Rock Your Bodysuit 8 sizes (see details below)
This is an intermediate level pattern! If you want to create the perfect fit for your body, it does require some math calculations on your part (instructions provided!)
Sizes: 30(32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44)”/76(81, 86, 91, 97, 102, 107, 112) cm bust sizes. Designer’s note: Feel free to mix and match bust/hip/waist instructions for a more tailored fit to your body!
Gauge: 20 stitches and 28 rows per 4” (10 cm) in 1x1 ribbing with fingering weight held double (st gauge is taken when stretched, row gauge is taken when relaxed). Designer’s notes:
1) I personally prefer my garment to stretch easily to 5 sts to the inch. If you’d prefer an even more form fitting garment, feel free to go down in needle size. Keep in mind, the way your swatch stretches, is how it will stretch to fit on your body. Therefore, the tighter the rib the more form fitting the bodysuit will be.
2) This pattern is tailored to the row gauge listed above. Therefore, it is vital that your gauge matches (or you’ll have to adjust the row gauge). I suggest doing a gauge swatch beforehand and adjusting your needles to get the correct gauge!
Needles: (2) 40” & (2) 24” circular needles in size needed to achieve gauge listed above (suggested size: Main needle: (2) 40”/US 8/5mm needles. Plus (1) 24” size US 8/5mm and (1) 24” size US 7/4.5 mm.
Materials used: Hedgehog Fibres Skinny Singles held double (fingering; 100% merino wool; 400 yds/100 g, or any other yarn that knits up to desired gauge).
Yardage: 1819(1876, 2000, 2118, 2292, 2611, 2625, 2634) total yards fingering weight yarn held double.
Other notions: Snaps/buttons (I bought mine at Hobby Lobby), stitch markers, crochet hook/tapestry needle, scrap yarn/stitch holder and scissors.
The Fit:
1) Waist: the waist section on the bodysuit is meant to be as close to your actual waist circumference as possible! For example, my waist is 28”/71 cm and I wear the size M (which has a waist circumference of 28”/71cm).
2) Shoulders/Bust: this design is built with 6”/15 cm of positive ease in the shoulder section to add a drop shoulder style. For example, my bust is 34”/86 cm and I wear the size M (which has an upper body circumference of 40”/102 cm).
3) Hips: the hip section on the bodysuit is meant to fit as close to your high hip measurements as possible (or wherever you’d like your lower body portion to begin). For example, I have a high hip circumference of 32.5”/83 cm and I wear the size M (which has a high hip circumference of 32.5”/83 cm).
4) Sleeves: the sleeves are designed with 7”/18 cm of positive ease in the upper arm portion. For example, I have an upper arm circumference of 11”/28 cm and I wear the M (which has a sleeve circumference of 18”/46 cm.
Construction
1) The bodysuit begins with a provisional CO at the waist. It is then worked both in the rnd and flat in 1x1 ribbing (throughout the entire garment), increasing to create the drop shoulder/upper portion of the body. Shoulders are then joined together using the 3-Needle BO Method (See page 4 for more details on the 3-Needle BO).
2) Neck sts are then worked in the rnd in 1x1 ribbing for 2”/5cm and BO loosely.
3) After joining the shoulders, sts along the provisional CO are picked up and worked in the opposite direction, increasing width for the hips.
4) Once hip width and length has been reached, the bodysuit is split to work the front and back lower portions of the bodysuit using the German Short Row Method to create the V-shaping (See page 4 for more details on the German Short Row).
5) Sleeves are then picked up and worked in the rnd until desired length has been reached.