I've been wanting to knit a skirt for years. And I finally did it! I'm not sure why I waited for so long, but this skirt (Ravelry link) finally put me over the edge.
Pattern: Drops 118-14 Skirt with Lace Pattern
Needles: US 6
Yarn: Rowan Lenpur Linen in Ignite, 8 skeins
Time to Knit: July 7 - August 21
The pattern was pretty straightforward and easy to execute, except that the charted lace drove me a little bit crazy. The decreases were not symmetrical (they were all k2togs or p2togs) and on one row the placement of the decreases was not symmetrical when it could have been. I should have looked at this from the start and fixed it, but I knit one repeat before I realized what was going on, and then I didn't want to rip it out or have it look too different from the others. So I compensated a little (symmetric decreases using some ssk's and ssp's), and gritted my teeth through the badly placed decreases on that one row.
Other than that the pattern was fine. The elastic was easy to put into the waist, and the skirt fit the way I expected it to.
The yarn was interesting to use. It's 25% linen and 75% lenpur, which is made from wood pulp. It's soft, kind of splitty, and seems to make a good fabric for the skirt. I think the skirt has stretched somewhat lengthwise since I put it on this morning, but not to a horrible degree. The label says that the yarn should be handwashed, but I put one of my swatches through the washer and dryer and liked it better than the hand-washed swatch.
The skirt is swingy and fun to wear. It doesn't cling to my hips, and I feel like it's flattering. I did line the skirt because the lace section does go up pretty far. I used some knit fabric that I had in my stash and traced the skirt's outline to make a simple pattern.
I'm so pleased with how it came out. I'm definitely encouraged to knit more skirts, and I think I'm ready to also tackle a knit dress. Maybe in time for Rhinebeck?
I think you could totally pull off a shorter and/or more fitted skirt! Good job!
Posted by: Lisa R | August 25, 2010 at 10:59 PM
That is a great skirt! Wonderful color and the fit is perfect. There are lots of pretty knit dress patterns out now, I say go for it. I like your shoes. What brand are they?
Posted by: Brenda | August 26, 2010 at 11:15 AM
Absolutely gorgeous!
Posted by: Paula Boren | August 27, 2010 at 09:31 AM
wow, it looks great!
Posted by: cauchy09 | August 29, 2010 at 07:40 PM
Beautiful -- and looks great on you!
Posted by: kath | August 29, 2010 at 08:11 PM
It is so pretty and looks great on you!
Posted by: KnittySue | September 02, 2010 at 06:07 AM
Very Cute!
Posted by: Jillian | September 06, 2010 at 12:50 PM
Wow! I love it. It looks like it has lots of possibilities. Nice, cute, comfortable, skirt by day. However, add a cute petticoat and it has a bit more pzazz and can be dressed up.
Posted by: NIkki | September 07, 2010 at 10:14 PM
Very nice!!
I'm enjoying your blog - I'm a knitter, sew-ist, and mom too. Wonderful.
Thanks for sharing the dress reviews. I think I'm similar sized and it helps to see them on a real person.
Posted by: Erika | September 09, 2010 at 01:04 PM
That skirt is so cute and looks great on you! I love your shorter haircut... kinda' sassy :)
Posted by: lisa | September 12, 2010 at 07:22 PM
Oh my. That's it. I'm going to knit this skirt. In the same colour, obviously ;)
Posted by: Joy-Mari | April 01, 2011 at 04:31 PM