Twirly Girly Skirt Knitting Pattern by Elena Nodel - Detailed Instructions and Sizes

Twirly Girly Skirt

By Elena Nodel

So far it has been a very rainy and cold spring- usual for Vancouver...rain that's it. I have been organizing my stash, putting all the cotton yarns I have on top, and thinking of spring/summer projects. Here is one of my inspirations - The Twirly Girly Skirt. I like working with wool and cotton yarns for several reasons - fun colors and really high durability for playgrounds. I have worked out the stitch count for both worsted and DK weight yarns. The cast on will be given for both yarns separately. The amount of yarn needed really depends on a personal choice for skirt length. Sizes available: When choosing a size, please do not rely solely on age categories. Measure your child and choose the appropriate size. Note: yardages given below are only approximate and will vary if you customize length.

Suggested Yarns:

Dia Merino DK by Colour Adventures (100% merino; 211 m/231 yds in 100 g/3.53 oz) Dia Twist DK by Colour Adventures (100% merino; 229 m/250 yds in 115 g/4.06 oz) Cloud DK by Colour Adventures (80% merino, 10% cashmere, 10% nylon; 211 m/231yds in 100 g/3.53 0z) Dia Worsted by Colour Adventures (100% merino; 199 m /218 yds in 100 g/3.53 oz) Sweet Aran by Colour Adventures (100% merino; 183 m/200 yds in 115 g/4.06 oz) This design is suitable for wool or cotton yarns and their blends.

Notions:

Stitch marker 2 cm/3/4 inch elastic (actual length required = actual waist measurement -- 5 cm/2 inches) Worsted weight: 4.5 mm/US #7 circular needles (60 cm, 80 cm/24, 32 inches) DK weight: 4 mm/US #6 circular needles (60 cm, 80 cm/24, 32 inches)

Gauge:

Worsted version: 20 sts = 10 cm/4 inches DK version: 22 sts = 10 cm/4 inches

Pattern Notes:

The skirt is worked in the round, starting from the waistband and down. You will begin with knitting the waistband first, then you will fold the work in half and knit the working stitches together with the cast-on edge ones, and after that you will continue with knitting the skirt body. Please, look at the tutorial links for the Provisional cast on in the reference chapter at the end. Follow instructions for your yarn weight.

Abbreviations

k = knit; st/s = stitch/es m1 = make one new st; using left needle from front to back - lift running strand between stitches, and then knit into the back loop of the strand. yo - yarn over the needle; increased by 1 stitch; k2tog - knit two stitches together as one, 1 stitch decreased.

Pattern Instructions:

For Worsted weight yarn: Cast on 4 sts, then using provisional cast on method cast on additional 84 (92, 104, 116) sts. Total: 88 (96, 108, 120) sts. The 4 stitches you cast on normally will form a little gap after you fold the waistband and will allow you to thread the elastic band through later. You can either leave this gap or you can sew it up afterward. Place marker and join for working in the round. Be careful not to twist the stitches. Knit for 7 rounds. Purl one round. Knit 7 more rounds. For DK weight yarn: Cast on 4 sts, then using provisional method cast on additional 92 (100, 112, 124) sts. Total: 96 (104, 112, 124) sts. The 4 stitches you cast on normally will form a little gap after you fold the waistband and will allow you to thread the elastic band through later. You can either leave this gap or you can sew it up afterward. Knit for 8 rounds. Purl one round. Knit for 8 rounds.

Both Versions:

Now unravel the provisional cast on, and put those stitches on a second set of circular needles; or you can unravel one stitch at the time. Fold work in half at the purled round then with the right side facing you, knit first 4 sts, then take the first stitch from a provisional cast on edge and put it on your left needle and knit it together with the stitch on the needle, then place another stitch from the provisional cast on edge on your left needle and knit it together with the next stitch on the needle, and so on until all the stitches are consumed. If you are placing freed stitches on a spare set of needles, then align the stitches with the working stitches, and knit through both stitches (one from each needle) as if to knit. Continue in this manner till all the stitches are used up. You got yourself a knit- on waistband, no sewing!

Skirt:

Continue knitting in stockinette stitch for: Worsted Version: 14 rounds; DK Version: 16 rounds. Both Versions: \*k4, m1,\* repeat\*\* to the end of the round. Continue knitting in stockinette stitch for: Worsted Version: 14 rounds; DK Version: 16 rounds. Both Versions: \*k5, m1,\* repeat \*\* to the end of the round. Continue knitting in stockinette stitch for: Worsted Version: 14 rounds; DK Version: 16 rounds. Both Versions: \*k6, m1,\* repeat \*\* to the end of the round. Continue knitting and increasing in this manner until the skirt is desired length minus 7.5 cm/3 inches.

Ruffle:

Purl one round. Next round: \*k1, yo,\* repeat \*\* to the end of the round. Purl one round. Continue knitting in stockinette stitch for: Worsted Version: 16 rounds; DK Version: 18 rounds. Both Versions: \*k2tog, yo,\* repeat \* to the end of the round. Continue knitting in stockinette stitch for: Worsted Version: 4 rounds. DK Version: 5 rounds.

Both Versions: Bind off.

Fold at the yarnovers, and sew the bound off edge to the inside of the skirt (i.e. a picot edge hem).

Finishing Touches:

Weave in any loose ends. Thread the elastic through (use safety pin to guide the elastic through the enclosed waistband). Overlap elastic ends by 1.5 cm/0.5 inches, sew together.

Copyright

Please respect my designer rights, and as such the copyright of this pattern will always remain with me. I am providing this pattern for personal home use only. You may make garments from it as gifts or donate to charities and fundraisers. Commercial use of this pattern is a violation of the copyright. Selling products made from this pattern or distributing this pattern in any manner is prohibited under the copyright unless I, Elena Nodel, have granted express written permission.

References:

1. Provisional Cast On: www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSwG6SJ1z2I&fe ature=related (I use the second technique shown in this video). Www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3J-sUx whE 2. Directional Increases: www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnrVoUf2cLk&N R=1

Acknowledgments:

Heartfelt thanks and my deepest gratitude go to my wonderful group of testers, whose hard work brought this pattern to you. Special thanks go to Janet for helping me with the presentation of this pattern.

Contact Information:

Email: ElenaNodel@gmail.com Website: www.AnadiomenaDesigns.com Pattern Designs: www.ravelry.com/designers/Elena-Nodel Colour Adventures Yarns on Etsy: Blog: www.AnadiomenaDesigns.blogspot.com Ravelry Username: Anadiomena Ravelry Group: Anadiomena's Adventures Facebook: www.Facebook.com/AnadiomenasDesigns Twitter: www.Twitter.com/AnadiomenasNews