My Projects: Mid-Week WIP's

I don't have as much time as I would like to work on my sewing and knitting projects. Mostly weekends and even those can be limited. So here is a mid-week look at my WIP's.

Queen of Hearts Bikini: I am knitting a bikini for a friend! This pattern is from the first Stitch N Bitch book. I bought that book when I decided to learn how to knit. My friend shrieked with delight when she saw the photo for this pattern and wanted me to make one for her. Well, I finally am! This is my first color work project and I have already completed one heart! The yarn is Cascade Yarns Fixation Solids which is a cotton lycra blend. Perfect for a skimpy bikini. My friend just moved to LA, so this will be perfect for her! 

Tweed Fog: This is one of a pair of fingerless gloves with a glorious cable pattern going down the front. These have been a great exercise for me. Not only am I practicing my cables but I also learned how to knit with the magic loop circular method. It's great, especially since I hate working with double pointed needles.  The yarn is Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Tweed in Wellies Heather that I had leftover in my stash. I'm really loving these gloves and I can't wait to show you the finished product!

On My Wishlist: Chantal Thomass

How cute is this striped bikini from Chantal Thomass? And the shot is just adorable!

But what I really want are the Chantal Thomass iphone covers! And I don't even have an iphone! Brilliant!

images via Faire Frou Frou.

Fashionable History: Swim Wear By Decade-1970's

In the 1970's, swim wear is all about being sexy. Sheer suits are introduced as well as the thong. String bikinis also become very popular. The best photos I could find to showcase this come from Sports Illustrated. The SI Vault has a great selection of some of their best shots and models. Here's a few:

Cheryl Tiegs in a sheer suit.

Monique Moura de Carvalho in a string bikini. This is a beautiful photo.

Christie Brinkley in a sweet and sexy one piece.

Christie Brinkley in a thong bikini.

Fashionable History: Swim Wear By Decade- 1960's

In the 1960's surfing, surf music, and beach party movies are all the rage. The main focus drops down from the decolletage and bust line of the 50's to the midriff exposing the belly button. Bikinis become popular and mainstream. They range from the sweet "Gidget" like to the super sexy and barely there. With the more popular use of Lycra, zippers are no longer needed. Suits are fitting closer to the body and become smaller. The monokini is also introduced.

Bikinis are so mainstream now, teens are wearing them.

Sweet vs. sexy.

The iconic Bond Bikini. Ursula Andress in Dr. No, (1962).


Bold and Bare! LIFE Magazine, 1967, shows the monokini. The "peek a boo" nature of the very low cut back of the one on the right did not make it onto the cover. Yes, it exposes bum cleavage!

The original topless monokini designed by Rudi Gernreich.

Fashionable History: Swim Wear By Decade- 1940's

With fabric shortages during wartime in the 1940's, the US Government issued the L-85 order which makes smaller swimsuits patriotic. Cutouts in the midriff and bikinis become very glamorous and by the end of the decade appear on every beach. Hollywood gets in on the act by ensuring that their pin-ups, Lana Turner, Rita Hayworth, and Betty Grable to name a few, expose their bellies. With two pieces, more options and combinations are available. The basic top styles introduced are the halter, the shelf bra, and the bandeau. For the bottoms which are always high waisted and cover the belly button and low on the hips, the choices are; the skirted panty, shorts, the sheath, and the sarong. These style lines can also be seen in the one pieces as well. The girls above showcase many of these styles.
A one piece with halter top and shorts. I love her sunglasses.

The skirted bottom.

A ruffled skirted panty and halter top. This photo is from the Met Museum archive. Truly lovely.

The classic 1940's look. Shelf bra halter and the sheath bottom.

Polka dots! Rolled hair!

This summer my Fashionable History segments are about swim wear by decade. Next week is the 1950's!