How to Knit Bikinis

You can knit your own bikini for a perfectly fitted swimsuit.

With knitting needles and yarn, you can make practically anything, including a bikini. Choose the right type of yarn and your bikini will keep its shape even after a swim on a hot summer day. Previous knitting and crochet experience is recommended before you attempt this project. Before starting your bikini, knit a gauge square to check the tension. You should end up with a 4-inch square that is 20 stocking stitches wide and 26 rows high.

Things You'll Need

• 1 skein of pure cotton yarn
• 1 pair of 4.5 mm needles
• Crochet hook
• Stitch markers
• Yarn needle
• Clear elastic knitting thread
• Swimsuit lining

Instructions

1. Cast on 29 stitches to start the bra cup. Knit the first row and purl the second row. For the third row, knit one, slip one stitch, knit one, pass the slip stitch over, knit until the last three stitches, knit two together and then knit one. Purl on Row 4, knit on Row 5 and purl on Row 6. Repeat instructions for rows 3 to 6, four more times for a total of 19 stitches. At Row 23, knit one, slip one stitch, knit one, pass the slip stitch over, and then yarn over and knit two together until the last two stitches, then knit two together. Repeat the last two rows six more times. You'll have five stitches left on Row 36. Purl on Row 37. Knit one, slip stitch one, knit two together, then pass the slip stitch over and knit one. Purl three together and slip stitch the last stitch on your crochet hook. Chain three and then male half double crochet down the first side of your bra cup. Chain three at the corner and half double crochet along the bottom, and then repeat for the next side. Do a slip stitch into the second chain of the first set of three, and fasten off. Repeat this whole step to make a second bra cup.

2. Place your bra cup right-side up and do a slip stitch to the bottom chain on the right-hand corner. Chain three, and make a half double crochet in the same space. Do a complete row of half double crochets along the bottom of the cup, chain five, and then do a half double crochet in the bottom right-hand corner of the next bra cup. Keep making half double crochets until the last stitch of the second cup. Make two half double crochets in the third chain at the bottom of the left-hand corner of the second cup, then chain three and turn. Make two half double crochets in the first chain, then one half double crochet per stitch until the last, where you make two half double crochets in the same stitch once more. Chain three and turn. Repeat instructions for Row 2 to make a third row that joins your bra cups, and once at the end of the row, chain stitches until you create a 20-inch strap. Fasten off. Do a slip stitch on the top corner of the other bra cup, and make chain stitches until you have another 20-inch strap.

3. Start the bottom of your bikini by casting on 41 stitches, which will become the front top edge. To start the first row, knit one, slip stitch one, knit one, and then pass the slip stitch over. Yarn over and knit two together until the last two stitches, and then knit two together. Purl the second row and repeat rows 1 and 2 four more times for a total of 31 stitches by Row 10. Using the stocking stitch, decrease one stitch at the end of the needle on every alternating row for the next eight rows. Keep making even rows with the stocking stitch until the crotch is of the desired length. With the right side facing, increase one stitch at the end of the needle on every row for 23 rows. Make even rows in stocking stitches until your bikini bottom is of desired height for the back. Cast knitting needle off, and then make a slip stitch with the crochet hook. Chain three and make half double crochets along the first side edge. Chain three at the corner and make half double crochets along the front edge. Keep going until all sides of your bikini bottom have half double crochets on the edges. Finish off. Go to each corner of your bikini bottom and do a slip stitch, then chain 42 to make the straps.

4. Cut a piece of lining fabric to match the inside of your bikini bottom and bra cups, and sew the lining in place using a slip stitch. Make sure your lining fits inside your bikini and does not show on the edges by allowing for a 3/8-inch allowance.

5. Sew the clear elastic thread through the edges of your bra cups and the edges of your bikini bottom to make it fit better and prevent slipping.

Tips & Warnings

• Add four stitches to all instructions for each size larger than small, or A cup. For instance, add four stitches to all instructions to make a B cup, medium-size bikini; add eight stitches to all instructions to make a C cup, large-size bikini.

• Customize the bikini's size by making the top and bottom match your actual measurements, even if they are not the same size.

References

• Canadian Living; Knitted Bikini; Joanne Yordanou
• Ornaghiflati: Bathing Suit and Top