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                        |  by Karen Stockton
    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
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                           Bra: Measure to fitPanty: XS[S, M, L, XL]
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                        | Bust: Measure to fit
Hip: 36[38, 40, 42, 44]
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                        |   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 |   
                        |   |   
                        
                        
                        | 24 sts/32 rows = 4" in stockinette 
                            stitch |   
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                              Bra BandFirst 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 
                                LeftCO 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.
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                        | 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).
  
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                        |   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. |   
                        | Pattern & images 
                          © 2004 Karen Stockton. Contact Karen |  |