Work on the crocheted bra is coming along slowly but not bad. I decided to learn more about bra construction and make the basic bra. After I have done this, then I can make the triangle lace that goes over the bra.

Various crochet bra patterns were presented in the CAL, most of them patterns for bikini tops. Most popular were the ones made by crocheting a triangle for bra cups. Another one was made by crocheting an L shape and then sewing the short seams together to make the cups. Thanks to Lori for finding the great pattern from Kusine.com!

Bra cups are sewn together at the centre, then 3 rows of upper trim is crocheted, and finally, a sc row all around the cups.

Having completed the cups, I started to construct my own bra band and straps based on reading various bra sewing tutorials. The best one I found was Lenna’s Sewing. Another excellent resource is The Pattern School, thanks to Madauri.

Detail of the join and trim of the bra cups.

It is worth the trouble looking at sewing patterns even if one was going to make something in crochet. The illustration of bra parts in Kusine.com (with and without underwires) was very useful. I decided to make a midriff for my bra even if it isn’t an underwire bra, and the parts labelled as “bones” in the Kusine.com illustration became reinforcement sections in the crocheted midriff.

I made the midriff in hdc (htr in UK terminology) in back loops and the “bones” in sc (dc in UK) in both loops.

Midriff is crocheted separately and then sewn to the base of the bra cups.

The midriff is as long as the base of the bra cups, and I crocheted it with a slight increase in the middle section to go in the space between the two cups (the bra’s centre triangle). Then I sewed the midriff by hand to the cups.

The right side band is crocheted to the cup and decreased to make up the band that goes around the ribcage.

Next was the band. I decided to make a band that goes all around the back from the right side and attaches to the left side band with hook and eye. I got his idea from Ruth Seddon’s Crochet Bra which hooks to one side of the bra just under the armpit. This makes for a bra that is easier (at least for me) to put on and take off.

The band goes all around the back, then under the left armpit and joins to the left side band with hook and eyes.

So, the hook and eyes are sewn onto the end of the long band and onto the left side band under the arm pit. My only worry was the hook and eyes – that it might catch onto the stitches. Also, although I got good quality hook and eyes (supposed to be Japanese made nickel plated), I am a bit wary about then rusting …

Detail of the hook and eyes.

The straps are Y shaped at the back. I decided to use this style because this would mean a better fit without elastics and could prevent the shoulder straps from falling off (a very common problem in my case).

Crocheting the Y-strap onto the band at the back.

First I find the centre of the band at the back and from there establish the base of the Y strap. The base is some 10 sc stitches of 3 rows which then splits into two 5-sc straps. The end of the straps are then finished off with long tails to sew onto the top corners of the cups.

The finished basic bra crocheted in cotton-cashmere.

I’m very happy with the outcome of this basic bra. Using cotton-cashmere (90% cotton and 10% cashmere) was also a good choice because the bra is strong and cool (thanks to cotton), and has just the right amount of softness of cashmere.

Flower motif from an Irish bebe lace insertion.

Upon this basic bra I hope to be able to crochet a sheer lace layer. I started with a flower motif using two strands of silk-camel lace yarn.

Bebe lace insertion from Priscilla Irish Crochet Book No 1 by Lula Harvey.

Hopefully, I would be able to crochet in Irish Bébé lace for this bra. My reference for Irish Bébé lace is Lula Harvey’s Priscilla Irish Crochet Book No 1, A Collection of New and Original Designs, With Stitches and Lessons for Working from the Antique Pattern Library.

There’s still time to join the Crochet Along! The CAL will be for the whole month of March. Join us at Ravelry.