Yeah, I know I’ve done this one before. But I was never happy with it. Reading the first few sentences of the post from two years ago shames me. I love this designer, I knit her patterns all the time, and yet I never share the post because there is a lady in her underwear on the cover? C’mon, me! Get it together! The thought has been in the back of my mind to re-write the review, but I finally got the kick-in-my-pants to do it when I saw how many readers were finding my site (thanks!) by searching for this book. Let’s do it proudly and properly this time.
“Quite simply, lingerie is the very first layer of clothing a woman puts on and the last layer she takes off. It holds and shapes a woman into whatever form is dictated by the trends of the day and also symbolizes femininity, eroticism, and the mysteries of intimacy.” –Knitting Lingerie Style, Joan McGowan-Michael
I read that first paragraph back when I first got this book, and noticed immediately that McGowan-Michael took her underwear far more seriously than I ever have. I appreciate that level of dedication in a person, even if I only care about whether my undergarments are clean or not. You’re welcome for that mental image.
Knitting Lingerie Style is split into chapters, each one focusing on an item of underclothing. Chapter one features the bra, with both an actual, well-written pattern for knitting your own bra with a matching bottom, moving on to a twinset with similar front shaping, to a 1940’s inspired design for a tailored crop-top, and more. Each pattern in this section focuses on bust shaping. Chapter two focuses on the concept of the slip, but also contains a lovely knitted trumpet skirt as a play on a half-slip. This chapter also contains the cover pattern One-Piece Wonder, which is designed to be a bra, underwear, slip, and garter belt in one. Before you look at this and think what occasion ever on earth would I wear this, McGowan-Michael sees you coming and suggests you wear it with a skirt and cardigan (jeans might also be cute) and treat it as a top.
The following chapter centers on the concept of the corset, with one actual corset pattern (complete with boning), and the others with the basic shape as the focus. Chapter four (my personal favorite) contains designs focused around the camisole, including the Shaped Lace Tee (also known as the Krista Tee, which is one of her most popular designs). I knit one years ago, and it’s on my list to knit again now that I…uh…understand the concept of matching a yarn to a pattern. Used a rough, thick cotton, wearing the finished tee wore (and draped) like a cardboard box. Cute!
There is also a chapter on stockings, and you know how I feel about socks. Naturally, the book contains a pattern for a pair of knee-high fishnets, but there is also a pair of more solid knee-highs with a cute lacey edge. Chuck in a design for short summer socks and also an underwear set with adjustable garter straps. And yes, despite how far I’ve come with body positivity between now and the first post about this book, I still struggle with saying the ‘p’ word. You know, the bottom half of your underoos! Undergarments. Bottom-half containment devices. A pair of…panties. Eee-yuk! I’ll get over it. Baby steps. Hate that word. Honestly not sure why.
Knitting Lingerie Style finishes up with a section on lounge/night wear, with a knitted baby doll, mesh leggings, a matching tank top, lacy wrist-warmers, and a bed jacket.
If you’re into clothing with a lacey, feminine edge, you can’t go wrong with Joan McGowan-Michael. Just saying, if she ever feels like coming out with another book I’ll get right on it!
And by the way, if you’re interested, I now have a Patreon! I’ll be sharing progress photos, musings, yarny-thoughts, and possibly ghostly sightings. It sounds like a whole lot of fun, and if you can hang with me I would really appreciate it. Check out the link on the main menu of this page.
Speaking of ghostly, next week I’ll be on the USS Wisconsin! Nothing like a really haunted battleship to kick spring into gear!