A girl could get used to this. Especially one looking for a little relaxation like me.
Debbie Bliss Cutaway Tank Free Pattern
Yesterday was hot. I don’t do well with hot, especially when I can’t get to the beach. So, while Hubby (who loves the heat), was outside working in the yard, I stayed in the air conditioning to start this Cutaway Tank by Debbie Bliss. It’s a free pattern that you can get here. The style of this tank screams summer to me. It’s done in cotton yarn, which would be so comfortable to wear on hot summer days.
I purchased 3 balls of Knit One Crochet Too’s DungarEase yarn for another project that I nixed, and decided to use it for this tank instead. I have to admit, I wasn’t thrilled with the yarn at first, it’s a cotton/acrylic blend, but decided to use it for this project. This tank is an experiment for me – it’s a real live garment and it has two seams that need to be sewn at the end. I’ve never done either before. After just a couple hours of knitting, I fell in love not only with the well-written pattern, but the way this tank looks in this yarn.
Things were going so well that I had to take a little moment of celebration. You know me, that is the perfect little excuse I need to get in the kitchen. 
I’ve been wanting to make Sydney’s Strawberry Balsamic and Black Pepper Jam since she first posted it back in March. (I was holding out for the local strawberries). I love this jam! The strawberries and balsamic vinegar are such a wonderful combination of sweet and zippy flavor. Mine isn’t as pretty as Sydney’s (I may have used too much balsamic vinegar), but this jam is just incredible. It made a perfect little breakfast for me when served on an English muffin. You should go get this recipe. It’s amazing. I’ll wait.
After breakfast, knitting commenced again. The more I knit, the happier I became with my little experiment in knitting a garment. Maybe I can do this!
I did notice a little issue at this point – do you see those little lines in the body of the tank? I am guessing that this has something to do with my knitting tension. Tension is something I’ve heard a lot about in knitting, but never noticed the problem with mine until this point. But then, I’ve never knit one thing that is mostly stockinette stitch like this tank either. It showed up quite a bit. I’m told by experienced knitters that this will come out in blocking, but I need to work on this as I knit too. It kind of bummed me out…..
…so I went back to the kitchen. I whipped up a batch of that No-Knead Focaccia Bread I posted back in April. This time I added some sweet cherries to the top. This was a great idea! If I do say so myself. The cherries and rosemary combination is a great one. It took this already wonderful focaccia bread to a new level of special. I felt better after that little success in the kitchen…
….it gave me the gumption to spend the rest of the afternoon finishing the back of my tank top. I’m loving the detail of the cables at the arms!
I can’t wait to get started on the front piece, which is identical to the back, but I decided to put that off for a little bit to bask in the success of finishing the back with no problems or mistakes.
By the end of the day, Hubby got a lot accomplished in the yard and I felt excited about my knitting experiment. It was a hot, but good day, despite no time near the water. There was just one choice to celebrate these little successes: Sangria. By this time, the sun had passed behind the house and the breeze kicked up to provide some relief to the ungodly heat, so I celebrated with Hubby and the Sangria on the patio. I found the recipe for this Sangria at TreeHugger. The only thing I did different was use rosè wine instead of white wine, and eliminate the serrano pepper. It was a delicious fruity end to my hot, but successful Sunday of relaxing my way…
Tomorrow’s high is 73, which sounds just about perfect doesn’t it? Maybe I’ll do it all again tomorrow. Outside. I predict happiness…
Out of curiousity, do you love or loathe the heat? What do you do to enjoy it or avoid it?
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Love the Tank, still hoping to learn the whole knitting thing once my move is complete, (this week hopefully). The sangria also looks delicious.
I definitely prefer the cooler temps to the heat!!
Yay!! The knitting thing is so relaxing for me, once you learn. It’s pretty easy to learn too!
Ugh, Carol Ann, it’s 94 here today. Shoot me now!!!
Have a great week dear!
Um…My name is Stacey and I love the heat. LOL!
Beautiful photos and I love the tank top!! Can’t wait to see that completed!!
Stockinette stitch done flat (with straight needles) can produce those lines. It’s not so much of a problem when knitting in the round. Tension usually is the culprit because of how the purl stitch is made. For the way most knitters knit, it seems to use more yarn to purl than making a knit stitch (even though it’s just a reverse knit stitch…kinda weird). Some knitters compensate by pulling the yarn a little tighter right before the follow through of a purl stitch (and I believe I’ve read somewhere that combination knitting doesn’t produce lines as well…). But, really, compensating is unnecessary. Knitting is done mostly for fun rather than necessity these days anyway. If it makes a few lines, block it well and call it a day. EZ once wrote that when looking at knits that have been around for ages, she was so astounded by how evenly they were knit. But, she came to find out, it was mostly because of the washings over the years. Tends to work out all the kinks over time.
Oh how I love you for stopping by and writing about my struggles with tension Stacey!
I feel MUCH better now, and won’t worry so much about those darn little lines. You’re right, it’s supposed to be fun!! I am a professional worrier, trying to break that habit, so…thank you!!
Sending thankful hugs your way! I hope that you’re going to get the heat we’re gonna get this weekend since you love it! xoxo
This is a relaxing day?! You were busy! Love the photography… Your food photos always look so scrumptious and you make the knitting look easy.
cute! and everything looks yummy!
as always!
Thanks Madison! Congratulations on your new purchase!!
Sarah you are clearly a natural when it comes to knitting and crochet! Lovely pattern but the thought of something around my neck like that in summer is quite chocking, actually I don’t do turtle necks in winter either – I’m a strange critter.
Mandy
What a fantastic day you enjoyed and so productive.
in a nut shell, I love summer and loathe winter.
Ahhhh, Mandy, you’re right. I don’t own one single turtle neck either. You’re not strange at all, that makes perfect sense. I haven’t tackled the collar on this yet, but I’ll see how tight it feels…..I wouldn’t like that tight feeling in summer either.
LOL! I’m with ya on winter, that’s for sure! But I’m such a wuss in that 95 F heat with all that icky humidity. Gross.
I hope your Tuesday was wonderful dear! xoxo
Gee, Sarah, I came here feeling pretty good about my day and now I’m feeling like such a slacker! There’s so much to like about this post but, I have to admit, I’m a little fixated about that strawberry jam. The farmer’s markets are brimming with strawberries now and this would be the perfect time to make this jam. And if it has your seal of approval, it must be good.
Living alone, I don’t make Sangria very often. I will, however, have a glass of white wine with a peach, plum, or a couple strawberries added to it after dinner. It’s a nice way to relax on a warm Summer’s evening. Of course, if I had a day like you just did, I might go ahead and make the Sangria. I’d surely need more than a glass.
You are not even close to being a slacker, John! EVER! Oh my goodness…I can’t believe you said that….
You should try the jam and let me know what you think. I’m crazy about the balsamic vinegar with the strawberries, even though I think I added a little too much vinegar. I’d do it again though. Oh yes I would! I’d love to hear what you’d do different with this one, if anything, John.
Mmmmmmm, some white wine with a plum, peach and berries….that sounds so perfect for a summer night….I’m in!
Mmmm, that jam looks awesome! And I LOVE sangria!
I should make some ….
Why yes! Yes you should! This one’s really good too….I love the light, fresh flavors in it. The jam, sadly, is already gone. Next time double batch!
Thanks Stephanie, have a terrific Tuesday!! xoxo
Wow! You sure did a number on dealing with a hot, hot day. You have such an arsenal of activities to turn to that you’re well armed for any kind of day; that’s terrific, Sarie. I love that vest. The revealing shoulders and the cable stitching make it an item that will definitely get second looks for the wearer. Russ must have been thrilled to come in from working to the delightful treat of Focaccia bread you whipped up. And the Sangria in the evening…the perfect touch for the two of you.
I do okay in the heat. I don’t love it but if I ignore it, I’m able to endure it. If I sit on the screen porch with the overhead fan running, I can relax enough so I can go back out in the yard.
Lots of sunshine predicted for this week. I love that but I can’t ignore the fact that we really, really need rain. Rain at night, sunshine durlng the day; is that too much to ask for?
Have a ripping Tuesday, Sarie!!!
He did like the Focaccia Shaddy, I had to hide some to keep for myself for yesterday’s lunch, lol!
Ahhhhhh, sitting on the screen porch with the fan running….sigh…..
Especially with that backyard view of yours.
Nope, rain is not too much to ask for, it’s very dry. I’ve been watering every night for over a week because I don’t want to lose my herbs. We need a nice rain for sure…
You too Shaddy, rock Tuesday!! It’s gonna be a nice one
Aren’t you just the most productive little gal ever!! I would have begun with the sangria.. and had a nap;) I love, love, love your knitting.. don’t ever get bummed out.. I couldn’t knit a row evenly!! I’m so impressed with the recipes and the sangria as well! This blog post was such a joy to read.. you’ve spent the day doing everything you love! xoxo Smidge
Smidge!!!! YAY!!! I hope you’re doing well after your break
I’m so glad you’re back….
You’re right, it was a day filled with things I love. I think that’s why it relaxed me so much. I’m all for more days like this ASAP.
I hope it’s beautiful there today! It is here and I want everyone to get in on the perfect weather
Have a wonderful week Smidge!
Oh. my. goodness. Your day amazes me! So much knitting and time in the kitchen. Wow. Beautiful beautiful.
I absolutely hate the heat, so I’m with you on that one. It makes me soooo grumpy.
We’ve been a bit stingy and haven’t turned on the A/C yet. Big mistake last night…terrible. We finally got some rain during the night, though, and things are cooling down.
Now Sangria…I find it so yummy, but it has given me migraines in the past, such an unfortunate thing. Yours looks super delicious!
Grumpy, that’s exactly how I feel in the heat like that too. Thankfully it’s only 56 right now, with a high of 73. I’ll take as many of these summer days as possible, they give me a lot of energy and motivation. I’m looking forward to enjoying the patio today and just make something, probably knitting-related. Is it odd that knitting relaxes me so much? It seems odd for me, but I’m going with it
The Sangria was great! It was pretty darn refreshing. When Hubby wasn’t looking I added more club soda to tone down the wine a little because I get headaches like that too with certain (all) alcoholic beverages. It was so good!
Hopefully you won’t need that A/C this week. I hope it’s as nice up there as it is down here…..I’m glad you got some rain too, we desperately need it.
Happy Tuesday dear!