From Fits to Finished

Boy oh boy did the Tess tanky give me all sorts of fits. I have to say, this has been my most challenging project yet, believe it or not:
* The ribbon yarn was a challenge. [remember the tangle that ate my brain?]
* The lace pattern at the neck was a challenge. [Esp. considering the whack Phildar make-one method given for this pattern, which was ignored after 3 tries.]
* The ripping out... well, ripping wasn't a challenge, but threading multiple lifelines so that the slippery stitches wouldn't fall all the way to the bottom? That got a little tiresome.
* Oh yeah -- and let's not forget how, on the final leg of finishing, I attached the straps to the back in a way that was decidedly off-center, completely ignoring the stitch markers I'd placed to remind me where they went.

But, without further ado, I present the finished Tanky:

Pattern: Phildar Tendances 402, size 36
Yarn: Tess Microfiber Ribbon, 2 hanks [300 yards/hank]; purchased at MDSW. I had maybe 1/8 of a hank left over after seaming.
Gauge: 24st x 32 rows over 10 cm on US7s
Modifications: The pattern called for k3p2 ribbing all over the back. I didn't want a clingy back [it's 90+ degrees out!] so I did ribbing at the bottom and then stockinette stitch. After I finished, I realized that without an edging at the top, the st st curled something fierce. I ripped back 8 rows and added ribbing to match the bottom.

For all the headaches, I really am happy with how this turned out. It fits really well. [Pardon the bad self-mirror shot; my photographer is on vacation.]

This is the second Phildar pattern I've made [remember Frimas?], and I've discovered that their shaping closely mirrors that on my body... I'll definitely be making more from Phildar. I'll also mention that the weight of ribbon yarn went a long way toward helping me achieve even tension.

And the lacy neckline is flattering without being revealing. [I'm even starting to forget I had to frog one panel 3x to get that sequence of M1,yo,skp to not look all wonky.]

So, happy finished tank! Now I get to figure out what goes on the needles next....