1937 Knitted Bathing Suit Pattern | Vintage Swimwear & Sun Dress with Detachable Skirt

Holiday knitwear doesn’t come much more charming than this delightful 1937 knitted bathing suit and sun-bathing ensemble. Designed for the woman who wanted a practical swimsuit as well as a stylish outfit for relaxing by the sea, the pattern includes a simple knitted bathing dress together with a matching detachable skirt and smart sailor collar for sun-bathing. The original magazine described it as “the perfect suit for swimming or sunbathing”, praising its simple styling and easy construction.

The suit is knitted in Bairns-Wear Swim Wool, using 11 ounces of white with 1 ounce each of scarlet and royal blue for the contrasting trim. The original pattern requires 3.25mm (UK No.10) and 2.75mm (UK No.12) knitting needles, a 2.75mm (UK No.12) crochet hook, and four buttons. It is worked at a tension of 7 stitches to 1 inch on the larger needles and produces a bathing suit measuring approximately 28 inches (71cm) around the bust, 31 inches (79cm) around the hips, and 23 inches (58cm) from the top edge to the leg opening. The detachable skirt measures approximately 38 inches (97cm) around the hips with a finished length of 17 inches (43cm) from waist to hem.

A fascinating example of 1930s beachwear, this pattern captures the elegance and practicality of the era, making it a wonderful addition to any collection of vintage knitting patterns or historical swimwear designs.

Choose How You Receive Your Pattern!
You can either: Order the printed version and have it mailed right to your door, perfect
for adding to your knitting collection. or opt for the PDF download if you’d like to get
started right away! The choice is yours, happy knitting!