Knitting Lingerie Style: More Than 30 Basic and Lingerie-Inspired Designs

by Joan McGowan-Michael, Thayer Allyson Gowdy (Photographer)

The only knitting book focused on lingerie and lingerie-inspired designs

Underwear has come out. Once kept demurely concealed, lingerie now pervades every fashion category, inspiring designs for day looks, loungewear, evening clothes, and accessories. Slips have become dresses unto themselves. Bra straps are meant to peek out from under tank tops. Camisoles are worn on their own or as layers over or under other clothes. Now, with Knitting Lingerie Style, designer Joan McGowan-Michael interprets this undeniable fashion trend for the knitter and, along the way, shares fascinating stories about lingerie history. Did you know that it was airplane magnate Howard Hughes who masterminded the underwire bra?

McGowan-Michael’s 30-plus designs, stunningly photographed by Thayer Allyson Gowdy, range from the truly functional—knitted bras, slips, corsets, camisoles, and stockings—to the purely fun. The brassiere inspires a curvature-enhancing twinset. The baby doll negligee is the basis for a lacy little gown and a matching thong set that’s both luxurious and (slightly) notorious. And a ribbed, laced-front sweater is an updated—and much more comfortable!—take on the classic corset.

The only book of its kind on the market, Knitting Lingerie Style includes projects that are bold and sexy, daring us all to bare a little skin, as well as more understated and demure, with sizes ranging from petite to plus.

Genres: Knitting, Crafts, Nonfiction, Reference, How To

160 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2007

Reviews

[Manny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Phwoar! It's got... knitting.



And... knitting.



And... more knitting.



Sorry, what was the question again?

[Josephine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually really love this book... have yet to attempt some of the patterns but one can dream of making a knitted corset or bra and panty set... the other items of clothing are really lovely as well and very feminine.
Would recommend this book to friends, if they don't like knitted underwear, there's other items in there such as lacy tops, skirts, socks, etc. Patterns are pretty easy to follow and written in high detail.

[Michelle Browne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is definitely a book for advanced knitters. While the instructions and patterns are laid out very nicely and with great detail, a lot of them are very, very fitted. It would help the reader if they did some research on how pattern-fitting actually works - why the proportions of sweaters are so, what sleeves do, how to accent the body, etc - before they attempted these. For example, dolman sleeves are different from raglan sleeves, and those are different from an oversized sleeve or boxy fit as well. Also, gauge swatches are a MUST for this book! Still, it's a great way to level up your knitting and challenge yourself. The only "bad" pattern is the panty garter, and that's only because I'm just not convinced by knit panties. Still, there are plenty of graceful and wearable sweaters and cardigans in this, and some incredibly cute sock and stocking designs. It's the sophisticated kind of sexy, and not a tacky novelty book (which I also love - fight me!).

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm afraid that the cover of this book is quite misleading. When I saw it, I assumed that it would be completely filled with patterns for knitted lingerie. That, however, is not the case. I actually picked up this book because I was curious. I wanted to see how someone could manage to fill up a book with lingerie knitting. But there are actually lots of pattern in it, such as: shirts, lacy over-jackets, socks, and even a dress. I saw one pattern in this book that look particularly nice, it was a skirt. I would love to knit it someday, it was appropriately long and very sweet looking, the only problem I had was that the picture displaying it was a little risque. That being said, there are several photographs that I would label "sketchy" or even "sensual," and this is probably not something that I would leave just lying around the house. This is an interesting book, but probably not something I would recommend.

*Taken from my book reviews blog: http://reviewsatmse.blogspot.com/2009...

[Tonileg · Rating 2 out of 5]

Beautiful hardcover large format book with about 31 different patterns.
The patterns are broken down in sections: Bra, slip, corset, camisole, stocking, lounge/nightwear
I really like the Shaped Lace Tee (page 91) in white (or I might try it in a light baby pink) and it is for 33.5, 38, 42.5, 47, 51.5, 56 inch chest will need 3, 3, 4, 4, 5, 5 skeins (191 yds/100g cascade sierra 80%cotton/20%wool) and 4.5mm / 3.75mm needles with a gauge: 16sts and 24 rows in patt B using 4.5mm needles
IF I have time this spring, I'll try to make the cute Bed Jacket (page 139) with an open front rounded shape with set-in sleeves. 30, 34.5, 39, 43.5, 48, 52.5, 57 in chest needs 6, 6, 7, 7, 8, 8, 9 skeins (191 yds/100g cascade sierra 80%cotton/20%wool) and 5.5mm needles with a gauge : 18sts and 24 rows in stst on 5.5mm needles.
160 pages
2 stars

[gudetamama · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was hoping to find a pattern that could convince me that knitted underwear can be sexy, but no such luck. I'll pass on the knitted panties, baby dolls or "gartinis", thanks. However, this teaches you how to knit a bra, which though impractical (?) gives you a good lesson on forming/putting together knitted pieces. Some tops would work as layering pieces: the Lace Tee is lovely, and there were a few nice "corsets" that'd make sweet sweater vests. And of course the lace patterns you could always use somewhere else. Read with the "inspired" part of "lingerie-inspired" firmly in mind, instead of looking for lingerie, and this'll make more sense.

[Alana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Did I not add any of my knitting books to Goodreads? Evidently not.
Well, I have yet to complete a project from this book, but I think the book and the pictures are just beautiful. I've started the boudoir jacket (perhaps one of the least risque items), mainly because I have no idea where I could get things like garter hardware or corset boning in Brooklyn. I'll work my way up to that, I suppose.

[Abbey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not at all my cuppa. Well-written and has gorgeous pix, but the 'way too small sizings, awkward size and heft of the book itself, and the charted patterns made this unworkable for me. Not to mention the icky patterns themselves - geez, *who* in their right minds would wear much of this??? Yes, there were several nice-looking patterns (mainly nighties) but most of 'em appeared to be sleazy just for the "fun" of it! No thankx.

[Crissy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book just came in to the shop. At first I thought it looked silly - but then again, that's my opinion of most knitted lingerie. However, there were some really beautiful, sweet, sexy, not at all silly things that weren't necessarily lingerie. Plus, they look interesting to knit. And as a super-bonus, there are several patterns that include instructions for larger sizes.

[Terry · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book falls under the nice to look at, but not to use category. I would give it four stars (and possibly make something from it) if it had given a better idea of the weight/gauge of the different yarns used instead of only listing them by brand name. Yes, I can figure that information out on my own, but it should be included with the patterns in the book.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was a fan of her knitting style before I bought her book. I was pretty excited to see what she had come up with. I was kind of let down tho. There wasn't that much lingerie as I thought there would be and should be. Very pretty patterns but little misleading. Don't get me wrong I still like the book, just wish it had more lingerie patterns actually in it.

[J · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are a few interesting patterns in this book, though I definitely wouldn't wear any knitted lingerie. I really like the arm warmers and the socks are super cute. I've only made two things from this book and the directions are easy to follow.

[Rilana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty photos, nice patterns and I liked it a lot. My reason for giving this book 4 stars...there is quite a bit of pattern errata that needs to be looked up. It should have been caught before publish.

[Phobean · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful, but I'm far too lazy to knit my own bra. If only these types of knitting books came out when I was more industrious!

[BookMouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joan really has a fantastic handle of the knitted stich. The patterns in this book really show that knitting is not just for your grandma!! They're pretty and very tasteful.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great styles, clear directions, so retro they're avant-garde. I'm a beginning knitter.

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, although the bra and other items with bra cups wouldn't be big enough for me. Loved the camisole sweaters and socks.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good for fit and shaping.
All patterns in heavy weights (8 - 10ply mainly) for the styles.

[Laurie Traverse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful patterns.

[Mckinley · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't think any of this looks comfortable let alone supportive!