I made this not exactly sure what I would use it for since I don’t do a lot of working class costuming, but I had wanted to make this ever since I ran across the pattern in Reconstruction Era Fashions last year. It was rather experimental anyway because there are no measurements given in the pattern and it needs to be snug enough to give some support without being too tight to button.

I chose a gauge assuming it should be about the same length as my mid-19th century corset (13”). Size 00 needles and #10 cotton came closest when gauging, but somehow the gauge ended up completely off. Size 0 needles gave a good gauge when I knit up the first several rows, but the fabric was too loose so I changed to #3 cotton. That worked reasonably well.

At the end I had something that seemed reasonable in breadth, but the straps ended up quite short. While a small armhole is quite right for the period, it meant the whole thing rides quite high with the waist around the rib cage and the hip flapping about. While it seemed quite fitted under the bust and mildly supportive when I put it on, the knitting stretched over the course of a couple hours, and it really didn’t end up being very supportive at all.

When choosing gauge, I would assume that it should be rather longer - say 16” or a little more at center front. Then it would ride a little lower because the straps would be longer, but it would also be larger so it would have to be adjusted for.

Not a success, but interesting nonetheless.