Meet Naja

I've been knitting, I swear. It's just not possible to show you all of the pieces, but for the past few weeks the needles have been working furiously, and as of this morning I counted 4 tops, a Huge Garment of Some Secrecy, and two fall sweaters.

One of my favourites, mainly for its modest simplicity and its flattering shape, is this tank which I've christened "Naja", knit in a size medium (bust size 36 - 38) with just under 4 skeins of Nathalie (100% bamboo) in colourway Cair Paravel:



There's a rather Missoni look about it that easily takes it from sunning at a garden party in Poughkeepsie to gazing across the Med at Pompeii (Naja tank seen here in Nathalie, colourway Ursula):



Although the tank pattern is written for a fitted look (see first photo above), wearing it knit in a larger size lends it an elegantly slouchy insouciance:



These Naja tanks have proven such a quick knit, each only took 4 days from start to finish -- just in time for the rest of the summer.

Now, I am a cashmere girl through and through. But the bamboo is cool and smooth as silk against the skin. Imagine: a garment that instantly cools you off -- now, that's a summer wardrobe staple if I ever heard one. If only I had the time, I'd make at least 4 more of these, since they've been much cooler to wear in this heat and humidity than a cotton or linen shirt.

Hmm... if there's enough interest, I might be persuaded to make this a free pattern...