DIY Network

Flirty Skirty Knit this bewitching skirt that features eye-catching decorative stitches. From "Knitty Gritty" episode DKNG-412

Knitwear designer Tina Marrin joins us with a very flirty skirt. She starts the pattern with a frilly edge that is knit up on straight needles. It's a simple pattern of ribbing and dropped stitches that give a dramatic effect.

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Materials:

Flirty Skirty

6 skeins Rowan Wool Cotton
knitting needles, U.S. size 5, 1 pair straight
knitting needles, U.S. size 5, 1 pair 26" circular
1 marker
length of elastic to fit around waist

Gauge: 5 stitches = 1"

Stitches used:
cobweb frill
butterfly
rib

Abbreviations used:
BO bind off
CO cast on
K knit
K1-b knit 1 through the back loop
P purl
WYIB with yarn in back

Note: Skirt will be started by knitting on straights and then switching to circulars. Once using circulars, the nonpublic, or purl, side will be on the inside and the public, or knit, side will be facing the outside.

Frill:
With straight needles, CO 226 stitches.
Row 1: K1-b, *P2, K1-b; rep from *.
Row 2: P1, *K1-b, K1, P1; rep from *.
Repeat rows 1 and 2 four times (end with a Row 2).
Next Row: K1-b, *drop next stitch off needle, P1, K1-b; rep from * (151 stitches on the needle).
Work in ribbing as follows:
Row 1: P1, *K1-b, P1; rep from *.
Row 2: K1-b, *P1, K1-b; rep from *.
Repeat these last two rows once more.
Ravel the dropped stitches all the way down to the CO row.

Careful dropping of stitches...

...will produce the lacy frill effect.

Details of cobweb frill and butterfly stitch

Body:
Switch to circular needles and decrease 1 stitch with a P stitch (150 stitches on the needle).
P4 more, slip 5 WYIB, *P5, slip 5 WYIB; rep from *until end of row.
Place marker and prepare to join row circularly for knitting in the round.
Row 1: P-150 stitches.
Row 2: *P5, slip 5 WYIB; rep from * until end of round.
Repeat rows 1 and 2 three more times.

• Then P7, *on the next stitch (which is a the center of the slipped group) insert right-hand needle down through the five loose strands, bring needle up and transfer the five strands to left-hand needle, purl the five strands and the next stitch together as one stitch; P9; repeat from *, end last repeat with a P2.

• Then P2, *on the next stitch (which is a the center of the slipped group) insert right-hand needle down through the five loose strands, bring needle up and transfer the five strands to left-hand needle, purl the five strands and the next stitch together as one stitch; P9; repeat from *, end last repeat with a P7.

You may have the hang of the stitch pattern by now, but just in case:
Do Row 2A and 1A for FOUR rounds, then do first bulleted step.
Do Row 2B and 1B for FOUR rounds, then do second bulleted step.

Repeat this over and over until the garment is 19" long, or the desired length.

Begin waist:
(You may switch to size-3 circular needles, but it is not necessary.)
Work KP rib for 7 rows.

Create turning ridge:
Knit 150 stitches.

Finish waist:
KP rib for 7 more rows.
BO and tie in ends.
Measure elastic to desired size; cut and sew together.
Lay elastic inside top edge and fold at turning ridge (figure A) while seaming in elastic (figure B).
Seam up the frill slit.

Figure A

Figure B

RESOURCES :

yarn
Yarn Market
Website: www.yarnmarket.com

Rowan yarns
Website: www.knitrowan.com

GUESTS :

Tina Marrin
E-mail: tinamarrin@hotmail.com