What you'll need
| Size: | XS | S | M | L | XL | XXL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hip circumference, in: | 34 | 37.5 | 41 | 44.5 | 48 | 51.5 |
| Hip circumference, cm: | 87 | 95 | 104 | 113 | 122 | 131 |
Dale of Norway Heilo -
|
14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 |
Cascade Yarns 220 Sport
Olive Heather (9448)
|
4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
Cascade Yarns 220 Sport
Concord Grape (9570)
|
1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Cascade Yarns 220 Sport
Burgundy (2401)
|
1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Cascade Yarns 220 Sport
Ruby (9404)
|
1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Cascade Yarns 220 Sport
Christmas Red (8895)
|
1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Cascade Yarns 220 Sport
Brown (8686)
|
1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Cascade Yarns 220 Sport
Camel (8622)
|
1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Cascade Yarns 220 Sport
Straw (4010)
|
1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Cascade Yarns 220 Sport
Turtle (2452)
|
1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Cascade Yarns 220 Sport
Robin Egg Blue (8905)
|
1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Product Description
A new spin on traditional stripes in a fun flirty skirt. The fair isle pattern creates a lovely firm texture, comfortable without any sagging.
- Worked from the top down so you can decide for yourself how long you'd like it
The pattern calls for 5-7 balls of MC and 1 ball each of nine other colors.
Many of the original colors have been discontinued. I include suggestions for swapping, but encourage you to go wild and choose your own–bust that stash!
Fair Isle Skirt by Mary Jane Mucklestone
Project Overview
The Fair Isle Skirt is an intermediate-level knitting project that reimagines traditional Fair Isle patterning in a contemporary skirt design. This downloadable PDF pattern encourages creative color experimentation by inviting knitters to use yarns from their personal stash rather than requiring a specific pre-planned colorway. The finished skirt features a fitted waistband, gently flared hip, and a classic knee-length silhouette.
What Is Being Made
This is a women's knitted skirt available in six sizes ranging from XS to XXL. The skirt measures 18.5 inches (47 cm) in length from the bottom of the waistband to the lower edge. Hip circumference ranges from 34 inches (87 cm) in the smallest size to 51.5 inches (131 cm) in the largest size, with waist circumference options from 23 inches (58.5 cm) to 40.5 inches (103 cm). The garment is designed to be worn with approximately 8 inches (20.5 cm) of positive ease at the hip.
Knitting Techniques
This pattern employs Fair Isle colorwork, a traditional stranded knitting technique where multiple colors are carried across the back of the fabric to create intricate geometric patterns. The skirt construction uses circular needles throughout, allowing for seamless knitting in the round. The pattern includes a fitted ribbed waistband worked on smaller needles to create elasticity and structure at the top of the garment, with the main skirt body worked on larger needles to accommodate the Fair Isle colorwork and achieve proper gauge.
Stitches and Stitch Techniques
- Ribbing: The waistband is worked in a knit-purl rib pattern to provide stretch and a secure fit at the waist
- Stockinette Stitch: The base stitch structure throughout the skirt body
- Fair Isle Colorwork: Two-color stranded knitting creates the patterned sections, with yarn colors carried along the inside of the fabric
- Circular Knitting: Seamless construction worked in continuous rounds using circular needles
Yarn and Materials
The pattern calls for Dale of Norway Heilo yarn, which is 100% wool with a yardage of 109 yards (100 meters) per 50-gram ball. The recommended yarn weight is DK or Sport, making this an ideal project for those working with lighter-weight yarns. The original pattern specifies a main color (MC) in dark heather green (#7081), requiring 5 to 7 balls depending on size, with single balls each of purple (#4845), dark red (#4246), red (#4137), brick (#3727), brown (#3172), caramel (#3046), gold (#9834), light green (#9835), and light blue (#5813) for the Fair Isle pattern. The pattern acknowledges that many of these Dale of Norway colors have been discontinued and encourages knitters to substitute colors from their own yarn stash, making this an excellent stash-busting project.
Needles and Tools
The skirt requires two sizes of circular needles. The waistband is worked on US 3 (3.25 mm) 24-inch (60 cm) circular needles to create a snug, elastic ribbed edge. The main skirt body is worked on US 5 (3.75 mm) 24-inch (60 cm) circular needles to accommodate the Fair Isle colorwork and achieve the correct gauge. Knitters are advised to adjust needle size as needed to obtain proper gauge. Additional notions include a stitch marker for tracking the beginning of rounds.
Difficulty Level
This pattern is rated as intermediate difficulty, making it suitable for knitters with prior experience in basic techniques who are ready to tackle Fair Isle colorwork. Familiarity with circular needle knitting and stranded colorwork is beneficial for successful completion of this project.
```Specifications
| Brand: | Independent Designer |
| Yarn Weight: | DK | Light Worsted, Sport |
| Featured Products: | Cascade Yarns 220 Sport |
| Pages: | 4 |
| Designer: | Mary Jane Mucklestone |
| Craft: | Knitting |
| Format: | Downloadable PDF |
| Languages: | English |
| Notes: | 3-4 yd (3-4 m) smooth waste yarn, 1yd (1m) non-rolling black waistband elastic, safety pin, sharp-point sewing needle & matching thread for sewing |
| Number of Patterns: | 1 |
| Skill Level: | Intermediate |
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