“I wonder if I could knit a skirt…”
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These are the types of things that fly into my head right as it hits the pillow.
I was in a lurch of what to start working on for my next Lion Brand pattern when this maxi skirt idea hit me. By this point it was the beginning of August, and I was already prepping for October. It’s odd to think of pumpkins and crunching leaves in the middle of a heatwave, but here I was… wondering what amazing pattern I could make for Fall.
You all know I love dresses, so I wondered if I could make a knit skirt.. but somehow not have it fall off the wearer. Knitting is tricky and ribbing can only do so much, so I took inspo from my Easy Eyelet Yoke Dress and Seaside Scallop Dress and went to buy some elastic. Thick one this time!
Off to Pinterest! I love scrolling Pinterest for fall and winter style outfits for inspo. I knew I wanted to make a skirt that was a maxi, but I wasn’t sure what silhouette. An a-line skirt? A pencil skirt? There are so many to choose from. I stumbled on a pin of a woman with a cozy sweater tucked into a felt looking skirt and I knew that was it. The first building block to the Peek-A-Boo Maxi Skirt.
DESIGN DETAILS
The Peek-A-Boo Maxi Skirt is knit top-down and has a thick waistband and a mesh bottom. But the best part about that waistband though? It’s knit like a double brim and has a thick 1-inch wide piece of elastic that you sandwich in it. Which not only gives structure to the maxi skirt, but it keeps it in place and doesn’t leave you worried that your skirt is going to slip off!
I knew I wanted to create a skirt that wasn’t tooo much fabric, still felt full, but didn’t bunch too much. So the Peek-A-Boo Maxi skirt is knit with 7-9 inches of positive ease on the bum (based on Craft Yarn Council standards for waist and hips for XS-5XL to make sure it fits all your tushies), meaning it will still lie quite flat in the “body”, with a bit of ruching at the top of the waistband. Giving a fit and flare look.
The best part of the skirt - I personally think - is actually in the bottom few inches. I wanted to create a fabric characteristic that would still be light and flowy while giving some detail for the eye to catch. The lace at the bottom is quite beginner-friendly and really oomphs up the glam factor and takes this otherwise simple stockinette skirt and raises it a bunch of bars.
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THE YARN
Often knitting a lot of fabric can make a piece heavy and super blocky. I knew when I designed this piece that I wanted something that would still drape really well, have great movement, and would bounce back with wear. With sitting on your bum a lot (especially lately with COVID) I wanted to find a yarn that wouldn’t pill on the butt with all the friction of being on a chair all day. I had knit previously my Side Split Pullover last year with Lion Brand LB Collection Superwash Merino, and I knew it could stand up to the test. It’s light (a DK weight), has a great bounce to it, holds it’s shape and doesn’t pill. Plus when I saw they had it in Hunter Green, there was no going back. Imagine pumpkin patch, floppy hat, short booties, and blouse? Yes, puhlease! Note that if you are using this yarn and decide to wet-block, this yarn is MEANT to be tumble dried in the dryer. It stretches A LOT when wet. So I suggest a steam block, and then when you wash it, hand wash in tepid water with wool wash, place it in a delicates bag, and throw er’ in the dryer - TRUST ME.
PICKING YOUR SIZE
1 ) You will want to go off your natural waist measurements, where it is the smallest. If you are in between sizes, I would suggest going down. It has an elastic, so even if your measurements are not bang on, the elastic will help.
2) The skirt circumference is 7-9 inches wider than the band, so if you're worried that it may not cover your bum - I promise it will! That being said, if you have been given the glorious gift of a larger bum than is listed with the corresponding waist size, feel free to bump up a size (the elastic will be your friend in this
3) I made the medium (which is a 28-30" waist and 38-40" bum/hip), and my personal measurements are 31" for the waist, and 41.5" for my hips, for reference.
LISTING DETAILS
DESCRIPTION
Fall is upon us and that means that knits are coming out of the closet, and you better bet this skirt is going to be one of your go-tos. With a thick double brim band (with an encased elastic sewn in), and a cascading empire skirt, the best part of this pattern is left for last. At the bottom, you'll find a gorgeous peek-a-boo section of eyelet lace that shows off just a bit of the calf. Put your mind on hold, as you get to relax with this one.
Knit top-down, in the round, and seamless, this pattern is written in nine sizes – XS (S, M, L, XL) (2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL). This skirt was designed with 0-2 inches of positive/neutral ease for the waist and 7-9 inches of positive ease for the hip/bum. When picking your size, go off your natural waist measurements – where it is the smallest. If you are in-between sizes, I would suggest going down. The model pictured is wearing the size M and is 5’7”, 142 pounds, and has a waist of 31” in circumference, for reference.
Knit in the round, seamless.
SIZES
XS – 23-24" waist, 33-34" hip
S – 25-26.5" waist, 35-36" hip
M – 28-30" waist, 38-40" hip
L – 32-34" waist, 42-44" hip
XL – 36-38" waist, 46-48" hip
2XL – 40-42" waist, 52-53" hip
3XL – 44-45" waist, 54-55" hip
4XL – 46-47" waist, 56-57" hip
5XL –49-50" waist, 61-62" hip
Pattern has been tested in all sizes.
DIFFICULTY
Advanced beginner You will need to know how to cast on, knit stitch, purl stitch, work in the round, increase, decrease, pick up stitches, bind off
Materials needed:
3 (XS), 4 (S, M, L), 5 (XL, 2XL, 3XL), 6 (4XL, 5XL) skeins of Lion Brand LB Collection Superwash Merino or 875yds/800meters to 1875yds/1714meters of size 3 DK yarn
Size US 9/5.5mm knitting needles 24”/60cm circular needles (4+5XL may benefit from 32”/82cm)
Sewing needle
You can purchase this specific yarn through this affiliate link: https://shrsl.com/2j4nf
TESTERS
How gorgeous are all my testers? You can find their exact yardages, yarn subs and photos below!
YARDAGES
This is the range that my testers used, please note to always check the yardages I have listed in the materials section..
XS – 780-918 yards
S – 942-960 yards
M – 952-1057 yards
L – 1123-1160 yards
XL – 1207-1334 yards
2XL – 1415-1496 yards
3XL – 1304-1472 yards
4XL – 1589-1665 yards
5XL –1530-1780 yards
YARNS USED
LB Collection Superwash Merino
Audine Wools Shine Sport
Cascade 220 Superwash
Cascade Longwood Sport
Drops Merino Extra Fine Superwash
Estelle Double Knit
Knitpicks Swish DK
Loops and Threads Joy DK
Mayflower Easy Care Merino Classic
Patons Classic Wool Superwash DK
Tencel Bamboo Double
We Are Knitters Pima Cotton
Yarn Bee Soft & Sleek DK