Perfect Fit Skirt

By Just call me Ruby

Perfect Fit Skirt

Materials

Rowan Tapestry yarn (50gm/120metres approx)
70% wool/30% soyabean protein fibre
1 inch (2.5cm) wide non-roll elastic

7 x 50gm balls - shade 170

Needles

1 pair 3.25 (US #4) needles
1 4mm (US #6) circular needle

Tension

22 sts x 30 rows to 4 ins (10cm) on 4mm needles using stocking stitch.

Abbreviations

pm - place marker
Orange Text - Indicates an amendment to the pattern has been made since first published.

To get the perfect fitting skirt:

This pattern is written for a 34 inch waist band (sitting below the waist and above hip bones) and 36 inch hip. To get the perfect fit for any wearer, measure around the wearer at the point where the skirt is to fit, multiply this number by 5.5 (This is the number of stitches to the inch. If your yarn tension is different to that specified in this pattern you must multiply by the number of stitches to the inch/cm of your yarn.) and this will give you the number of stitches to cast on with.

To calculate where to place your markers, divide your total number of stitches by 4.

For example, if your total number of stitches is 200, dividing by 4 gives you 50 x 4.

Click to see larger image

To get a nicely shaped skirt with increases at both side seams and evenly spaced increases on the front and back of the skirt, 6 markers need to be placed. Each round commences at a side seam, which is half way through a block of 50 sts, (using the example above), therefore you would knit 25 sts, then place a marker. You are now at either the centre front or centre back panel of the skirt so you need to knit a full block of stitches before placing another marker, so in this case, knit 50 then place marker. Knit a further 25 stitches to take you to the second side seam and place a marker, a further 25 stitches to take you to the opposite centre panel, place a marker again, then knit 50 stitches, place a marker, knit the final 25 to complete the round and place your last marker.

Each time you work an increase round you will be increasing by 12 stitches. The increase rounds are spaced in this pattern to give an attractive, gradual flare (A line) to the skirt, without it sticking out too much or clinging too tightly. By decreasing the rounds worked between each increase the flare of the skirt will increase and there will be more fullness around the body. By increasing the rounds worked between each increase the skirt will be straighter and tighter around the body.

Click to see larger image

At any point when you are happy with the length of the skirt you can work the edging border and cast off. To try the skirt on before casting off, transfer your stitches onto waste yarn, knot the waste yarn and slip the skirt on, bearing in mind there is no elastic in the waist. However, you will be able to tell if the skirt is fitting well.

You can change the edging border but I would suggest you always work a border at the bottom of the skirt to add weight and help the drop of the skirt. A stocking stitch edge at the bottom of the skirt will curl up and not lie flat.

Pattern

PLEASE NOTE: This skirt is knitted in one piece in the round from the top down, enabling the wearer to try the skirt on at any point to check for fit and length. The skirt is designed to sit slightly below waist level.

Using 3.25mm (US #4) needles cast on 186 sts. Commencing with a knit row work in stocking stitch for 9 rows.

Next Row: Knit (this creates fold line for waist band).

Change to 4mm (US #6) circular needle.

Next row: k23, pm, k47, pm, k23, pm, k23, pm, k47, pm, k23, pm.

Join into a round at the end of this row and work in rounds of knit only from this point, (commencing each round at side seam), increasing one stitch either side of each marker (12 increases) by picking up loop between stitches and knitting into the back of the loop, on every 20 th row 3 times, then on every 36 th row 4 times, until 270 sts.

Next two rounds: purl
Next two rounds: knit
Next three rounds: purl
Next two rounds: knit
Next four rounds: purl

Cast off.

Click to see larger image

Making up

Darn in all ends.
Fold over waist band to wrong side of skirt and pin in place. Sew into place using a slip stitch. Leave band open. Cut elastic to length by measuring round position where skirt to sit, with elastic comfortably stretched. Put safety pin through one end of elastic, and draw elastic through waist band. Pin both ends of elastic together and sew together. Sew up opening in waistband.