The Basic Stitch Bikini
Florida Life = Bikini Life
Knitting Beside Alligator Infested Waters in Central Florida
I am not a bikini model. I've got curves, stretch marks, cellulite, and I'm not traditionally "thin". But I live in a tropical climate with warm weather all year, I'm addicted to the beach and palm trees, and shit, it's just more fun drinking a cocktail when wearing a bikini. So I wear bikinis. A LOT.
And I've never loved the fit of any of them. I've had a few good ones, but there was usually an issue (too tight, too skimpy, too much fabric, too loose etc.). Then it occurred to me sometime last year, GIRL. YOU CAN MAKE YOUR OWN. So that's what I did. I grabbed bikinis I almost loved and I played around with the measurements and details that I liked until I came up with a bikini that fit ME perfectly.
Not a “perfect” body, but LOOK AT THAT BIKINI!!! And the joy on my face at having a bikini that fits perfectly!!! :) :)
But I didn't want it to be a perfect fit for me only. I wanted to see if it could be a perfect fit for all my ladies out there. AND, I wanted it to be accessible to others. So this design is for the newbie crocheters out there. It's for those gals for whom society deems unworthy to wear a swimsuit. It's for ya'll on a budget. It's for anyone who feels maybe their body can't pull off a bikini. YOU CAN.
The Basic Stitch Bikini- suitable for lounging poolside, tree knitting, and telling the Patriarchy to fuck off.
The Basic Stitch Bikini is a beginner friendly, basic crochet bikini pattern. It has a flirty, scalloped shell border to provide extra coverage and the bottoms are low rise with moderate coverage, but rows can be added to the tops of the bikini to provide additional height and coverage. The bottoms fit hip sizes 33" through 57" (but if you fall outside of these measurements, please contact me. I'd be happy to do some math and add your size to the pattern). The bikini cups are custom fit to YOUR breasts and YOU decide how much coverage you want. So whether your breasts are small or large, droopy or different sizes, I've got you covered.......literally.
I mean, check out how lovely all these ladies look!!!!!
The Beautiful and Talented Testing Crew of the Basic Stitch Bikini
I honestly had the best testers, guys. These women were supportive, knowledgeable, HILARIOUS, and I couldn't have done this without them. THANK YOU, LADIES!!!!!!!!!
So. Want to make your own? The pattern is available to purchase on my website and on Ravelry!!!!!!
Got the pattern but you're more of a visual learner? Check out the tutorials I made below on: How to Make Your Custom Fit Bikini Cups and How to Line Your Crochet Bikini.
What do you need to make your bikini?
A bikini body. Any body upon which you can place a bikini.
Some stretchy worsted yarn (see Ravelry for approximate yardages). I'm recommending Yarn Bee Comfy Classic made with nylon, polyester, and viscose. It's cheap as chips (as my friend Molly of PonderandPly would say) and the intended yarn for the pattern. HOWEVER, using this yarn makes your bikini a SUNBATHING SUIT (not for water wear). If you want to make a SWIM SUIT, might I suggest using Alize Diva Stretch. It's tough to find in the USA, but go to Etsy and find Perfect Yarns. My man has great prices and delivers relatively quickly from Turkey. You are going to need to hold THREE (3) strands together to match weight, but it works!!!
A crochet hook to meet gauge, probably size H (5.00 mm).
Scissors, stitch marker, yarn needle.
That's all you need!!!! Well, there is an option to line the bikini, but I get into all that in the lining tutorial below.
Don't forget to tag me on Instagram @rowsandrose and use the hashtags #rowsandrose and #basicstitchbikini.
Go live your best BIKINI LIFE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
