Tricoturi p II

by Kira Dulaney

This skirt is both sexy and comfortable to wear. Knit in the round from the waistband down, it is quick to knit with minimal finishing. The decorative star patterns separating the panels are extrapolated from the star stitch border, and sneakily hide the increases for a smooth line. The yarn has the perfect combination of body and stretch so that it skims your curves and moves with you, without clinging or sagging. The slight a-line with flared hem will look good on a wide variety of figures.

model: Kira Dulaney

photos:Carolina Tello

SIZE
S[M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X, 4X] (shown in size M)

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Waist circumference: 27[31, 35, 39, 43, 47, 51] inches before elastic insertion Note: This skirt is designed to be worn 2-3 inches below natural waist. Hip circumference: 34[38, 42, 46, 50, 54, 58] inches Hem circumference: 55[59, 63, 67, 71, 75, 79] inches Length: 23.5[23.5, 23.5, 24, 24, 24, 24.5] inches

MATERIALS
Artfibers Zoe [25% viscose, 75% nylon; 208yd/190m per 100g cone]; color: #7; approx. 800[900, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400] yd/732[823, 915, 1006, 1098, 1189, 1280] meters Recommended needle size: 1 29-inch US #6/4mm circular needle 1 29-inch US #8/5mm circular needle [always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below -- every knitter's gauge is unique] Note: Larger sizes may prefer to use longer needles. 4 Stitch markers; be sure one marker is different from the others Tapestry needle Sewing needle and thread Large safety pin or bodkin 0.5-inch wide elastic, approx. 1[1, 1, 1.5, 1.5, 1.5, 1.5]yd/0.9[0.9, 0.9, 1.4, 1.4, 1.4, 1.4]m

GAUGE
20 sts/30 rows = 4 inches in stockinette st using larger needle

PATTERN NOTES
[Knitty's list of standard abbreviations and techniques can be found here]

Make Star: K5tog without dropping sts from left needle, yo, k same 5 sts together again without dropping from left needle, yo, k same 5 sts together again and drop from left needle. Make Star Increase: K4tog without dropping sts from left needle, yo, k same 4 sts together again without dropping from left needle, yo, k same 4 sts together again and drop from left needle. Group of 4 sts has been increased to 5 sts. Make Small Star: K3tog without dropping sts from left needle, yo, k same 3 sts together again and drop from left needle. Star Stitch (Worked in the round over a multiple of 4 sts): Round 1: K all sts. Round 2: [K1, make small star] to end. Round 3: K all sts. Round 4: [Make small star, k1] to end. Repeat these 4 rounds for Star Stitch.

DIRECTIONS

Waistband: Using smaller needle, CO 136[156, 176, 196, 216, 236, 256] sts, leaving a yarn tail approx. 12 inches long. Place marker (use marker which is different from others) and join to begin working in the round, being careful not to twist. K 4 rounds. P 1 round; this round forms turning ridge for waistband elastic casing. K 3 rounds. Fold work to WS along turning ridge so that CO edge is directly behind sts on needle. Next Round: [Insert tip of left needle into st of CO edge which is directly behind first st on needle, k this st together with first stitch on needle] to last 10 sts; k to end. This leaves an opening through which elastic will later be inserted. Shape Hips: Next Round: Using larger needle, [k34(39, 44, 49, 54, 59, 64), place marker] 3 times, k34[39, 44, 49, 54, 59, 64]. Continue to use larger needle throughout. K 3 rounds. Star Round: [K1, make star, k to 6 sts before next marker, make star, k1] 4 times. K 4 rounds. Star Increase Round: [K1, make star increase, k to 5 sts before next marker, make star increase, k1] 4 times. K 4 rounds. Repeat these 10 rounds 3 times more. 168[188, 208, 228, 248, 268, 288] sts; 42[47, 52, 57, 62, 67, 72] sts in each panel.

Shape Body of Skirt: [Work Star Round, k 4 rounds] 3 times. Work Star Increase Round. K 4 rounds. Repeat these 20 rounds 3 times more. 200[220, 240, 260, 280, 300, 320] sts; 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80] sts in each panel. Shape Flare: Work Star Increase Round. K 4 rounds. Repeat these 5 rounds 8[8, 8, 9, 9, 9, 10] times more. 272[292, 312, 340, 360, 380, 408] sts; 68[73, 78, 85, 90, 95, 102] sts in each panel. Work measures 22.5[22.5, 22.5, 23, 23, 23, 23.5] inches. Lower Border: Work 8 rounds in Star Stitch. Loosely BO all sts.

FINISHING
Use safety pin or bodkin to run elastic through waistband. Try on skirt and adjust elastic for a comfortable fit, overlapping ends and pinning in place. Ensure that elastic is not twisted. Trim elastic so that ends overlap approx. 1 inch, and sew securely. Use yarn tail from CO to sew casing closed. Steam hem of skirt to prevent rolling. If you used a yarn that insists on curling, work 1-2 rounds of single crochet around hem. Weave in ends.