Sexy Little Knits: Chic Designs to Knit and Crochet

I got this book a couple of years ago and I love it. Yes, these are mostly teeny, tiny bikinis. I have made 2 for my daugter, and 1 for my sister in-law. There is no plus-size (I made mine for encouragement!). Make no mistake these patterns are not at all forgiving, but they are so cute and sexy you want to knit/crochet one up and run for the beach! I really enjoyed the authors little bit of family history and photos. Teeny, sexy bikinis from a girl who grew up at the beach.

i was looking for a book that had cool bikinis and cute spring/summer pieces. this book had exactly what i was looking for and more! the book is divided into three parts: swim wear, cute tops 'n bottoms, and a lingerie style section. there are bikinis that are not meant to be worn in the water, but there are also ones that can get wet and be worn to swim in. they also don't sag or gap because you either work an invisible elastic into the edges or you work with yarns that have elastic built right into them, like Cascade's Fixation. Ashley Paige truly designs fun, cute stuff! she is a true California girl and it comes through in her designs. i like that both knitting and crochet are represented in this book, as i enjoy both equally. the book has diagrams with measurements for each and every piece. i did feel the need to chart out entire patterns on my own knitting grid paper, though, in addition to taking some notes of my own before starting any of the projects. i also took some extra time to write out my own row by row directions for certain parts of the patterns because it would have been too difficult to keep track of my decreases and increases and the lace pattern in the one bikini i did so far, "the blue suede bikini". the patterns are written in run together paragraphs, not row by row. a good example would be, "work in lace pattern according to chart one for 24 rows...at the same time decrease 2 stitches on each side every 4th row 9 times and 1 stitch at the beginning and end of every 4th row one time". this is the type of language of this book's patterns. the patterns are just so cute and cool though, i felt it was definitely worth my extra time. this is the one book that i have that i absolutely love 90% of the patterns. i will be making patterns from this book for a long time to come! this is definitely not a book for beginners, though. it is a book for someone who has medium or better skills in knitting and crochet. there is no instructional section at all - just the patterns, diagrams with measurements of the finished pieces, charts, and tons of great photographs of the completed projects. this book brims with sassy, hip patterns for hot knitting 'n crochet chics! i love it! :D

...because it's THAT HOT!!! Not one for shrinking violets (or any other shrinkable flowers) or kids-this is one for the grown-ups. It's all clothes (and I use the term loosely) for women (of all sizes) and men who like to dress up in women's clothing (though it wouldn't look as good) especially in hot weather and those who live in Florida, California or Hawaii. Okay, so it opens with the author's intro with a dash of her history including (and this is a really nice touch btw) a few family/personal snapshots to set the scene for the patterns to come. Then we have three chapters; 'Peace, Love and Bikinis', 'Sunshine Good Vibes' and 'Cozy Homebodies'. You can guess what's in chapter 1 and it's all good (except maybe for the mesh one-piece but that's a matter of taste). Chapter 2 is mostly tops-like the adorable little mermaid strapless, the mesh tank and the fabulous disco top to name a few. The ribbon yarn flared mini is yummy too (though some might say short enough to be a belt), while the terry shorts and jumper could only be carried off by someone like Gwen Stefani. And let's remember the sweater and halter dresses too-very cute. Cozy H has a cozy sleeper-a fuzzy pink teddy (of the lingerie variety not the picnic going variety) which, honestly I'm dubious about making but the bathing beauty robe-wow! Gimme some of that!! And don't get me started on the long mesh nightgown-helloooooo nurse (Animaniacs saying) I cannot WAIT to make this-it covers the bust then the rest is like a fishnet stocking thing going on... Even though I have no real basis for saying this (just got the book last week) I'm gonna say it; this is a book for any skill level (it's a bikini-how hard can it be?) and the garments are wearble for any woman-from sticks like me (adorable stick that I am) to the voluptous hot mamas out there-ladies, it's all about attitude-have you got the beach balls to wear the stuff? In short, this aptly titled book rocks. HOT ROCKS. Don't wait-get it now!!

I got this book a week ago and have already decided to never get a store bought swimsuit again. The patterns are a little skimmpy now and then,but all patterns can be adjusted if you really want to make them.The swimwwear is fun and sexy and not trashy in any way. The robe is also very nice as well and on the to do list. I would recomend this book to anyone looking for new ideas on things to knit and for things that people will never belive that you knitted.

Five stars because the patterns are for fitted, shaped, and structured garments that conform to a woman's curves. If you want to knit attractive lingerie and swimsuits, then you should start with this book! Genuinely sexy designs include tiny but intriguing bikinis, an angora teddy, extraordinarily brief short-shorts, see-through beach coverups and tops, a strapless elasticized tank top, a sparkly halter "disco" top with see-through ladder rib body, and a short and cuddly chenille bathrobe. Several designs, including a rather tame striped sweater dress and a halter sundress sprinkled with eyelet hearts, seem modest enough for ordinary casual wear.