the blue blog archives: the proof is in the knitting

I had so much fun knitting wee's little red skirt, I couldn't help casting on for another skirt for her. (Even though hubby thinks that knit skirts are silly and refuses to admit that the red skirt is the cutest thing ever!)

The Twirly Skirt by Christine Schwender, who co-wrote Barefoot Knits, is a four-tiered skirt which gets wider from top to bottom and is supposed to be very twirly when it's all done. (The pattern is not in my copy of Barefoot Knits, despite many folks' claims that it's in the book. It was available in InKnitters magazine and there is a version of the pattern available on Ravelry.) I chose four different colors of Rowan handknit cotton, since my lys had more color choices in the handknit cotton than they did in the cotton fleece.

I'm only on the second tier, but the knitting is already getting dull since it's just stockinette stitch in the round, interrupted only for the eyelet rounds at the color changes. It's turning out to be a little hard keeping my motivation on this one, especially as it's gray and chilly outside, but I've got to keep knitting, if only to prove hubby wrong! Hee, hee.

posted by alison at 9:36 am | in summer knits

Comments

That is adorable! I know your wee one will love it, mine (who at nearly 8 isn't so wee anymore) would!

Posted by: Jennifer at March 27, 2009 10:02 AM

Another cute skirt! My three-year old loves skirts, too, but I had never thought about knitting her one. You inspired me.

Posted by: Elisabeth at March 27, 2009 10:47 AM

Cute!!

Posted by: Samantha at March 27, 2009 11:00 AM

OOOOh, can't wait for more Twirly Girl moments! I miss our daughter's girly-girl years. They go from dresses and skirts to ripped jeans and t's too quick.

The upside is when the High School offers free Ballroom Dancing classes -- with boys! Enjoy these years, and knit on.

Posted by: LizAndrsn at March 27, 2009 11:11 AM

I made this pattern for both my daughters two summers ago and they're still wearing them! I used Mission Falls 1824 cotton, which is incredibly durable.

I also made the Monica tank top (knitty.com/ISSUEspring07/PATTmonica.html) which is another pattern by Christine, in matching colors to go with the skirts. It's a great (and very twirly) outfit.

Posted by: Sharon Hurlbut at March 27, 2009 12:08 PM

SILLY?! Did he really refer to a knitted item as "silly"?! Well, actually, a knitted willie warmer is pretty silly--but not a cute little girl skirt!

Posted by: Suzanne (Yarnhog) at March 27, 2009 1:03 PM

I too own the book and made 2-3 of their adorable patterns. I think the confusion lies in the fact that there is a long 3-4 tiered skirt in the book, but it's not the same. It's long & may have one more tier and is not as twirly/frilly/flared.

Posted by: Nartian at March 27, 2009 1:20 PM

Skirties are *so* much fun. Keep knitting them ;) You can tell the hubby that wool skirties are common parts of some little girl's wardrobes--they serve as wool cloth diaper covers in ours! Here is my favorite, a gift from a friend, on my little girl last summer.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3016/2618133620_d51c15b552_o.jpg

Posted by: Anita at March 27, 2009 1:21 PM

Wee One will look really cute in that. Girls gotta twirl!!! I used to love to make my skirts twirl and whirl around when I was little!!! And if I had a twirly skirt right now, I would make it twirl...

Posted by: Barbara D. at March 27, 2009 3:10 PM

I love my own knitted skirt, even though I need to redo the waist band (tighten the elastic at the very least). It is comfy and looks good and isn't saggy or weird after being worn all day. I think the knitted skirt looks great on wee on and the new one should be terrific as well!

Posted by: Seanna Lea at March 27, 2009 4:23 PM

A question about Cotton Fleece. I'm unfamiliar with it, how is it different than other cotton yarns. Do you like it better/worse?

Posted by: PogKnits at March 27, 2009 4:45 PM

The skirts are both totally cute! Wee One looks like such a little lady. Can't wait to see how this second one turns out.

Posted by: Melissa at March 28, 2009 12:17 AM

This looks perfect for commuter knitting.

Posted by: Orli at April 1, 2009 2:39 AM

So Cute! I would LOVE to make this -- i see you're doing it in the round, which i would prefer, but the Ravelry instructions say there is a front and a back.... are you able to provide the mods you used? (i don't have the book!)

thx!

Posted by: Katie at April 2, 2009 10:48 AM