When I first received an email from Debbie Stoller about potentially submitting a pattern for Stitch n Bitch: Nation.  I was skeptically that I could actually create something that would be worthwhile, so I ignored the email.  However, it nagged at my unconscious and I finally decided to knit something.  She had suggested that she was looking for patterns that were funky and different, so I went all out.

This is the original incarnation of Sexie (named, by the way, after the last comedy tour of my favorite comedian Eddie Izzard).

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This version was created using Lambs Pride.  I incorporated beads and stripes as well as an asymmetrical neckline.  The back is lacy and laces up like a corset.  (Wow, my hair was short!)

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The pattern was almost too crazy to submit, but after delaying for a little while longer, I emailed the pictures to Debbie.  After about a month and completely forgetting about it, I received another email from Debbie saying she liked my idea, but wanted to tweak it a little (actually a lot!).  I was overjoyed and ready to jump in.  I still have no idea why she liked my project, but my belief is that she liked the Eddie Izzard reference and the lacy back.  (The summer issue of Bust featured an interview by Debbie with Eddie).

So after sending some sketches and ideas back and forth, we came up with the idea to maintain the halter top and lacy back, and lose the beads, stripes, and asymmetrical top.  We also decided to add a column of eyelets up the front middle.  I quickly bought some cheap yarn (Red Heart TLC, I believe) and knitted up a version.

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Overall, Debbie liked this version, though she wanted the back portion higher and the front a little longer.  The most difficult part of designing the pattern for me was figuring out how to get those eyelets to line up in a row.  Since she liked it, Debbie ordered me some very nice Berroco yarn: Softwist (in black, red, and purple) and Glace (in red, purple, dark purple, and black).

Here is the first Softwist version in black and red.

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This version again needed to be longer in the front and higher in the back.  You can also see I crocheted an enormous chain for the tie in the back.  (This one is in my knitting stash nearly finished, but the ends aren't woven in, I did a good job of hiding them for the pictures).  I knit another black version, this time with purple.  This one got sent to Debbie.

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Then there was a red and black version in Glace, also sent to Debbie.

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And finally a purple and dark purple version in Glace.  This is the one that is on the cover of the book!

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I hope you enjoy the pattern.  Also feel free to email me any questions or comments about it!