The Design

“Soft & sturdy.”

Whether you knit it short and sweet or long and lean, the Ribbed Pencil Skirt is a wardrobe staple. This simple skirt is pressed out from hip to hemline for a smooth fit that skims the hips without clinging. Comprised of two rectangles knit flat and then seamed together, it’s easy to customize this skirt for yourself.

Rowan Alpaca Soft DK—a DK-weight blend of merino and alpaca—creates a Ribbed Pencil Skirt that’s soft, yet sturdy. Four-plied with a snug spin, Alpaca Soft DK is lightweight, yet warm and bouncy. The firm, springy fabric has great stitch definition—perfect for ribbing and perfect for a skirt!

The Details

FINISHED SIZES
Finished hip (actual measurement after seaming):
32 (34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52)";
81 (86, 91, 97, 102, 107, 112, 117, 122, 127, 132)cm.

19" LENGTH VERSION (shown):
5 (5, 5, 5, 6, 6, 6, 6, 7, 7, 7) skeins Rowan Alpaca Soft DK (137 yds/125m each); shown in color 216, Simply Black.
Sample shown in size 40"/102cm hip.

CUSTOM LENGTH:
Add or subtract 32 (34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52) yds; 29 (31, 33, 35, 37, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48)m for each 1"/2.5cm of adjusted length.

NEEDLES & NOTIONS (both versions)
US 4 (3.5mm) needles, or size to obtain gauge.
US 2 (2.75-3mm), or 2 sizes smaller than gauge size.
Locking stitch marker.
Blocking wires and t-pins (optional but recommended).
¾" wide non-roll elastic (waist measurement + 2"); needle and thread.

GAUGE
24 sts/30 rows = 4"/10cm on larger needles in K2/P2 ribbing, blocked.

KNITTER'S NOTES
Don't skip the swatching step with this one. A firm, yet drapey fabric makes all the difference to a successful project—a skirt you'll reach for again and again. We recommend a six inch by six inch swatch for this skirt. Be sure to wet block and steam press your swatch -- you want the correct gauge and structure so your skirt will keep its shape and your ribs will stay pressed open. Continue to check your gauge throughout your project knitting.

To choose your size, measure around the fullest part of your hips and use this number for your finished measurement. If necessary, round up, not down--the skirt should just skim your hips without stretching. If you'd prefer a little more ease, choose the next size up.

The length of the split is completely customizable. Ours hits just a couple of inches above the knee, but it might be helpful to do the following: take both blocked pieces of fabric. Complete waistband steps and insert elastic. Then try on your skirt, seeing where it hits on your hips and waist. Use safety pins along side seams to measure length of slit you like, then seam! This will allow you to determine both length of elastic and slit.

Note: Our sample knitter's row gauge came in a bit smaller than our pattern calls for, and we've adapted yarn and yardage quantities accordingly. Smaller row gauge means you are using more yarn, so as always, order an additional skein in the same dye lot if you want to be sure you have enough.