I finished the tube top I began in the hospital. Unfortunately, it doesn’t fit so well 
The gauge called for is 13×20 in st st and 18×22 in 2×2 rib. I chose the 36″ bust (smaller than what I needed) based on previous experience. Although I did not use exactly the same yarn, my gauge was 14×20 which over the 122 cast on stitches should have taken the measurement down to 35 1/4″ or so. My 2×2 gauge was 16×22 which is a little off, but the whole purpose of rib is stretch anyway, so I wasn’t worried about that part at all. Oh, and I did knit it in the round instead of flat, but since the gauge was basically on, I didn’t think that was a problem.
I can’t believe the top part is too big! I even tried wet blocking which can make things bigger, but what I hoped to do what stretch it out lengthwise a bit so that the width would shrink. Guess I wasn’t aggressive enough with stretching the length because if anything, it seems just a little bigger in the width. Arrgh! Normally I wouldn’t mind giving this to someone else, but i REALLY like it and 
is just not an option.
Advice, suggestions??? Maybe I could put a peice of elastic in the top? If so, what would be the best way to do it? Maybe I could pick up stitches along the top knit 2-3 rows then fold where I picked up the stitches to make a little tube for the elastic? Afraid that might look dumb though.
The yarn is Debbie Bliss Chunky Cashmerino:
Composition: 55% Merino wool, 33% Microfibre, 12%
Cashmere
Weight and yardage: Approx. 82 yards / 75m per 50g
Wash: 30°C gentle wool cycle
US 11 / 7.5mm
If I wet and then dry it do I risk too much shrinkage?
