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

Adrienne Cardigan

This pretty cardigan is shaped in the waist with deep ribbing that stops just short of it's dramatic front lace panels. 3/4 length sleeves feature a fitted shoulder, horizontal lace panels and a romantic flounce.

Stephanie Tee

The Stephanie Tee is an elegant solution for steamy weather. Easy sleeves give the comfort of a tank and the coverage of a tee. Short-row shaping in the bust and sleeves assure a perfect fit for a range of sizes. The knitting is kept interesting by utilizing a challenging lace pattern balanced with an simple openwork ladder stitch.

Nanette Tee

This quick and easy top is a suitable knit for advanced beginners. It features a pretty sweetheart neckline with bust gathering, side shaping and tiny knit-in cap sleeves.

Knitting Lingerie Style Book

Joan has single-handedly pioneered the current trend for knitting undies and in this book has designed 32 lovely pieces of actual lingerie and lingerie-inspired garments.

Childs Cable and Leaf Knitting Pattern

This adorable dress/shorts set was featured in the 2001 Special Kid's issue of Vogue Knitting.

Zelda Pattern

This adorable top is inspired by one of Joan's favorite fashion eras, the fabulous 1940's.

Ruby Knitting Pattern

Victorian-inspired Ruby is a tasteful and flattering knit featuring a built-in hourglass shape. Black satin ribbon trim traces curves and dimensional cables enhance the feminine figure.

Alyce Tee Knitting Pattern

This pretty fitted tee shows off your curves as well as your knitting prowess, yet it is not at all difficult to do.

Evangeline Tunic Knitting Pattern

The lovely Evangeline is a combination of the most flattering figure-enhancing shapes!

Lucy's Chemise Nightie

Grown weary of socks and scarves? Wake up your knitting with sleepwear! If you can’t bear to wear it to bed, pull it on over a tee shirt and skinny jeans for a lacy tunic look.

Delilah

This sinfully sexy fitted cami shows off not only your devastating curves, but your knitting prowess as well! But why keep it indoors? Wear the top layered over a tank with your favorite jeans and slay the world at large.

Sophia

Knitting is sexy?!
You bet; like an Italian movie star!

You'll prove it true in this glamorous two-piece babydoll set, suitable for lounging, sleeping or partying.

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!

Marlaina Stockings

These pretty Victorian-inspired stockings are a lovely way to show off a well-turned ankle. They are worked from the toe up for easy try-ons.
Though the stockings are thigh high, (22" from floor to the Zig-Zag Lace), the knitter can stop anywhere along the way, add the ribbing, and be done.

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"

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"

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".

Adrienne Cardigan This pretty cardigan is shaped in the waist with deep ribbing that stops just short of it's dramatic front lace panels. 3/4 length sleeves feature a fitted shoulder, horizontal lace panels and a romantic flounce.
Stephanie Tee The Stephanie Tee is an elegant solution for steamy weather. Easy sleeves give the comfort of a tank and the coverage of a tee. Short-row shaping in the bust and sleeves assure a perfect fit for a range of sizes. The knitting is kept interesting by utilizing a challenging lace pattern balanced with an simple openwork ladder stitch.
Nanette Tee This quick and easy top is a suitable knit for advanced beginners. It features a pretty sweetheart neckline with bust gathering, side shaping and tiny knit-in cap sleeves.
Knitting Lingerie Style Book Joan has single-handedly pioneered the current trend for knitting undies and in this book has designed 32 lovely pieces of actual lingerie and lingerie-inspired garments.
Childs Cable and Leaf Knitting Pattern This adorable dress/shorts set was featured in the 2001 Special Kid's issue of Vogue Knitting.
Zelda Pattern This adorable top is inspired by one of Joan's favorite fashion eras, the fabulous 1940's.
Ruby Knitting Pattern Victorian-inspired Ruby is a tasteful and flattering knit featuring a built-in hourglass shape. Black satin ribbon trim traces curves and dimensional cables enhance the feminine figure.
Alyce Tee Knitting Pattern This pretty fitted tee shows off your curves as well as your knitting prowess, yet it is not at all difficult to do.
Evangeline Tunic Knitting Pattern The lovely Evangeline is a combination of the most flattering figure-enhancing shapes!
Lucy's Chemise Nightie Grown weary of socks and scarves? Wake up your knitting with sleepwear! If you can’t bear to wear it to bed, pull it on over a tee shirt and skinny jeans for a lacy tunic look.
Delilah This sinfully sexy fitted cami shows off not only your devastating curves, but your knitting prowess as well! But why keep it indoors? Wear the top layered over a tank with your favorite jeans and slay the world at large.
Sophia Knitting is sexy?! You bet; like an Italian movie star! You'll prove it true in this glamorous two-piece babydoll set, suitable for lounging, sleeping or partying.
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!
Marlaina Stockings These pretty Victorian-inspired stockings are a lovely way to show off a well-turned ankle. They are worked from the toe up for easy try-ons. Though the stockings are thigh high, (22" from floor to the Zig-Zag Lace), the knitter can stop anywhere along the way, add the ribbing, and be done.
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"
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"
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".