Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Skirt Stash

I've been on a serious production-knitting-jag.  Not that I don't enjoy the process (usually.)  But I have so much stash and an urgent need to knit-it-down.  The key with stash-busting, is trying to pair up a pattern "I want to knit AND I want to wear" with "what I have".


Many of you asked why I ripped out the original green version.  There really wasn't anything wrong with it, other than the stockinette part was too "holey".  And honestly, I hate wearing slips unless I absolutely have to.  And I really didn't want to try knit that green cotton tighter (because I'm not crazy about knitting with cotton yarn.  Dishcloths and washcloths, yes.  Clothing, not so much.)  So this yarn from the stash, knit at a little tighter gauge, worked out just fine...



Lacy Skirt with Bows
by Kat Coyle
Greetings From Knit Cafe
yarn:  Lion Brand Microspun
color: Sterling
5 skeins
needles:  size 4 and 5

I made quite a few modifications with this one...

I knit this at a little tighter gauge than the pattern (6st/inch). Cast on the amount of stitches for a medium and then decreased at the waist to the number of stitches for a small. Also shortened it to be just above the knee.

Knit this in the round instead of flat. Changed the decreases too…worked a few rounds of dec once the pattern switched to stockinette and then did 4 rounds of decreases at the waist in the last 3 inches. I think I might have worked the eyelet waistband a little differently too.

27 comments:

Annie said...

That is gorgeous! Looks so intricate. Bet you'll have fun wearing one that's short and sassy! And it will go with virtually any top you choose.

JelliDonut said...

That skirt is just drop-dead gorgeous! If I could get 10 pounds off my butt I'd make one for me. So may I'll just live vicariously through yours.

Tanya Willis Anderson said...

Gorgeous! I love your knit skirts - beautiful work. I'm excited bc a family friend has agreed to help me with my knitting future. lol I'm so excited bc she said she will teach me how to make socks soon.

Tanya

Ann at Beadlework. said...

Very clever knitting, as always.

Patty C. said...

I wish I could knit - So lovely - your talents is amazing !!!

Sally said...

So, so pretty and girly!! I love it! I made a baby hat out of LB Microspun. It is so soft and silky! Can't wait to see the next stash buster. :-)

Theresa said...

So pretty~~~~~~~

Jen said...

Very pretty, don't you love it when the knitting mojo is just pouring out...I on the other hand am struggling to find my mojo. So goes the cycle of knitting...Enjoy it!!

WendyJo said...

Absolutely love the skirt Staci.
Such a pretty color and design too!

Virginia G said...

It's really really lovely! I too have the whole wearability/knitting from my stash/finding patterns problem.

Crazee4books said...

Hi Staci,

That's quite a lovely skirt you've
created for yourself. The gray is
a pretty, soft color and I think
the lacy bottom third of the skirt
is beautiful.

I've been comparing the picture of
the green skirt to the picture of
the gray to understand what you
were talking about (the stockinette
part was too holey) and do see the
difference.

Since I don't read or speak Knit everything you wrote after the
last photo makes no sense what-
soever to me, but I suspect that the gist of it is that you took
the pattern and changed a whole
bunch of stuff so that the skirt
would fit you. Pretty good eh?

Cheers!

Cindy's Stitching said...

just beautiful. Make me one :)

Julie said...

Very lovely, the pattern is beautiful, i bet its gorgeous to wear

Sally said...

That is really pretty Staci. I think I have too big a butt to wear knitted skirts!

Hazel said...

Gorgeous. I love all your knittted skirts. x

Melanie said...

Very pretty!! I love it. :)

Jan said...

This is gorgeous, Staci and count me envious for your knitting talents AND the fact that you will fit into this little charmer!

Carol R said...

Lovely skirt Staci!

Nancy said...

I love your skirt Staci! The lacy border is so pretty!

Ginny said...

Your gray skirt turned out absolutely fabulous and I'll bet you look gorgeous in it.

Lois said...

It's lovely!

Dani - tkdchick said...

Oooh pretty!

Siobhán said...

That is so pretty and intricate! Beautiful work, Staci.

sara said...

Hi there Staci, thanks for the lovely comment you left, that skirt is looking seriously gorgeous, I'm off now to have a little browse through your knitty blog.
lily x

SandraRee said...

Hey...I know all about stash, wished I had your talent! Very nice, I'd wear in a heartbeat! :)

Aussie Stitcher said...

Your skirt is gorgeous. I like Annie's description, "short and sassy". Well done.

Unknown said...

Love the skirt! It's so pretty and feminine.