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# 🌹 *Rouge Tendre* — Lacy Red Lingerie Set
**A Bralette & Tanga Panty in Openwork Lace**

A romantic boudoir set worked in fine cotton-silk worsted. The bralette features triangular short-rowed cups joined to a deep lace under-band with satin ribbon ties; the matching tanga is worked seamlessly in the round with a delicate picot edging. Designed for layering, lounging, and lingering.

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## ✦ Skill Level
**Advanced** — requires comfort with chart reading, lace knitting, short rows (German or wrap & turn), and seamless construction.

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## ✦ Sizes
Bust (underbust) circumference, with ~3–4" negative ease for snug fit:

| Size | XS | **S (sample)** | M | L | XL |
|------|----|----|---|---|----|
| Underbust | 26" | **30"** | 34" | 38" | 42" |
| Hip (panty) | 32" | **36"** | 40" | 44" | 48" |
| Band sts | 110 | **130** | 150 | 170 | 190 |
| Cup sts (each) | 26 | **30** | 34 | 38 | 42 |
| Panty sts | 160 | **180** | 200 | 220 | 240 |

*Instructions written for size **S**; other sizes in parentheses (XS, **S**, M, L, XL). All stitch counts are multiples of 10 to accommodate the lace repeat.*

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## ✦ Materials

- **Yarn:** Fine worsted-weight mercerized cotton or cotton/silk blend in deep red (e.g., crimson, ruby, or scarlet).
  - Bralette: ~250 (250, 300, 350, 400) yards
  - Panty: ~300 (350, 400, 450, 500) yards
  - **Total:** ~550 (600, 700, 800, 900) yards
- **Needles:** US 4 / 3.5 mm — 24" circular and DPNs (or preferred small-circumference method)
  - US 3 / 3.25 mm circular for ribbon casings
- **Notions:**
  - 2 yards (2 m) of ½"-wide red satin ribbon
  - ⅜" (1 cm) wide soft braided elastic — 1.5 yards (1.4 m)
  - Tapestry needle, stitch markers (8), scrap yarn for provisional cast-on, blocking pins

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## ✦ Gauge
**20 sts × 28 rows = 4" (10 cm) in Shell Lace pattern, blocked.**
**22 sts × 30 rows = 4" in stockinette, blocked.**

*Gauge is critical for fit. Block your swatch under tension before measuring.*

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## ✦ Abbreviations

| | |
|---|---|
| k | knit |
| p | purl |
| yo | yarn over |
| k2tog | knit 2 together (right-leaning dec) |
| ssk | slip, slip, knit (left-leaning dec) |
| sk2p | slip 1, k2tog, pass slipped st over (double dec) |
| sl | slip purlwise wyib |
| pm / sm | place / slip marker |
| BOR | beginning of round |
| w&t | wrap and turn |
| RS / WS | right side / wrong side |
| rep | repeat |
| St st | stockinette stitch |

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## ✦ Stitch Pattern: Shell Lace (multiple of 10 sts)

**Worked flat (bralette band) over a multiple of 10 sts + 1 selvedge each side:**

- **Row 1 (RS):** *k1, yo, k3, sk2p, k3, yo*; rep from * to last st, k1.
- **Row 2 (WS):** purl.
- **Row 3 (RS):** *k2, yo, k2, sk2p, k2, yo, k1*; rep from *.
- **Row 4 (WS):** purl.
- **Row 5 (RS):** *k3, yo, k1, sk2p, k1, yo, k2*; rep from *.
- **Row 6 (WS):** purl.
- **Row 7 (RS):** *k4, yo, sk2p, yo, k3*; rep from *.
- **Row 8 (WS):** purl.

*Each RS row: 3 sts decreased + 2 yos = net 1 st decreased per repeat… wait — verify: sk2p removes 2 sts, yo×2 adds 2 sts → **net 0**. ✓ Stitch count is maintained on every row.*

**Worked in the round (panty):** work all rounds as Rows 1, 3, 5, 7 (omit purl rows; knit even rounds).

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## ✦ Pattern Notes

- The bralette is worked **flat** in three pieces: two triangular cups (short-rowed for shaping) and a long lace under-band, then seamed.
- The panty is worked **in the round** from the waist down, with a separate gusset grafted in via Kitchener stitch.
- Slip the first st of every WS row purlwise wyif on the band for a clean edge.
- A provisional cast-on is used at the cup base for later pickup along the underband.
- Use **German short rows** for invisible cup shaping (or W&T as preferred).

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# 🌷 PART ONE — *Le Soutien-Gorge* (Bralette)

## A. Cups (make 2)

Cups are knit point-up from a provisional cast-on, with short-row shaping creating a soft triangular bust shape.

With waste yarn and provisional cast-on, CO **30 (26, 30, 34, 38, 42) sts** onto US 4 needles. Join project yarn.

**Set-up Row (WS):** purl all sts.

### Cup Lace Body
Work **Rows 1–8 of Shell Lace** twice (16 rows total). *Stitch count remains 30.* ✓

### Short-Row Bust Shaping
This creates a subtle cone for the bust apex.

- **SR Row 1 (RS):** k20, w&t (or German SR turn).
- **SR Row 2 (WS):** p10, w&t.
- **SR Row 3 (RS):** k to 2 sts before previous turn, w&t. *(k18, w&t)*
- **SR Row 4 (WS):** p to 2 sts before previous turn, w&t. *(p8, w&t)*
- **SR Row 5 (RS):** k16, w&t.
- **SR Row 6 (WS):** p6, w&t.
- **SR Row 7 (RS):** knit across all sts, resolving wraps.
- **SR Row 8 (WS):** purl across all sts, resolving remaining wraps.

### Decreases to Form Triangle Top
**Dec Row (RS):** k1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. *(2 sts dec)*
**Next Row (WS):** purl.

Repeat these 2 rows until **6 sts** remain. *Rows worked: (30−6)/2 = 12 dec rows × 2 = 24 rows.*

**Strap I-cord:** Transfer 6 sts to DPN. Work 3-stitch I-cord straps as follows:
- Row 1 (RS): k1, k2tog, k3 → 5 sts (no — recount): *adjust:* k2tog twice across center → from 6 sts, work k1, k2tog, k2tog, k1 = 4 sts. On next row, k1, k2tog, k1 = 3 sts.

Work I-cord on remaining **3 sts** for **10" (or to desired strap length)**. Bind off; leave 6" tail.

**Make a second cup identically.**

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## B. Under-Band

The band is worked flat as a long rectangle in Shell Lace, with a ribbon casing along the top edge.

CO **131 sts** (110+1, **130+1**, 150+1, 170+1, 190+1) — i.e., a multiple of 10 plus 1 edge st.

*Math check: for size S, 131 sts ÷ 20 spi × 4 = 26.2" band length, providing ~4" negative ease against 30" underbust. ✓*

**Setup Rows:**
- Row 1 (RS): knit.
- Row 2 (WS): purl.

**Lace Body:** Work **Rows 1–8 of Shell Lace** a total of **5 times** (40 rows ≈ 5.7" deep).

**Eyelet Casing Row (RS):** k1, *yo, k2tog*; rep to end. *(131 sts maintained — yo+k2tog is net 0)* ✓
**Next Row (WS):** purl.

Work **4 rows St st**, then bind off loosely knitwise.

**Fold** the top edge along the eyelet row to the WS and whip-stitch down to form a casing for elastic.

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## C. Bralette Assembly

1. **Unzip provisional CO** at base of each cup; place 30 (26, 30, 34, 38, 42) live sts on hold.
2. With RS facing, lay band flat. Center the two cups along the top edge with a **1.5" gap** between them (center front V).
3. Using mattress stitch or three-needle bind-off (with band picked up beneath), join cup base sts to the top edge of the band.
4. Thread elastic through the casing; try on, adjust to snug fit, secure ends.
5. **Back ties:** Cut two 18" lengths of satin ribbon. Sew one to each back corner of the band as closures (tie behind back). Alternatively, attach hook-and-eye closures.
6. Adjust I-cord strap length and sew strap ends to back band corners.

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# 🌷 PART TWO — *La Tanga* (Panty)

Worked seamlessly in the round from waist to gusset, with a grafted gusset.

## A. Waistband

With US 3 / 3.25 mm 24" circular, CO **180 (160, **180**, 200, 220, 240) sts**. Pm and join in the round, being careful not to twist.

**Picot Hem:**
- Rnds 1–4: knit.
- **Picot Rnd:** *yo, k2tog*; rep around.
- Rnds 6–9: knit.

Fold hem to WS along picot rnd; on next rnd, knit each live st together with corresponding st from CO edge to form a hemmed casing. *(180 sts)* ✓

**Eyelet Rnd:** *yo, k2tog*; rep around. *(for ribbon drawstring; 180 sts)*
Knit 2 rnds.

## B. Lace Body

Switch to US 4 / 3.5 mm. Work **Rounds 1, 3, 5, 7 of Shell Lace** (knitting all even rnds plain) for a total of **40 rnds** (10 full repeats ≈ 5.7"). *Stitch count remains 180.* ✓

## C. Divide for Gusset

Try on if possible to confirm length to crotch.

**Setup Rnd:** k45 (front-right), pm A; k45 (front-left – these 90 sts will form front), pm B; k45 (back-right), pm C; k45 (back-left).

For a tanga (thong-style) shape:
1. Place center back **30 sts** on hold for back panel.
2. Place center front **30 sts** on hold for gusset front.
3. Bind off the remaining **120 sts** (60 each side) loosely for leg openings — *or* work each leg-edge section with a 4-row applied I-cord bind-off for a polished trim.

## D. Gusset

From 30 held front sts, work flat in St st:
- Row 1 (RS): k1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. *(28 sts)*
- Row 2 (WS): purl.
- Repeat dec every RS row until **12 sts** remain. *(30−12)/2 = 9 dec rows; 18 rows total ≈ 2.5".*
- Work even in St st for **3" (7.5 cm)**.
- Place sts on holder.

**Back panel:** From 30 held back sts, work flat:
- Decrease as above to **12 sts**, then work even for **2" (5 cm)**, ending with WS row.

**Graft** the 12 gusset sts to the 12 back sts using **Kitchener stitch**.

## E. Leg Edging

With US 3 needle, RS facing, pick up and knit approximately **80 sts** evenly around each leg opening (or use applied I-cord). Work picot bind-off:

*BO 2 sts; sl remaining st back to LH needle; CO 2 sts using cable cast-on; rep from * around.

## F. Drawstring

Cut 30" length of satin ribbon. Thread through waistband eyelet rnd, beginning and ending at center front. Knot ends; trim and seal with clear nail polish or a tiny dab of fray check.

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## ✦ Finishing

1. Weave in all ends on WS using duplicate stitch through lace yos for security.
2. **Wet block** both pieces:
   - Soak 20 minutes in cool water with wool wash.
   - Press out water; pin to measurements on blocking mats.
   - Stretch lace gently to open the eyelet pattern.
   - Dry flat away from direct sun (red dyes can fade).
3. Tie satin ribbons into delicate bows at center back of bralette and center front of panty.

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## ✦ Care

Hand wash only in cool water with mild soap. Lay flat to dry. Do not bleach. Store folded with tissue paper to protect lace.

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### 🌹 *"Lingerie should whisper, not shout — let the lace do the talking."*

Enjoy your handmade *Rouge Tendre* set!