Knitting Lingerie Style-Along

I have cast on!

Ok it took me a long while, but I've decided on my project.  See the first one I wanted to do was the Trumpet Skirt, but I want to dye my own yarn for it, and have not bought the yarn yet.  So that's on hold.  I also want to make the Surplice Bodice, but haven't decided on yarn.  So I finally decided on the laced front sweater because I've got yarn in my stash for it!  It's RYC Cashsoft DK in a pretty green color.  I think that it's going well so far, and I love this yarn.  I've worked with it a few times, and it's just so soft and fun.  If I could only ever work in one yarn, this would be it!  Anyway I'm almost to row 24, a little further than in the pic but it's going fast, I only started a bit ago.  I can tell this will be a fun knit!

Waist Cincher Top- Day 1

I cast on for the Waist Cincher Top today, and have been enjoying it so far. I'm just using some dark brown stash yarn that I had kicking around. A read though of the pattern suggests that it's going to be a great basic top with the lacy details as a bit of oomph. I already know I don't want to do the yarn over for the faux bust darts, so I think I'll eliminate them entirely (after all, it's a ssk and a yo, which means the stich count isn't changing). So far, this is back panel and where I'm at:

Surplice Bodice Cami Progress

I am surprised at how fast this is going - I finished the back yesterday and started and finished the right front in just a few hours.

I hadn't realized that the bust darts are actually yarn overs (HOLES!) so there is no way I would have worn this without a cami - which makes me feel better about my decision to go with Elann Callista. It is creating fabric that is just a little drapey and see-through, but even if it wasn't I wouldn't have worn it without anything under it b/c of the yarn overs on the top. The bottom part wouldn't have bothered me.

Interview with Joan M-M and Lingerie Hardware Kits

Hi everyone,

Just wanted to let you know that our very own KLS member Adrienne has her interview posted with Joan McGowan-Michael as part of her latest Inspirational Wednesday podcast.  It's great - check it out - and leave some positive feedback on iTunes or their show notes if you like the podcast.  I don't know how she gets time to podcast with everything else she does, but she and her co-host Toya do it consistently, and do a great job of it at that!

I also was browsing around on Joan's web site and found hardware kits for some of the lingerie items, like adjustable straps and slides for the garters - but I really was impressed with the corset kit and the bra kit.  Less than $10 each, these have everything you need as far as underpinnings for these more unique knitted garments.  There is also a one-piece wonder kit for $14.50, still reasonable given the (seeming) complexity of this garment. I admit that I had wondered where I would get some of these "ingredients", and now I feel like I could tackle knitting these as I would have the components.

Quick Picture-Less Post

I decided to go with the Surplice Bodice Camisole for my first project and I cast on for the back with Elann Callista on Sunday.  So far, so good - even though the yarn is recommended to be knit at 22 stitches to 4 inches vs. the 18 stitches to 4 inches for the pattern, it is not really that "holey" at the larger gauge. It has a lot of drape to it as well and the Callista has a little bit of a shine to it.  I'll take a picture once I have more done - I have almost 3" done now.  One small "beef" on this one - looks like there is a lot of picking up involved - not my favorite knitting trick - but it is worth it b/c it's so cute!

Another New Member!

Hi, I'm Cheryl! ...In general, I am new to KAL's (this is my first!) and I am also new to blogging. I started a blog in preparation for joining this KAL.  I will blog at cherie8knits.blogspot.com.  Thank you Robin for starting this KAL!  My first project will be the Shaped Tee and then I will go on from there.  Tonight, I will cast on and check my digital camera and make sure its in working order.  I can't wait to see everyone's progress and the sharing of ideas, tips, and techniques along the way!

Fit-n-Flare - Done!

My Fit-n-Flare is done! And, as a bonus, I love it!

I made the somewhat questionable decision of making the trumpet skirt in Plymouth Blu Jeans, a denim cotton yarn. I purchased the yarn four years ago for my first major knitting project, a hoodie cardigan, completely lost interest, and had been feeling mild guilt ever since. I had been thinking about repurposing the yarn for a knitted skirt ever since I saw Eunny's several months ago. I figured I'd give the pattern a shot, and if the result didn't really flatter me, at least my oldest WIP would be off my back.

Adjustments/notes:

• The Blu Jeans works at a slightly smaller gauge, so I compensated by knitting one size up.
  
• I eliminated five sets of increases to allow for a slightly shorter length (also trying to take into account the nebulous shrinkage factor with the yarn) since I'm not quite 5' 4".
  
• I misread the instructions for the waistband and ended up working a row of eyelets on the front instead of just the one eyelet that I think the pattern indicates, but it doesn't really bother me. (I misread the K2tog, YO, continue to end as "Repeat K2tog, YO to end".)
• I used the Bond Embellish-Knit I-cord maker to make the drawstring because the thought of kniting nearly four feet of something 4 stitches wide made me want to poke out my own eyes.
  
• The skirt came out a little wider than I intended, so I reinforced the entire waistband with elastic thread to cinch it in a little.

The skirt is drapey, "swishy", and just fun to wear. I think the cotton works well for a summer skirt, and it isn't too heavy (instead of working the 5.5-6 st/inch recommended for the yarn, I got about 5 st/inch). I think I used about 8 or 9 balls (hard to tell, since most of it was in pieces frogged from the sweater). Working through the 400+ st rounds at the bottom of the skirt, I really doubted that I would knit the pattern again, but I'm so delighted with the finished product that I went online and splurged on the Diarufuran used in the book to make another one that's more colorful and interesting. I can't wait to get started on another one!

 

Hello!! Hello!

Hi Everyone.  My name is Andrea, and you can find me here.  I signed up a while ago, but this is my first post.  I also would like to thank Robin for starting this KAL.  I have been a fan of Joan McGowan-Michael   for quite a few years now.  I got a chance to meet her a couple of years ago at Stitches East when it was still in Atlantic City.  I just love her designs.  When the book came out, I just had to have it.  And let me tell you, she didn't disappoint me.  There is not one design in this book that I don't like.  I think I want to knit everything.  Of course I can't cast-on for that many projects all at once, so I've decided to start with the Shaped Lace Tee. 

I had some Cascade Sierra in my stash, so with this project I also get to destash at the same time.  I'm very happy about that.  I casted-on  yesterday and have about 5 inches done.

I'm trying to decide if I want to use the size 5 needle for shaping or if I want to just knit the whole thing with the size 7 needle.  Decisions, decisions!!  Let me know what you think.

Hello from a new member

Hi, my name is Anna and I blog at Annasflyingneedles. I have been lurking here for a while and finally became a member (Thanks Robin for such a fast response). The first project on my list is the Bed Jacket. I already bought the yarn, Sierra in light blue. After I saw the Bed Jacket Stitchywitch finished, I knew I had to knit one. The fact that it is made out of Sierra is a big bonus. I used this yarn for a sweater for my husband over a year ago and it has been holding incredibly well even after being machine washed and dried several times.

I also love the Silk and Pearl Cami and I am thinking about using Artyarns Regal Silk. I have three hanks in my stash in almost the same pale blue color. The gauge is different (5 stitches per inch for the Regal Silk vs. 4 stitches of Classic Elite Temptation) but hopefully I will be able to figure something out. I don`t want to buy more yarn right now as I have to save so I can splurge on Lorna`s Laces for the Fit-n-Flare Trumpet Skirt.   

Errata Posted at Yahoo Group

FYI, at Joan's Yahoo group for the book, there are errata for three patterns posted: the fishnet lace stockings, Retro Ribby Twinset, and the same tip I mentioned before here about the sleeve variation for the Shaped Lace Tee.  They are just text files, but I've attached them to this post and added a new category for Errata so they'll appear in the upper right sidebar.

Download fishnet_stockings.txt

Download ribby_retro_twinset.txt

Download sleeve_variation_for_shaped_lace_tee.txt