Jaywalker Skirt

I haven't knit a pair of socks in almost two years. My enjoyment of knitting clothes for my daughter Lydia has replaced my enthusiasm for knitting socks. Also, I'm bored knitting the same basic sock patterns, but too nervous to attempt more challenging patterns involving cables, yarn-overs, and intarsia using double-pointed needles.  But now, thanks to Ravelry, I've discovered a plethora of sock patterns that have piqued my interest in knitting socks again.

I decided to make Grumperina's Jaywalker pattern my first "challenging" pattern because the finished socks appear more complicated to knit than they actually are. In fact, it's actually quite similar to knitting a basic pair of socks. The first round is knit and the second round uses double decreasing (DD) and knitting through the front and back stitches (K-f/b) in order to increase and decrease stitches at various intervals throughout the round. The two rounds are repeated and eventually create an interesting zigzag pattern.

I purchased one skein of variegated Noro sock yarn at The Point in New York City to make the socks. I really enjoyed knitting the zigzag pattern. I loved seeing how it evolved using variegated yarn. Since it was such an easy pattern to remember, I worked on the socks while traveling to and from work.

As I was knitting, I started thinking about how the pattern would look if it were knit continuously in the round as a skirt for Lydia. I eventually put the socks to the side and decided to try my luck instead at a Jaywalker skirt for Lydia. I used a stash of red Louet Gem Sport Weight yarn for the skirt. I picked this yarn because it is machine washable and had been sitting in my yarn basket for over a year.

Since the skirt was an experiment I decided to cast on 128 stitches using size 0 circular needles. I worked straight in K2, P2 for 1". I then purled all the stitches on the following row. This purl row formed a turning ridge for the waistband elastic casing that would be sewn in later.  I placed a marker at the end of the next row and joined in the round. I knit another K2, P2 for 1".

At this point, I started the Jaywalker zigzag pattern.  I knit all the stitches for Round 1.  For Round 2, since I cast on more stitches than required for the sock pattern, I knit 13 stitches between the K-f/b and the DD. As a result, Round 2 looked like this -- K2, K-f/b, K13, DD, K13, K-f/b.  I repeated Round 2 four times around. 

About 2" from the K2, P2 ribbing, I switched to size 1 needles.  I continued increasing needle sizes every 1 1/2-to-2" in order to get the skirt to gradually widen to an A-line shape.  The last set of needles I used were a size 5. I cast off on Round 1.

I sewed the ribbing section down on the reverse side of the skirt.  I placed a 1" elastic band inside the waistband casing.   I blocked the sweater to measure 11" in length and 9" in width at the center-most point of the skirt.  I wound up using about 3/4 skein of yarn for the project.    

Overall, it is a lovely skirt and I am surprised at how nicely it turned out.  The main problem is that it is too small for Lydia in the waist.  I think it would have fit her when she was a year old, not now that she's almost two.  The next time I make the skirt I will cast on more stitches and make the ribbing at least 2" longer.  I had a difficult time getting the 1" elastic band inside the waistband casing.  In addition, I will use larger size needles immediately after working the ribbing section in order to widen the hip area of the skirt.

Comments

[LynnH]

What a lovely project! Think of the first one as a swatch, perhaps. Can you put straps on it and make it a flared tank, or is it too small for that also?

When you guess, you have hit and miss choices that happen, but look what you learned, and look how cute it is!!! Does Lydia have a friend who would wear and appreciate it, or will you be taking it out and starting again? I typically would find someone who loved it, myself.

Whatever happens to the skirt, I loved the story of your design process and I love the photo. Nice job.

[Angela Walters (Posy Moe)]

What a lovely skirt! I'm sure it would've looked adorable on her. She's a cutie, love her birthday pics. Keep those needles clicking!