The Design

“Sass up your stride!”

We love seeing knitwear in current fashion magazines―so when this beautiful knit skirt caught our eye in an Autumn spread, we had to know more. Ribbing with a generous sassy split, turns out it was a dress from AG. But it so reminded us of our Ribbed Pencil Skirt. Pressed out from hip to hemline for a smooth fit that skims the hips without clinging―a wardrobe classic with an update!

Our version is knit in Brooklyn Tweed's Arbor, a firmly spun DK-weight that's warm and woolly, yet light enough for year round wear. Skein-dyed at the Saco River Dyehouse in Maine (in thirty colors!), Arbor's worsted-spun round composition creates great stitch definition and firm fabric―perfect for ribbing, perfect for skirt fabric.

Two rectangular panels are knit separately. A simple folded waistband and a stretch of elastic finishes up the comfortable waist. Swatching is never more vital than in garment knitting, so read our swatching, seaming and size information in the Knitter's Notes tab.

An updated classic with a functional and sassy slit―we bet you won't make just one!

The Details

FINISHED SIZES
Finished hip (actual measurement after seaming):
32 (34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52)";
81 (86, 91, 97, 102, 107, 112, 117, 122, 127, 132)cm.

28" LENGTH VERSION (shown):
7 (7, 8, 8, 9, 9, 10, 10, 11, 11, 11) skeins Brooklyn Tweed Arbor (145 yds/133m each); shown in color Humpback.

Custom Length: Add or subtract 32 (34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52) yds; 29 (31, 33, 35, 37, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48)m for each 1"/2.5cm of adjusted length.

NEEDLES & NOTIONS (both versions)
US 4 (3.5mm) needles, or size to obtain gauge.
US 2 (2.75-3mm), or 2 sizes smaller than gauge size.
Locking stitch marker.
Blocking wires and t-pins (optional but recommended).
¾" wide non-roll elastic (waist measurement + 2"); needle and thread.

GAUGE
24 sts/30 rows = 4"/10cm on larger needles in K2/P2 ribbing, blocked.

KNITTER'S NOTES
Don't skip the swatching step with this one. A firm, yet drapey fabric makes all the difference to a successful project—a skirt you'll reach for again and again. We recommend a six inch by six inch swatch for this skirt. Be sure to wet block and steam press your swatch -- you want the correct gauge and structure so your skirt will keep its shape and your ribs will stay pressed open. Continue to check your gauge throughout your project knitting.

To choose your size, measure around the fullest part of your hips and use this number for your finished measurement. If necessary, round up, not down--the skirt should just skim your hips without stretching. If you'd prefer a little more ease, choose the next size up.

The length of the split is completely customizable. Ours hits just a couple of inches above the knee, but it might be helpful to do the following: take both blocked pieces of fabric. Complete waistband steps and insert elastic. Then try on your skirt, seeing where it hits on your hips and waist. Use safety pins along side seams to measure length of slit you like, then seam! This will allow you to determine both length of elastic and slit.

Note: Our sample knitter's row gauge came in a bit smaller than our pattern calls for, and we've adapted yarn and yardage quantities accordingly. Smaller row gauge means you are using more yarn, so as always, order an additional skein in the same dye lot if you want to be sure you have enough.