had the identical experience of thinking that it was just way too small. (That one, however, is a perfect fit.) I think we all tend to knit a bit big on these pieces, probably mostly due to our experiences with sweaters, which require ease. Next time, remember - size down on that tank!

Now that I've pointed out my trials and tribulations, I have to say that Pia was really fun to make. I love the eyelet pattern and the straps were really fun, too. Most of all, the D-rings are totally cool. In my opinion, this pattern is probably best for someone taller than me who has a little bit of a bust. It's perfect for someone who's around 5'7"-5'8" with a solid B-cup. (I'm guessing this describes Sharlyn, Jen(click Knitting and scroll down to see Pia) and Amy - because they all look great!) There's shaping at the top that requires a little something-something. However, with a little tweaking (or perhaps just a roll in the dryer), I think Pia would work well on a frame like mine, too. I like the pattern enough that I may play around with it next spring.

Impressions of All Season's Cotton:
This isn't quite Desert Island yarn, but it's close. Pia is the second thing that I've made using ASC. (You might remember the Daring Tank?) It's the perfect thing if you're looking for a chunky cotton with bounce that comes in nice colors. It's very fun to knit with, and if it were a finer yarn I would take it to the desert island. (I'm just not a big yarn girl for most things). As an additional bonus, ASC seems really breathable. I would wager it really is great for all seasons.

Possible substitute yarns:
ASC is the yarn called for in the pattern, but if you're looking for a substitute, try GGH Samoa. The composition is really similar - 50% Cotton, 50% Microfiber, and it will give you that nice springy feel that ASC has at the same guage. If you want a similar yarn in a different guage, GGH makes two other cotton/microfiber blends that are exactly the same as Samoa. One chunky (Goa) and one fine (Bali).

Tips for Others Making Pia:
A while ago someone on the Knitty Board asked how to go about doing a swatch for Pia. I posted a tutorial on the blog, so if you are interested, go check it out. I think the general principles are applicable to swatching for any pattern that is a little more complex, so beginners may find it helpful. (If you do, please let me know - it's nice to feel that I'm not just typing for myself every once and a while!)

My other advice is to use Ms. Hargreaves' chosen methods on the edging and straps with this one. I strayed from the pattern and had to frog the front and back tops twice. She really does know what she's doing...