Christine's Corset [Pattern]

Inspiration for Christine came from two things: the picot-edging in Ysolda Teague's Lace-Up Opera Gloves and my personal obsession with Phantom of the Opera and clothing from the Victorian Era. I had wanted a corset for a long time, but I didn't want to pay the hundreds of dollars a custom-sewn corset might cost. I thought- why not knit one?

 

It is very easy to adjust the waist circumference of the corset by adding or subtracting rows from the garter stitch back. The garter stitch, when sideways, acts as a ribbing/boning for the corset.

 

Note: This is designed as an underbust corset; therefore, there is no bust shaping. However, if you want to wear it as an overbust corset, the garter stitch back and lacing should make it adjustable enough to fit any way you like! :)

 

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Materials:

 

-1 skein Caron Simply Soft Eco (249yd/288m per 5 oz. skein)

 

-Size US 8 straight needles

 

-2 removable stitch markers (or safety pins)

 

-Sturdy 7/8 in ribbon, approx. 6 yards

 

Pattern:

 

*Front Panels*

 

[Front half A]

 

CO 41 sts.

 

1. K 2 rows in stockinette st.

 

2. Next row: K2, *yo, k2tog, rep from *

 

3. Sl 1, p to end.

 

4. Knit across row, picking up CO sts and knitting them together with

each live stitch. This creates the picot edging.

 

5. Sl 1, p to end.

 

6. Next row: [For front half A] *K2, k2tog, you, repeat from * to last 5 sts, k5. On last st, pm. This marks the BOTTOM of the corset, where the laces will tie in a bow.

 

7. Sl 1, p to end.

 

Slipping the first st of every row, continue in stockinette stitch until piece measures 4 in. End with the wrong (purl) side facing you. DO NOT BIND OFF!!! Place live sts from front half A on a spare size 8 needle, or waste yarn.

 

[Front half B]

 

Steps 1-5, knit as for front half A. For front half B:

 

6. Knit this row in reverse from what you knit for front half A: K5, *you, k2tog, k2, repeat from * This will make the markers both on the bottom when the corset is assembled.

 

Continue as for front half A until piece measures 4 in. Ending with the wrong side, keep stitches on needles and continue on to back (garter stitch).

 

*Back*

 

Continuing from front half B:

 

Knit even in garter stitch for 14 inches (or however wide you want your corset to be, minus 8 inches. Make it smaller than you think it should be, as the laces make it very adjustable, as does the garter stitch, and it’s meant to fit snugly!).

 

[Attaching front half A]

 

Using the Kitchener stitch, attach front half A, invisibly, to the corset body. Make sure that the stitch markers on the front panels are both on the BOTTOM.

 

*Finishing*

Weave in all ends. Using ribbon, lace up the corset so that the ribbon ties in a bow at the bottom.

 

Tada!! You now have your very own custom-made corset! Now go out and flaunt your Victorian fashion! :-) :-) :-)

Done