In my search to find a pattern for the perfect knitted ruffled skirt for my daughter, I didn’t find a lot of options.  I really wanted to make her a prairie skirt, something a little bohemian in style.  Although I am more of a “just follow the directions” type of knitter I considered trying to just create a pattern.  After all, I was left with only two choices: give up on the idea or write the pattern myself. 

I chose the latter.

Sizing:

You need to measure the lucky recipient.  The waist measurements are taken at the “belly button”.  The length is measured from the waist to the bottom of the calf muscle.  If you need to add or subtract length from the given sizes, calculate the amount you need to either add or subtract.  Divide this number by 3.  Add or subtract this amount from each of the three tiers. 

My daughter is quite tall and very thin for her height so I am used to knitting for her size and shape.  Therefore calculating sizes for children who do not have my daughter’s same body style has proved to be a challenge. Make sure you measure your child and make any needed adjustments.  (Did you catch that?  That’s my version of a disclaimer when it comes to sizing.)

If adjusting the waist, just make sure you have an even number of stitches.  Prior to changing the waist size too much keep in mind that the elastic will tighten up the waist a bit.

So what are the sizes?

Size            Waist                Length

2T            20 inches              14 inches

3T            20.5 inches          15 inches

4T            21 inches              16 inches

5T            21.5 inches           17 inches

6               22 inches              18 inches

6X            22.5 inches          19 inches

Notation for sizes: 2T (3T, 4T, 5T, 6, 6X)

Gauge:

5 Stitches = 1 inch

Supply List:

DK Weight yarn in three different colors (Butterfly Mercerized Cotton was used for the skirt in the photo).

   

    Main Color (MC):  250 (250, 250, 350, 350, 400) yards
    Color Change 1 (CC1): 250 (250, 250, 250, 300) yards
    Color Change 2 (CC2): 250 (250, 250, 250, 300) yards

US 6 to 7 (24”) circular knitting needle or size needed to obtain gauge.

Elastic (1/2 inch thickness) – 1 package

Tapestry needle for weaving in ends.

Sewing needle and thread (you can use yarn or even a sewing machine if you wish).

Instructions:

Cast on 100 (102, 106, 108, 110, 112) stitches using MC. Being careful not to twist, join stitches and begin to knit in the round in st st.

Continue in st st for 1 inch.

Next row K2tog, YO.  Repeat for entire round.  Knit in stockinette stitch for another 1 inch.

Fold knitting at the row of eyelets.  Use left needle to pick up stitch from cast on edge and place picked up stitch onto left needle.

Using right needle knit 2 together (1 stitch being the live stitch, 1 stitch being the stitch picked up from the cast on edge.

You are creating the casing for the elastic waistband.  Continue doing this same maneuver through the end of the round until 2 to 3 inches before the end of round.

Measure elastic for the recipient.  Pull elastic so that it is a little snug up against the belly. Cut elastic and thread elastic through entire casing. Keep a hold of one end of the elastic as you thread the other end through the casing. Pull elastic and bring the 2 ends together. Using sewing needle and thread, sew elastic ends together, slightly overlapping one on top of the other. Go back and forth over seaming many times to ensure that the join is secure.

Resume with sealing the elastic casing by using left hand needle to pick up stitch from cast on edge and then k2tog. Continue until the end of round and casing is completely closed.

Knit one more round of st st in MC.  Change to CC1.

Using CC1, knit in st st for 1 round. Next round: *knit 1, next stitch kfb.  *Repeat these 2 stitches until end of round.

Continue knitting in st st using CC1 until this block of color (measuring from the initial color change to CC1) measures 4 (4.5, 4.75, 5, 5.5, 5.75) inches.

Change to CC2 and knit one round in st st.    Next round: *knit 1, next stitch kfb.  *Repeat these 2 stitches until end of round.

Continue knitting in st st using CC2 until this block of color (measuring from the initial color change to CC2) measures 4 ( 4.5, 4.75, 5, 5.5, 5.75) inches.

Change to MC and knit one round in stockinette stitch.  Next round: *knit 1, next stitch kfb.  *Repeat these 2 stitches until end of round. 

Continue knitting in st st using MC until this block of color (measuring from the initial color change to MC) measures 4 (4.5, 4.75, 5, 5.5, 5.75) inches.

Begin knitting in garter stitch changing colors for each row and changing colors in the following order:  CC1, CC2, MC, CC1, CC2, MC.  Continue in this fashion until total length for the skirt from the top of the waistband to the bottom of the skirt measures 14 (15, 16, 17, 18, 19) inches.  Bind off last row.

Cut yarn and weave in all ends. Block using your preferred method.

Get the lucky recipient to try on her new prairie skirt.

Variations:

You can use a provisional cast on if you feel more comfortable using this method for picking up the stitches along the cast on edge. 

You can alternate 2 different colors instead of three.  Use MC for waistband, then CC1 for first tier, MC for tier 2, then CC1 for tier #3.