Carol - a fitted bralette knitting pattern

This bralette pattern is something different. Encased elastic edgings in the underbust and neckline mean this bralette actually works - even for the bustiest babes. Yes, you really can make a bralette which fits you the way you deserve.

The Carol Bralette was designed to be functional, not a quick knit. This pattern uses a very fine gauge to create a technically sound design which can truly replace your store bought bralettes. A special technique is used for the arm and neckhole edgings which allows you to encase a 1/4" flat elastic (lingerie elastic). This upper elastic is what makes Carol so supportive. The straps are knit last so you can try on your garment for the perfect length, then kitchener stitch them together.

I've innovated a new way of determining bust size in knitting patterns which allows this bralette pattern to come with 44 different instruction sets for 11 band sizes and 4 different full bust ranges per band.

Construction

Carol is bottom up in the round. The straps are knit last and seamed with Kitchener stitch. German Short Rows are used to shape the cups. Elastic is sewn into the band, and can also be sewn into the neckhole and underarm edges. You can find two video tutorials for installing the band and neck elastic edgings on the One Wild Knitting Podcast YouTube Channel.

Sizes

1 (2, 3, 4) [5, 6, 7] (8, 9, 10, 11)

Elizabeth has innovated a new way of determining bust size in knitting patterns which allows this bralette pattern to come with 44 different instruction sets for 11 band sizes and 4 different full bust ranges per band.

Finished full bust measurement, Cup 1: 30.25 (33.5, 36.5, 39.75) [43, 46, 49.25] (52.5, 55.5, 57.75, 60) inches /  77 (85, 92.5, 101) [109, 117, 125] (133.5, 141, 146.5, 152.5) cm

Finished full bust measurement, Cup 2: 31 (34.25, 37.5, 40.75) [44, 47.25, 50.5] (53.75, 57, 59.25, 61.5) inches / 78.5 (87, 95.5, 103.5) [112, 120, 128.5] (136.5, 145, 150.5, 156) cm

Finished full bust measurement, Cup 3: 32 (35.25, 38.75, 42) [45.25, 48.75, 52] (55.25, 58.75, 61, 63.25) inches / 81.5 (89.5, 98.5, 106.5) [115, 124, 132] (140.5, 149, 155, 160.5) cm

Finished full bust measurement, Cup 4: 33.25 (36.75, 40.25, 43.5) [47, 50.5, 54] (57.5, 61, 63.5, 65.75) inches / 84.5 (93.5, 102, 110.5) [119.5, 128.5, 137] (146, 155, 161.5, 167) cm

Finished under bust circumference: 24.25 (28, 31.5, 34.75) [37.75, 41.25, 44.75] (48.25, 52.25, 54.5, 57) inches / 61.5 (71, 80, 88.5) [96, 105, 113.5] (122.5, 132.5, 138.5, 145) cm

Download the full schematic here.

Your best fit 

Choose the size closest to your actual upper chest measurement: 31 (34.25, 37.5, 40.75) [44, 47.25, 50.5] (53.75, 57, 59.25, 61.5) inches / 78.5 (87, 95.5, 103.5) [112, 120, 128.5] (136.5, 145, 150.5, 156) cm.

Choose the size closest to your actual under bust measurement: 24.75 (28.5, 32.25, 35.75) [39.75, 43.5, 47] (50.75, 55, 59.25, 62.5) inches / 63 (72.5, 82, 91) [101, 110.5, 119.5] (129, 139.5, 150.5, 159)

Upper chest is measured above the full bust, at an angle close to diagonal beneath the underarms, and straight across the back.

Carol is designed to fit with approximately 90-95% negative ease at the fullest part of your bust.

Elizabeth is wearing size X, Cup X, with X inches / X cm of negative ease at the full bust. Her upper chest is 34 inches / 85 cm.

Yarn

Sample shown in La Bien Aimee Merino Single

100% organic cotton ; 400 yds / 365 m per 100 g skein. This is a soft, single ply fingering weight yarn. The final fabric has a crisp stitch definition.

Yardage (shown in Romance): 326 - 1086 yds / 298 - 993 m; 1 - 3 skeins.

If you wish to work contrast trim on your bralette, you will need approximately 119 (135, 152, 168) [273, 298, 324] (465, 504, 526, 550) yards of CC and the remaining yardage in MC. The pattern includes the specific yardage for each cup size.

Gauge

34 sts and 48 rows over 4 inches / 10 cm in stockinette stitch (both flat and in the round).

Needles

US 0 / 2.00mm

Notions

• 4-6 Stitch markers
• Tapestry needle
• 5 yards of 1/4" elastic (optional)
• 1-2" wide elastic for band, length based on underbust measurement
• Waste yarn or stitch holders
• Crochet hook for provisional cast-on

Techniques

• Crocheted provisional cast-on
  
• Working German short rows
• Kitchener stitch
  
• Sewn tubular bind-off
• Sloped bind-off
  

Credits

Tech edit: Heather Storta
Photography: Elizabeth Margaret
Model: Elizabeth Margaret, Jennifer Parroccini, Candace Wynter, Jordynn Beedle, Jenny Smellie
Testers: Jennifer Parroccini, Jordynn Beedle, Jenny Smellie, Jaime Casselbury, Katelin Walling, Ashley Boozer, Rachel Berger, Chris Cushman, Nicole Amass, Jennifer Rackley, Eliz Tomaras, Kelly Ribuffo, Alicia Wood, Noelle Aly, Amanda Lucas, Eileen T., Gillian Frank, Darlene Masters, Katherine Fichter,