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SWTC - Amaizing

Fall is here in Texas and we can breathe a sigh of relief... the temperature has dropped from the hundreds to the nineties. At the very least we can trick ourselves into thinking it's really fall by wearing clothing in beautiful autumn colors. I chose this lovely SWTC bamboo yarn for the skirt because it will not be wool-weather here for another three months. However, it can easily be substituted for a warmer yarn for those lucky enough to already be experiencing cool temperatures. Another way to add some extra warmth to this skirt would be to have it lined in silk.

I have been looking for a garment exactly like this one for over a year, and finally decided just to make one. The knitted fabric drapes closely over the figure, enhancing the style of this coy little skirt. Purple is the color of passion, and is also a charming color for fall. The pattern is really quite simple, with the corset panel in back being the only tricky part. The loops that you lace the ribbon through are worked at the end using a simple crochet chain technique.

I think that this skirt would enhance a slim figure, and look absolutely fabulous on a voluptuous one. Wear it anywhere that you want to draw attention to yourself. It will turn heads.

model: Ashley Moncrief photos: Monty Moncrief

SIZE
XS[S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X] (shown in size XS)
 
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Waist circumference: 26[28, 30, 33, 36, 39, 42] inches (after elastic insertion)
Hip circumference: 34[36, 37.75, 41, 43.75, 47, 50] inches
Length: 22[23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28] inches

Fitting note: skirt sits below waistline

 
MATERIALS
South West Trading Company Bamboo [100% Bamboo; 250yd/228m per 100g skein]; color: Plum; 4[4, 4, 5, 6, 6, 7] skeins

24-inch US #4 (3.5mm) circular needle (larger sizes may prefer a 32-inch needle)
24-inch US #6 (4.25mm) circular needle (larger sizes may prefer a 32-inch needle)
4 stitch markers - one marker should be a different color from the others, to act as marker for end of round
Crochet hook
2 safety pins
.625 inch wide ribbon for "corset" lacing; approx. 6[6, 6, 7, 7, 8, 8] feet
.625 inch wide elastic for waistband; 25[27, 29, 32, 35, 38, 41] inches

 
GAUGE
25 sts / 36 rows = 4 inches in stockinette st on smaller needle
PATTERN NOTES

[Knitty's list of standard abbreviations and techniques can be found here]

EOR marker: End-of-round marker (this should be the marker that is a different color from the others)

 

DIRECTIONS

Using smaller needle, CO 172[184, 196, 216, 234, 254, 272] sts. Place EOR marker and join to begin working in the round, being careful not to twist.

K 9 rounds.

P 1 round, to form turning ridge for elastic casing.

K 9 rounds.

Set-up Round: K86[92, 98, 108, 117, 127, 136], place marker to indicate side "seam" placement, k30[33, 33, 38, 40, 45, 49], place marker to indicate beg of back panel, p26[26, 32, 32, 37, 37, 38], place marker to indicate end of back panel, k to end.

Increase Round: K2, m1, k to 2 sts before 1st marker, m1, k4, m1, k to 2nd marker, p to 3rd marker, k to 2 sts before EOR marker, m1, k2. 4 sts increased.

Work 2 rounds in patt as set (working sts of back panel in reverse stockinette st).

Repeat these 3 rounds twice more. 184[196, 208, 228, 246, 266, 284] sts.

Work Increase Round.

Work 5 rounds in patt as set.

Repeat these 6 rounds six times more. 212[224, 236, 256, 274, 294, 312] sts.

Cont in patt as set until work measures 7[8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13] inches from turning ridge.

Note: Read ahead before proceeding.

Decrease Round: K2, k2tog, k to 4 sts before 1st marker, ssk, k4, k2tog, k to 2nd marker, p to 3rd marker, k to 4 sts before EOR marker, ssk, k2. 4 sts decreased.
Work 17 rounds in patt as set.
Repeat these 18 rounds 5 times more. 188[200, 212, 232, 250, 270, 288] sts.
Work measures 19[20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25] inches from turning ridge.

AT THE SAME TIME, when work measures 11[11, 11, 13, 13, 15, 15] inches from turning ridge, work as follows:

Next Round: K to 2nd marker, remove marker, yo, k to 3rd marker, remove marker, yo, k to end. Back panel is complete.

Next Round: [K to yo, place yo on hold on safety pin] twice, k to end. The held sts will later be used as starting points for crocheted loops, through which ribbon will be laced to create a corset effect.

Cont in stockinette st until shaping is complete.

Ruffle
Next Round: Using larger needle, [k1, m1] to end. 376[400, 424, 464, 500, 540, 576] sts.
Cont in stockinette st, using larger needle, until ruffle measures 3 inches. BO all sts.

FINISHING

Weave in ends.

Cut a piece of waistband elastic that is 25[27, 29, 32, 35, 38, 41] inches long. Ensuring that elastic is not twisted, overlap ends approx. 0.5 inch and sew securely, forming a loop.

Place elastic inside waistband section of skirt and fold casing over elastic, along turning ridge. Sew CO edge of casing to inside of skirt, enclosing elastic.

Loops:

Remove one st from safety pin and place on crochet hook. Attach yarn using sl st.

*Ch 8.

Count 8 rounds up back panel and insert hook into center of purl stitch at edge of panel, behind horizontal strand at front of stitch and through to front, yarn over, draw yarn through both loops on hook.

Work into each of next 9 sts (counting vertically) in the same way, making a chained row along edge of back panel.*

Repeat from * to * to top of back panel. Break yarn, draw through last ch on hook and pull tight.

Repeat for remaining held st.

Weave in remaining ends.

Lace ribbon through loops, using photo as a guide.

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

Ashley Moncrief has to fend off two cats, a rabbit, and an amorous husband in order to get any knitting done; for this, she appreciates how lucky she is.

Ashley is a new designer to Knitty.