White Lies Designs Knitting Patterns

Designer Joan McGowan-Michael creates truly unique and highly flattering romantic knitwear with special consideration for a wide range of sizes from petite to plus.

Click on any image or link below to view pattern details

Vintage Knitting for Modern Bodies

This is a reprint of an article that appeared in the Spring 2003 issue of Cast On magazine.

Using vintage patterns to knit authentic retro styles can be fun. This article discusses everything you need to know about sizing, style, and gauge tweaking to get a good modern fit.

Angelina Vintage Jacket

Ms. McGowan-Michael’s second offering in her The Vintage Collection, this curvy style was inspired by a 1940's bed jacket. Her updated version has romantic lace edging and a 2x2 ribbed body.

Arial

Arial is a vintage design from the 1940's, re-gauged, sized and styled for modern sweater girls.
Finished bust sizes 36" to 64"

Bella Pullover or Cardigan

This lacy pullover was inspired by Italy, its beautiful weather and curvaceous women.

Cable & Shell Jacket

This jacket has two options: tunic length with collar or hip length with simple neck line.

Colette Cardigan Pattern

An elegant, Victorian-inspired cardigan that fits bust sizes 30 inches to 53 inches.

Julianne Two-Piece Dress

Worn together or as separates, Julianne makes the most of your womanly form. The scoop neck, button front top features pretty, fan lace trim on the sleeves and hem and sexy knit-in dart shaping.

Krista Cap Sleeve Tee Pattern

Add lacy charm to your summer wardrobe with this dressy little tee. Finished bust sizes 33 inches to 56 inches.

Heather

This vintage-inspired design makes the most of feminine assets!
Finished bust sizes 34" to 50"

Heirloom Lace Jacket

A gorgeous heirloom quality lace jacket that is worth the investment of time. Hem and sleeves flare to reveal embossed leaves hidden in the godets. The leaves are echoed on the shawl collar. Finished bust sizes 34" to 58"

Josephine

This vintage update was inspired by a sweater in a Fleisher's knitting manual, c.1918.
Finished bust sizes 34" to 58"

Leticia Cardigan

Turn up the heat in your wardrobe with this spicy style! The tailored bodice and shoulder lets loose below with a pretty open lace and the super-scooped neckline frames a bodacious bosom. Muy Caliente!

Marta

Easy to knit lace for the beginning lace knitter. A diamond shaped eyelet peek-a-boo motif accents.
Finished bust sizes 36" to 60"

Milinda Pullover

This lacy little pullover is as pretty as a blouse, but still cozy and easy to wear.
Finished bust sizes 34" to 50"

Sarah's Shawl-Collared Cardigan

This vintage-inspired jacket is loaded with 50's-style charm, from the shapely silhouette to the deep shawl collar and 3/4 length sleeves. A strand each of wool and mohair give the body a kittenish, sexy softness. The wool-only ribbing and collar provide sharpened definition to the curvy edges and the front closes with a single button or a nice shawl pin.

Swing Jacket

A glorious outfit that hides a multitude of sins! This fit-and-flare swing jacket nips gently at the midriff then flares elegantly and skims over hips, tummy, and thighs. The V neck shows off a luscious bosom and the deep collar a beautiful face. Finished bust sizes 42" to 58".

Tied-Up Tee

Part of Ms. McGowan-Michael's Shapely Options Series. Finished bust sizes 36 inches to 58 inches.

Valentine

Part of Ms. McGowan-Michael's Shapely Options series, Valentine features the great-fitting Shapely Body shell with a lacy cowl neck and fabulous matching lace stole.
Finished bust sizes 36" to 58"

Vintage Knitting for Modern Bodies This is a reprint of an article that appeared in the Spring 2003 issue of Cast On magazine. Using vintage patterns to knit authentic retro styles can be fun. This article discusses everything you need to know about sizing, style, and gauge tweaking to get a good modern fit.
Angelina Vintage Jacket Ms. McGowan-Michael’s second offering in her The Vintage Collection, this curvy style was inspired by a 1940's bed jacket. Her updated version has romantic lace edging and a 2x2 ribbed body.
Arial Arial is a vintage design from the 1940's, re-gauged, sized and styled for modern sweater girls. Finished bust sizes 36" to 64"
Bella Pullover or Cardigan This lacy pullover was inspired by Italy, its beautiful weather and curvaceous women.
Cable & Shell Jacket This jacket has two options: tunic length with collar or hip length with simple neck line.
Colette Cardigan Pattern An elegant, Victorian-inspired cardigan that fits bust sizes 30 inches to 53 inches.
Julianne Two-Piece Dress Worn together or as separates, Julianne makes the most of your womanly form. The scoop neck, button front top features pretty, fan lace trim on the sleeves and hem and sexy knit-in dart shaping.
Krista Cap Sleeve Tee Pattern Add lacy charm to your summer wardrobe with this dressy little tee. Finished bust sizes 33 inches to 56 inches.
Heather This vintage-inspired design makes the most of feminine assets! Finished bust sizes 34" to 50"
Heirloom Lace Jacket A gorgeous heirloom quality lace jacket that is worth the investment of time. Hem and sleeves flare to reveal embossed leaves hidden in the godets. The leaves are echoed on the shawl collar. Finished bust sizes 34" to 58"
Josephine This vintage update was inspired by a sweater in a Fleisher's knitting manual, c.1918. Finished bust sizes 34" to 58"
Leticia Cardigan Turn up the heat in your wardrobe with this spicy style! The tailored bodice and shoulder lets loose below with a pretty open lace and the super-scooped neckline frames a bodacious bosom. Muy Caliente!
Marta Easy to knit lace for the beginning lace knitter. A diamond shaped eyelet peek-a-boo motif accents. Finished bust sizes 36" to 60"
Milinda Pullover This lacy little pullover is as pretty as a blouse, but still cozy and easy to wear. Finished bust sizes 34" to 50"
Sarah's Shawl-Collared Cardigan This vintage-inspired jacket is loaded with 50's-style charm, from the shapely silhouette to the deep shawl collar and 3/4 length sleeves. A strand each of wool and mohair give the body a kittenish, sexy softness. The wool-only ribbing and collar provide sharpened definition to the curvy edges and the front closes with a single button or a nice shawl pin.
Swing Jacket A glorious outfit that hides a multitude of sins! This fit-and-flare swing jacket nips gently at the midriff then flares elegantly and skims over hips, tummy, and thighs. The V neck shows off a luscious bosom and the deep collar a beautiful face. Finished bust sizes 42" to 58".
Tied-Up Tee Part of Ms. McGowan-Michael's Shapely Options Series. Finished bust sizes 36 inches to 58 inches.
Valentine Part of Ms. McGowan-Michael's Shapely Options series, Valentine features the great-fitting Shapely Body shell with a lacy cowl neck and fabulous matching lace stole. Finished bust sizes 36" to 58"