Wear It!

String Bikini Undies

Lingerie? Oh yes, I’m still going on about that.

Lingerie patterns are an ideal use of yarns like Tofutsies and Love because these yarns are soft and cuddly and breathe well as sleep wear.  Equally as important though, is that they are durable and washable. Try knitting the mohair panties I found in the book, Sexy Little Knits, and then wash them once. Yes, like I said chiten blends like Tofutsies and soy silk blends like Love or Bamboo are much more practical after the honeymoon.

Attention knitters of all curves and shapes: you must knit string bikini panties in Tofutsies to understand what clouds feel like to your tush!

A good mohair or angora would feel similar but who really wants to find tufts of that in places I won’t mention? The same reason Tofutsies is great for socks is what makes it great for sleepwear and undergarments, softness already mentioned, it is the wash ability and durability that makes this yarn so sexy! Patterns that are washed more frequently like unders, socks and baby projects need a yarn that can hold up. Speaking of unders…

 The set to the left is an example of a more involved pattern requiring sewing and elastic, too complicated! Let's keep it fun and quick. Instead I found a project for the next slumber party your teen queen throws or for the next bridal shower you can’t quite think of a gift for: String bikini panties!

Warning: This is a good project for those knitters who won’t feel compelled to walk around showing people their latest accomplishments or God forbid promoting Soysilk yarns in the same fashion.      (Maybe this is not a good project for teen knitters after all).

    String Bikini underwear are an evening-ish project depending on the size and fit of the underpants. I know what you are all thinking about little tie string panties but trust me string bikini under wear fit most curves very well because they are so adjustable around the hips. Add a little elastic around the edges for a perfect cling or knit tightly for a snug fit as fiber does stretch out a bit. Thongs are a personal choice but fit every bottom half with half the knitting time required for bikini styles and half the yarn. Just a suggestion for those little bits of left over yarn in your closets.

Check out the next installation in lingerie because if string bikinis are not your thing, next week’s suggestions for sleep wear and rethinking old patterns might just fit the bill. Pear Shapes, next week is your week, but as always, keep reading ladies because I never leave anyone’s shape undressed,OH! I mean unADDRESSED!

Here are links to a couple of free patterns that I dug up from the internet to get you started...

XOXOXOXO, Lena Walker Smith

http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/na_knitting/article/0,2025,DIY_14141_3537734,00.html

 

Feeling daring girls? This next pattern for a quick and comfy thong is an evening of fun with girl friends I promise:

http://kn1t.com/patterns/frecklegirl_thong/index.html

© 2005 kn1t.com. All Rights Reserved.

Lingerie? Oh la la, yes...

 

 

Lingerie? Oh la la, yes…

Rockin' out at bedtime this Love Lingerie design by Lori Steinberg sexes up knit wear in this free pattern from the Vickie Howell collection.Click on the image to see more detail.

Usually I deal in outer-wear; however, I am obsessed with Love by Vickie Howell and what better time to promote patterns for skin caressing unders, than right before the heat starts!  I am from a hot climate and in the summer time I want as little fabric touching my flesh as possible. So, since I am too shy to join a nudist colony, I stick to non-sticky fabric like Love.

The so called "youth movement" within the knitting industry has given rise to a slew of lingerie knitting patterns of the naughty (knotty) variety. Yarn is sexy. Say it loud ladies “Yarn is sexy!” You don’t have to be a wild child to wear out this fabulous short set, and believe me you won’t want to take it off once you glide into it. Ooh.

As I hunt the newest ideas in knit patterns I am always a little too thrilled when I come across lingerie. Just recently I saw corsets, panties, merri-widows, stockings and bikinis that I would kill to have! Get an eyeful of the beautiful patterns I went ga ga over in a book called Sexy Little Knits, it is full of patterns for delicates and intimates touted by celebs of all curves and shapes. The pattern for this little short set however, is available free with a purchase of Love from Soysilk.com in the Vickie Howell collection.

The vibrant blue set photographed above is breezy, cuddly and doesn’t take a lifetime to make. The drawstring shorts make a great swim cover-up too! Note that the great detail in the center is visually slimming and revealing at the same time! This set is so versatile that it is perfect for Short Torsos and Long Torsos as well as small or large busts. This model is a petite Hourglass with a short torso and curvy bust. Not many patterns can suit such a wide variety of body types. For long torsos, add length to the top until the hem reaches just past the drawstring. For Larger Busts, add width on either side of the center design front and back. Enjoy the breeze through that design by the way…and check in next week as lingerie continues to inspire your wardrobe!                                       

Oh lala,

Lena Walker Smith

 

Apples both Well Endowed and Otherwise

Apples both well endowed and otherwise…

The following patterns are all available at Soysilk.com

Apples you know I love you. I have some great summer suggestions for fun clothes that are versatile enough to get several seasons of use. In the last blog I suggested staying away from bamboo and silk blends for tops but this blog is about how to get enjoyment out of these fibers and still feel comfortable. Bamboo and silk blends are so soft and feel so good in hot weather. Try an open weave, sleeveless poncho over your usual summer tanks and you’ll feel the cool texture of these yarns on your skin and visually skim over any tummy troubles that most summer-wear points and giggles at. The model to the left is a petite Apple shape with a short torso.
          The poncho shape is popular decade after decade because the triangle shape is slimming. The eye follows the shape to its narrowing point and it creates the illusion of slimming the figure. Choose a poncho pattern that is open and airy because this look that can go from casual to dressy depending on the yarn chosen. Knit one for every season because the poncho look doesn’t have to be heavy or bulky. Also this is a fun way to mix up color combinations, the open knit reveals the color underneath so be creative and try a brighter color underneath.

    For a larger bust on an Apple Shape (not that the girl in this picture is an apple or busty) the Blue Bayou vest is a beautiful way to elongate the apple shape and to divide and separate a well-endowed chest. The long open front creates a straight line in the midst of the Apple’s namesake area slimming it (tummy area). The open area over the breasts doesn’t visually bind them in. Instead the open shape comes to another triangle shape at the tie and divides the chest into three smaller shapes instead of one large bosom.

 

                                                                                                                                                                  Another great version of this look, which is great for a small bust on an Apple shape is the Twize Tweed Vest. The difference between the two is subtle, the tie is in a different place. If the vest comes together at the chest over the breasts then the vest is distorted and stretched out if a large bust hides underneath. If the garment comes together loosely under the breasts such as in the Blue Bayou vest then the chest is not stretched out. Over a small chest this is not an issue so the Twize Tweed vest keeps it’s intended shape and still slims the tummy area.

In Bamboo, silk, Tofutsies or any Soy silk variety both of these patterns feel good season to season depending on what they are layered with. The fabulous texture of silk, soy silk and bamboo are so yummy. Be creative with your summer wardrobe; shapes like the upside down triangle, open weave patterns and tricks like garments that create lines straight up and down your middle are all great for an Apple shape's figure. Feed the craving for cool textures in hot weather and lengthen your shape at the same time! Knit on girlfriends and stock up on bamboo and silk blends because lingerie is a subject I am eager to get to soon and what could feel better under the covers next to your skin? Besides Brad Pitt…?
Until next week,

Lena Walker Smith