Book Review: Knitting Lingerie Style Part 2

Today I'm continuing the review of Knitting Lingerie Style by Joan McGowan-Michael*.

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Chapter 4:  The Camisole

Most of the patterns in this chapter are impractical for me.  I wear camisoles almost everyday that I work teaching.  Because of my chest, V-neck shirts are the most flattering but not always the most appropriate for schools.  To cover up what the neckline reveals, I have many many simple store-bought camisoles.  These patterns generally aren't that type of camisole.  The Surplus Bodice Camisole though is a beautiful top that I would definitely wear to a school with a button down underneath.  I've never been a sweater vest person (they're too bulky and just add on the pounds for me) but this top is lightweight and uses a lot of lacework in the body.  And it also has my darts :o)

Chapter 5:  The Stocking

This might just be my favorite chapter.  Surprising right?  I've never even made a pair of socks.  But most sock patterns just don't appeal to me.  Knee socks are my favorite thing to wear in the winter but there seems to be a lacking of patterns out there for these.  Enter Knitting Lingerie Style.  There are 3 knee or higher sock patterns, one calf sock, and yes even the garter belt pattern to hold them all up.  Another plus:  they're all knit toe-up.  Thank you Joan, thank you so very much.

Chapter 6:  Lounge/Night Wear

How can you have a lingerie knitting book without for-the-bedroom knits??  OK so they're not really that risque, but the idea is there.  The chapter opens up with the Basic Baby Doll and Panty is very cute and I think the top can be worn as a top if you had something under it.  Maybe.  It might require some reworking.  Now comes my favorite pattern in the entire book:  Leggings with Mesh Sides.  I have the hardest time finding stockings/leggings that fit me.  I love that with this, I have a pattern to knit my own.  They go mid-calf on the model, but can easily be extended to the ankle or shortened to the knees.  They can take the place of store bought cheap junky nylons and be much much warmer in the winter if I want to wear a skirt.  I definitely want to make these eventually.

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Overall, I think this books is great.  I love the fashion history given at the intro to each chapter.  And though the patterns are no lingerie in the way we think of, they are all inspired by and embellished upon traditional undergarments.  I'm not sure I'll want to bring this back to the library.  Might have to invest eventually and purchase it.

*All photos have been taken from the respective Ravelry sites.  I have not been compensated for this review in any way.  This book has not been given to me, nor purchased by me.  It has been used as a library resource.

1 There is no photo on the book's Ravelry page so this one is taken from mysweetoldetc's project page

Publishing Information

McGowan-Michael, Joan.  Knitting Lingerie Style.  STC Craft:  New York, 2007.

ISBN-13: 978-1-58479-577-3

Ravelry here

Amazon here

Publisher here

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Book Review: Knitting Lingerie Style Part 1

I mentioned a bit ago that I took Knitting Lingerie Style by Joan McGowan-Michael* out of the library to help promote more investment in knitting books.  I can't say how much I love this book!  I really really really want to knit so many patterns from it.

The book is divided into chapters based on a specific undergarment.

Chapter 1:  The Bra

Breasts, as any woman knows, can be rather unruly body parts.  They bounce, jiggle, sway, and flop as a matter of course.1  Boy, do I know it.  This is one of my favorite chapters.  The first pattern is of course the Basic Bra. This does not look like an easy pattern:  underwire, lots of sewing and seaming.  The knitting itself seems simple enough though.  The pattern accommodates sizes A-D, disappointing because just a few years ago I was a DD and would have been (as usual with "fancy" bras) left out again.  Luckily weight loss made them go down a bit but I still find it a bit unfair.  I'm not yet entirely convinced that this pattern will work for larger cups though.  The cup is knit in two piece but they're knit flat and therefore do not "cup" on their own.  But I'm not really sure how the actual construction affects this problem (fingers crossed that it will create a cup).

Most of the other patterns in this chapter would not work for my chest but I do like the Gracefully Gathered Halter Top and Boy Short.  This pattern just screams tankini (bathing suit) to me.  I don't generally wear tankinis but I would considered doing the top with a bikini bottom or the bottom with a regular top.  They also look like great shorts for the summer or perfect summer pajamas.  I really want to make this one.

Chapter 2:  The Slip

The Basic Slip pattern looks great as photographed in the book.  A perfect late spring/summer outfit with white leggings (those may actually be some pedal pushers though) underneath.  I also like the Fit-N-Flare Trumpet Skirt.  I would definitely wear something like that to work.  Just a bit fitted with that little flare and ruffle around the bottom (uh, I guess hence the title).  I also love the photo- her topless with long wavy hair covering herself at the top.  Probably something related to me seeing Splash at too young of an age.

Chapter 3:  The Corset

The corsets pictured in this chapter are not meant to give the impression of being saved for the bedroom.  I honestly don't think hand knit fabric is even the best idea for these garments.  What we are presented with are garments inspired by the corset- narrowing the waist and emphasizing the bust.  Only the first pattern, the Basic Corset, even uses boning and this is the only pattern that remotely resembles the traditional undergarment.  I really like most of the patterns in this chapter because they actually *gasp* work with my body.  My favorite is the Waist-Cincher Top.  Not, it does not lace up or sock in your gut.  It creates the idea of vertical lines through repeated yarn overs and also uses yarn overs over the bust to 1- create increases to accommodate and 2- create the visual of darts.  I love accommodated shaping and in sewing darts are a must for adjusting my clothes :o)

Tune back next time for the rest of the review!

*All photos have been taken from the respective Ravelry sites.  I have not been compensated for this review in any way.  This book has not been given to me, nor purchased by me.  It has been used as a library resource.
1 page 6, Knitting Lingerie Style
Publishing Information
McGowan-Michael, Joan.  Knitting Lingerie Style.  STC Craft:  New York, 2007.
ISBN-13: 978-1-58479-577-3
Ravelry here
Amazon here
Publisher here

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