The Hibiscus Bralette is inspired by the delicate petals and colour contrasts of the gorgeous and usefulHibiscus rosa-sinensis plant. Wearing it, you can let yourself unfurl as gloriously and unapologetically as the magnificent hibiscus plant which is grown not only for its ornamentation but for culinary, medicinal, and practical uses. Its pleated peplum is inspired by Hibiscus’ generous petals and the contrasting I-cord evokes the stamen, veins and petal edges in all their breathtaking variety. One characteristic of this beautiful plant is that new cultivars vary wildly in colour and size from their ‘parent plant’ and we hope that you let your imagination run wild with this easily customizable pattern!

The Hibiscus Bralette is knit in 2x2 rib from the top down in fingering weight yarn. It features a contrasting I-cord and a sheer peplum that can be knit as cropped or as long as the knitter wishes - or omitted altogether. Each front and back triangle of the bralette is knit separately and then joined to work in the round allowing easy customization of fit. The underbust is knit in a firm 1x1 rib for support and the sheer peplum is knit with a larger needle at a loose and airy gauge. The mohair can be easily substituted with any lace-weight yarn.

Sizes

1 (2, 3, 4, 5) 6, 7, 8, 9,10
Finished bust circumference: 46 (54, 62, 70, 78) 86, 94, 102, 110, 118 cm / 18.25 (21.25, 24.5, 27.5, 30.75) 33.75, 37, 40.25, 43.25, 46.5” - recommended to be worn with 31-33 cm / 12-13” of negative ease at the full bust.

Note on choosing a size: 2x2 rib is extremely stretchy, and you want a snug but comfortable fit. It is also a good idea to check your underbust measurement since it is not commonly used and will ensure the bralette conforms to your body.

Yarn

Knitting for Olive Merino (100% non-mulesed Merino wool, Oeko-Tex Standard 100; 250 metres / 273 yards per 50 g)

MC: 175 (200, 230, 265, 305) 355, 410, 470, 540, 615) metres / 191 (219, 252, 290, 334) 388, 449, 514, 591, 673 yards

CC: 20 (25, 30, 30, 35, 40) 45, 50, 55, 60, 65 metres / 20 (25, 30, 35, 40) 45, 50, 55, 60, 65 yards

Knitting for Olive Soft Silk Mohair (70% mohair, 30% silk, REACH Standard; 225 metres / 246 yards per 25g)

160 (170, 180, 195, 210) 225, 250, 270, 290, 315 metres / 175 (185, 200, 210, 230) 250, 270, 295, 320, 345 yards

Sample shown is knit in colourways Flamingo (MC) and Quince (CC) in Merino and Flamingo in Soft Silk Mohair for peplum.

Carmen wears a size 3 with 33 cm / 13” of negative ease.

Needles

5.5mm / US 9 circular needle with a cable length of at least 80 cm / 32” (or needle size to obtain gauge, used for peplum)
3 mm / US 2.5 circular needle with a cable length of at least 80 cm / 32” (or needle size to obtain gauge, main needle used for 2x2 ribbing)
2.5 mm / US 1.5 circular needle with a cable length of at least 80 cm / 32” (or needle one size smaller than main needle, used for 1x1 ribbing)
2.5mm / US 1.5 double-pointed needles (2) for I-cord trim

Gauge

Bralette gauges:
28 sts x 40 rows sts = 10 x 10 cm / 4 x 4” (worked flat, in stockinette, on main needle, after blocking)
30 sts x 42 rows = 10 x 10 cm / 4 x 4” (worked flat, in 2x2 ribbing on main needle, unstretched after blocking)
45 sts x 46 rows = 10 x 10 cm / 4 x 4” (in the round, in
1x1 ribbing on smaller needle, unstretched after blocking)

Peplum gauge:
16 st x 22 rows = 10 x 10 cm / 4 x 4” (in the round, in stockinette, on largest needle, unstretched after blocking)

Notions

• Blocking tools (blocking mats, t-pins, blocking wires)
• Darning needle
• Removable/locking stitch markers
• Stitch markers
• Stitch holders or scrap yarn
• Tape measure

Finished Measurements

• Crossback width: 18 (26, 28.75, 31.25, 34) 42, 44.75, 47.25, 50, 52.75 cm / 7 (10.25, 11.25, 12.25, 13.5) 16.5, 17.5, 18.5, 19.75, 20.75)”
• Full bust circumference: 46 (54, 62, 70, 78) 86, 94, 102, 110, 118 cm / 18 (21.25, 24.5, 27.5, 30.75) 33.75, 37, 40.25, 43.25, 46.5”
• Underbust circumference: 30.75 (36, 41.25, 46.75, 52) 57.25, 62.75, 68, 73.25, 78.75 cm / 12 (14.25, 16.25, 18.5, 20.5) 22.5, 24.75, 26.75, 28.75, 31”
• Armhole depth: 18.5 (19, 19.75, 20.25, 21) 21.75, 22.25, 22.75, 23.5, 24.25 cm / 7.25 (7.5, 7.75, 8, 8.25) 8.5, 8.75, 9, 9.25, 9.5)”
• Peplum length: 16 (16, 17, 17, 18) 18, 19, 19, 20, 20 cm / 6.25 (6.25, 6.75, 6.75, 7) 7, 7.5, 7.5, 8, 8”
• Side length from underarm: 13.25 (14, 15.25, 16.25, 18) 19, 21, 22.5, 24.5, 26 cm / 5.25 (5.5, 6, 6.5, 7) 7.5, 8.25, 9, 9.75, 10.25”

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Hibiscus is one of the 12 wearable, layerable, joyful patterns featured in Issue 9 - In Bloom - of Making Stories Magazine.

Issue 9 is available through our webshop in print and digital as well as in a subscription, through our Ravelry store as a digital version and our stockists.

About Making Stories Magazine

With Making Stories Magazine, we strive to feature companies and makers who focus on sustainability, transparency, fairness and equity in their work. We love telling their stories and hope to inspire and enable crafters to make conscious and informed decisions about the materials they use and the companies they support.