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Crank up the gramophone, soak in a hot bath, then slip into this 1930s inspired bra and tap-panty ensemble in lustrous silk-feel cotton. Delicate buttons close the flare-leg panty at each hip and the bra in back. Satin bias tape lines the bra band and panty waist, keeping things neat.

The panty shaping is quite simple, with short-rows gently curving the top edge. The finished effect is sheer, soft, and unadorned [think streamlined]. For this reason, there is no trim or edging, aside from the bias tape, and it is therefore ESSENTIAL that all pieces are well blocked [I highly recommend the pin and spray bottle method].

[My apologies for using obscure yarn. For this pattern, I recommend Filatura Di Crosa MilleFili Fine Yarn (100 % cotton). It's got great sheen and comes in a wide selection of colors]

photos: Karen Stockton

SIZE

Bra: Measure to fit
Panty: XS[S, M, L, XL]

 
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Bust: Measure to fit
Hip: 36[38, 40, 42, 44]

 

MATERIALS

Puppy St. Kitts [100% cotton; 153yds/140m per 40g skein]; color: 32 (pink); 4[4, 4, 5, 5] skeins
24 inch US #2/2.75 mm circular needle
Tapestry needle
5 small buttons
Embroidery needle
5/8 inch single fold satin bias tape (approx 2.5 yards) in a neutral tone

 

GAUGE

24 sts/32 rows = 4" in stockinette stitch

 
DIRECTIONS

Bra Band
First measure around your ribs [snugly, just below your breasts] to the nearest half inch. Add 1 to this number and multiply the result by 6. This is the number of sts you will CO for the bra band. For a smaller cup size [or less coverage] follow Small, for a larger cup size [or more coverage] follow Large: S[L].

CO ___ sts. Beg with a WS row, work 5 rows in St st.
Now take the number of sts you CO, subtract 20[24] and divide this number by 2. This is the number of sts you will now BO.
Next row: BO ___ sts, k 20[24], att second ball and BO rem sts.
Cont with main ball in St st and dec one st at the beg of each row until no sts rem.

Bra Left
CO 18[21] sts.
Next row [WS]: P.
*Next row: K1, m1, k to end.
Next row: P.*
Rep from * to* 17[20] times*. 35[41] sts
Next row [RS]: K1, m1, k to end.
*Next row: BO 6, p to end.
Next row: K1, m1, k to last st, turn work.*
Rep * to* 5[6] times.*
BO 6[7] rem sts.

Bra Right
Work as for Bra Left with reverse shaping.

Panty Left Back
CO 83[87, 90, 93, 96] sts. Beg with a WS row, work 3 rows in St st.
Next row: Dec 1, k to end.
Next row: P.
Work 2 rows even.
Next row: Dec 1, k to end.
Next row: P.
Next row: Dec 13, k to end.
Next row: P.
Next row: Dec 4, k to end.
Next row: P.
Next row: Dec 3, k to end.
Next row: P.
Next row: Dec 2, k to end.
Next row: P.
Dec 1 at beg of the next and then every foll 2nd row 3 times, then every foll 4th row 4[4, 4, 2, 2] times, and then every foll 8th row 2[3, 3, 5, 5] times.
49[52, 55, 58, 61] sts rem.
Work 5 rows even.
Next row: K 37[39, 42, 45, 47], wrap the next st, turn work.
Next row: P.
Next row: K 26[27, 30, 33, 34], wrap the next st, turn work.
Next row: P.
Next row: K 17[18, 20, 22, 22], wrap the next st, turn work.
Next row: P.
Next row: K 8[9, 10, 11, 11], wrap the next st, turn work.
Next row: P.
BO (picking up wraps and working them tog with sts as you go).

Panty Right Back
CO 83[87, 90, 93, 96] sts.
Beg with a WS row, work 2 rows in St st.
Cont as for Panty Left Back, with reverse shaping.

Panty Left Front
CO 72[76, 79, 82, 85] sts. Beg with a WS row, work 2 rows in St st.
Next row: Dec 1, p to end.
Next row: K.
Work 2 rows even.
Next row: Dec 1, p to end.
Next row: K.
*Next row: Dec 4, p to end.
Next row: K.*
Repeat * to * once more*.
Next row: Dec 2, p to end
Next row: K.
Next row: Dec 1, p to end.
Next row: K.
Dec 1 at beg of next and then every foll 4th row 10[8, 8, 8, 8] times, then every foll 6th row 0[3, 3, 2, 2] times, and then every foll 10th row 0[0, 0, 1, 1] times. 48[51, 54, 57, 60] sts
Work 2[0, 0, 4, 4] rows even.
Next row: K.
Next row: P30[32, 34, 36, 38], wrap the next st, turn work.
Next row: K.
Next row: P14[15, 16, 17, 18], wrap the next st, turn work.
Next row: K.
BO (picking up wraps and working them tog with sts as you go).

Panty Right Front
CO 72[76, 79, 82, 85] sts.
Beg with a WS row, work 3 rows in St st.
Cont as for Panty Left Front, with reverse shaping.

FINISHING

Block pieces to pattern measurements. This is ESSENTIAL.
Attach Bra Left and Bra Right to Bra Band.
Attach button to one end of bra band.
Overcast the other end with a button-hole stitch, and then make an overcast button loop.
Carefully stitch satin bias tape to the inside of Bra Band. (For thread, use one ply of MC, untwisted from the yarn).

Make Bra Straps
Knot together four generous lengths of MC. Separate the lengths into pairs and twist each pair tightly. Hold these two pieces together and let them untwist. If done correctly, the pieces will wind around each other. Knot the end. Use this cord for bra straps. Attach appropriate length bra straps.
Seam Panty Left Back and Panty Right Back.
Seam Panty Left Front and Panty Right Front.
(Now there are two pieces: Panty Back and Panty Front.)
Seam Panty Front and Panty Back along the 1 inch inseams.
Seam Panty sides, leaving a 1.5 inch opening at the top edge of each side.
Attach 2 buttons to the Front side of each opening. Make corresponding overcast loops on the Back sides.
Carefully stitch satin bias tape along the inside, top edge of Panty Back and Front. (Attach along the top edge of the tape only, then secure the bottom edge of the tape at the ends and front and back seams).

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

Karen lives in Kyoto, Japan, with her husband and cats, where she teaches high school English.

She will spend the wilting days of summer dreaming up projects, when the students have vacation but the teachers do not. Sigh.