The Petal Tank: An Alternate Solution and a Mostly Finished Top

Well, I tried to redo the straps on my Petal Halter, but I didn't like the way any of the redos looked. So I reknit the straps back to Version 1. I got a new bra instead and am really happy with the top (and the new bra--it was LONG overdue).


So my Petal Halter or my version of it--the Petal Tank--is finished...mostly. It still needs to be blocked and I am still considering doing a simple crochet chain edge along the top just to make it look a little more finished.


Pattern: Petal Halter by Olga Buraya-Kefelian (in Interweave Knits Spring 2009)
Yarn: Cascade Yarns Pima Tencel (50% Peruvian Pima Cotton/50% Tencel/ 50 gr/ 1.75 oz/ 109 yd) 5 skeins Color #9513
Needles: Size 5
Size: Smallest
Modifications:
Instead of the Eastern cast-on, I used this provisional cast-on that I found on Wendy Bernard's Knit and Tonic. I really loved this provisional cast-on. It was quick and easy to do and pretty easy to pick up the stitches. There was no problem with tension like with the Eastern or Figure 8 method. It did produce a slight jump in the garter stitch ribbing, but I don't think anyone will notice unless they are looking for it.
My stitch gauge was slightly off so I cast on 26 stitches instead of 24 (with this method, you cast on half the stitches instead of two rows of stitches).
I wanted a longer top so I did 4 rows of petals (8 petals) instead of 3 rows (6 petals).
My bottom row of petals is done following the directions as written in the pattern (5" before decrease row). The next petals up are 1/2" shorter (4.75" before decrease row). The next petals up are another 1/2" shorter (4.5" before decrease row). The top petals are another 1/2" shorter (4.25" before decrease row).
I didn't want a halter, so I shifted the top slightly so the petals overlapped in the center of the front and then picked up stitches to do two straps.
I chose to pick up eleven stitches for each strap and then did the strap with 3 stitches of garter stitch, 5 stitches of stockinette, and then another 3 stitches of garter stitch.


My thoughts: I like this top. It is fun and flirty and feminine. It is pretty low cut for me and I will wear it more when I'm going out with B vs. hanging out with the boys. The pattern was pretty easy. There was a lot of sewing, but I did it as I went along so that made it better. The yarn is soft and lovely, but fuzzes/pills while knitting. I hope I got that all out of the way and it won't fuzz/pill too much when worn.

Now off to work on my next project, the Slanted Gretel Tee.