Knitting Lingerie Style-Along

Possible Yarn Substitute

I just bought a ball of Elann's Callista as a potential yarn substitute for Classic Elite Interlude (linen and silk blend) on the Surplice Bodice Camisole.  It has a nice smooth feel to it, but I haven't swatched with it yet.  Much more economical if it works!!

Feel free to create new posts about other possible yarn substitutes!

What do you want to knit first??

I am trying to decide what I want to knit first from the book - I know we have some time as the KAL doesn't officially start until July 1, but which patterns are you all eyeing?  Introduce yourself and tell us which designs you like!

I am thinking of making the Shaped Lace Tee first with Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece (Cascade Sierra's alter ego) in Putty.  Other possibilities (or next up) are the Waist Cincher Top or the Surplice Bodice Camisole.  I would like to try one of the bras and/or the One-Piece Wonder though too, just because I've never tried anything like that before.

Looking forward to this!!

Sizing Details

Here are the measurements for every pattern in the book - most are finished measurements unless I indicated "to fit".  Hope this helps!

1. Basic Bra and Panties 32A – 38D; finished high hip 23” -35”
2. Retro Ribby Twinset  Shrug 34 ½” – 50”; tank 31” – 47”
3. Citrus Sun Top 28-38 ½ underbust
4. Gracefully Gathered Halter Top and Boy Short: halter 32”-44 ½” chest; boy short 32 – 44 ½” hip
5. Chocolate Crème Square Neck Top 33-53”
6. Basic Slip 30-51” chest and hip; 23 ½” - 44 ½” waist
7. Party Dress with Knit Bodice 31 ½” – 50” chest
8. Silk Slip 27 ¾” – 40 ½” underbust, cup sizes A-D
9. Fit-n-Flare Trumpet Skirt  28 ½ - 42 ¾” waist before elastic insertion; 33 ¾” – 50 ¾” hip
10. One Piece Wonder to fit bra sizes 32A – 38D
11. Basic Corset 31” – 45” chest
12. Corset-Bodice Nightgown – 31 ½” – 50” chest
13. Embossed Leaf and Cable Merry Widow Shell – 33 – 45” chest
14. Feather Trimmed Cabled Bustier and Fingerless Gloves – to fit 33 – 40” chest
15. Waist Cincher Top – 34 – 54” chest
16. Laced Front Sweater: to fit 32”– 47” chest (actual measurements 28 – 41” chest)
17. Basic camisole – 31 ½” – 50” chest
18. Shaped lace tee – 33 ½” - 56” chest
19. Ruched camisole – 31-43” chest
20. Tank with 3-D crochet embellishments 30 ½” – 54 ½” chest
21. Surplice Bodice Camisole 31 ½” – 43 ½” chest
22. Silk and Pearls Cami 30-46” chest
23. Basic Stockings - to fit ladies shoe sizes 6-9
24. Lacy Summer Socks - to fit ladies shoe sizes 6-9 “
25. Embroidered Stockings – will stretch to fit all shoe sizes
26. Fishnet Knee-Highs - to fit ladies shoe sizes 6-9
27. Tiny Tailored Gartini – 23-31 high hip
28. Basic Baby Doll and Panty – 33-55” chest
29. Bed Jacket 30-57” chest
30. Leggings with Mesh Sides 28 ½” – 41” high hip
31. Racerback Tank with Mesh Sides 29-47 ¼” chest
32. Arm Warmers (n/a)

Pattern Size Range

One great question I got from quite a few people is whether the range of sizes offered in the book's patterns is wide enough (on the small and large end) for everyone to be able to knit from the book.

Later today I will try to get time to look at each pattern in the book and list the size range for each, but my general impression is that it was very fair. The author, Joan McGowan-Michael, has been quoted a number of times regarding her philosophy that women of every size should be able to feel sexy in beautiful lingerie and clothing, which I think is great.

I have ordered a number of her patterns before the book came out at her site, White Lies Designs, and I thought that most of her patterns went up to 50".  In fact, I thought that the individual patterns tended to have more sizes at the high end rather than the low end of the range, and remember being a little peeved that one pattern started at 36". I think Joan must have gotten some comments about this because she definitely addressed both ends of the size range in her book.

I emailed Joan last night and she did mention that she will have a yahoo group where she will give ideas on how to adjust the sizing in the book, provide alternate yarn suggestions and link to her snapshots from the photo shoot. I will link to this group in the sidebar. I also plan to set up a Flickr group for finished projects!  This is going to be fun!

Email me to Join!

Hi everyone,

I just started this knitalong for Joan McGowen-Michael's new book, Knitting Lingerie Style.  I will be building out the blog in the next few weeks, but in the meantime, email me to join at rmartin_cpa at hotmail dot com!!

Thanks,

Robin