$2 of every sale in the month of June will be donated to Oceana to help protect, preserves and restore our oceans.

And in light of recent events, for the same month of June I will also be donating $2 to Black Lives Matter.

What happened with George Floyd was never ok, and I want to give back as much as I can to both of these great organizations fighting for sustainable change.

I love that our community and the fiber business can consistently give back to the world through patterns on Ravelry. It’s become a mission of mine to always have a few patterns released with portions of the proceeds being donated.

The Fish Tank
By Corrado Lark

The Needs:

Needles:

• US 6 (4 mm) circular needle, long enough for the body stitches (32-60”)

Yarn:

• Julie Asselin Leizu DK (115g/260yds per skein, 90% SW Merino, 10% Silk), 1 (1, 1, 1) (2, 2, 2, 2) (2, 2, 3, 3) (3, 4, 4, 4) skeins.

Notions:

• A row counter/progress keeper
• A few stitch markers (3-4, testers: note how many you use please)

Gauge:

• 17 stitches and 23 rows per 4” blocked stockinette. Sizing:
• 1 (2, 3, 4) (5, 6, 7, 8) (9, 10, 11, 12) (13, 14, 15, 16)
• Strap width (in inches): 1 ½”.
• Strap width (in cm): 4 cm.
• Strap Length (in inches): 6” as written.
• Strap Length (in cm): 15 cm as written.
• Width of Front of Neck (in inches): 7” (7 ½ ”, 8”, 8”) (8”, 8 ½”, 8 ½”, 8 ½”) (8 ½”, 8 ½”, 9”, 9”) (9 ½”, 9 ½”, 10”, 10”)
• Width of Front of Neck (in cm): 18 (19, 20, 20) (20, 21 ½, 21 ½, 21 ½) (21 ½, 21 ½, 23, 23) (24, 24, 25, 25)
• Width of Back of Neck (in inches): 8” (9”, 9 ½”, 10”) (11”, 11 ½”, 11 ½”, 12”) (12”, 13”, 14”, 15 ½“) (16”, 17 ½”, 18”, 19”)
• Width of Back of Neck (in cm): 20 (22, 24, 25) (27, 30, 29, 31) (31, 33.5, 36, 39) (40, 44, 46, 48)
• Actual Bust (in inches, no ease): 29” (31”, 33”, 35”) (37”, 39”, 41.5”, 44”) (46”, 48”, 52”, 55.5”) (57.5”, 60”, 62”, 65”)
• Actual Bust (in cm, no ease): 74 (78, 83, 88) (93, 99, 105, 112) (117, 122, 132, 141) (146, 153, 158, 165) Knit body length to your size, use all of your suggested yarn amount or add an extra skein for sizes 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 for extra length or picking up the straps to make them thicker.

Techniques/Stitches Used:

• Knit, purl, slip stitches, backwards loop cast on, picking up a small amount of stitches. Beginner garment knitter friendly!

The Backstory:

So I knit this tank thinking it would get me to start working out more and I could look good wearing it. And it worked, even though honestly I could pull it off regardless and most people could if they gave it a shot. A tank top is a great layering piece, perfect for summer under a light cardigan or jacket. And I know I’ll be wearing it over my bikini this season, as y’all should too!

The yarn is a gorgeous silk blend by Julie Asselin who is one of my favorite people to run into at knitting events. I really hope we can get back to normal soon and hang out playing with yarn again soon!

When I was showing it to my friend Stephanie (of Asylum Fibers acclaim) and we were trying to come up with a good name, she came up with “Fish Tank”. But I mean, I designed it, so I can’t give her all the credit. Just credit where credit’s due. Lol jk ur welcome.

One day it was raining out, and I knew it was my opportunity to let this fish tank shine. So I took it and my tripod outside and got soaked for your viewing pleasure. Yes, I’m the man in the fish tank.

Sometimes things serendipitously happen at a certain time for certain reasons in our lives. I knew this tank was destined for something more, and it’s helped me realize another purpose of mine in life, and that is to give back to not only the knitting community with my design work, but the world.

I want to make this world a better place, and if I say I am, I can. With my affirmations in place, let’s act on the moment and come together as a community to save our fellow human and planet.