Marian Skirt

Marian Skirt by Taiga Hilliard Designs

What Is Being Made

The Marian Skirt is a charming A-line skirt designed for young children, ranging from newborn through 9-10 years old. This knitted garment features a delicate lace and ribbing design that creates the visual impression of intricate cables while remaining accessible to advanced knitters. The skirt is knit entirely in the round, offering a seamless construction that eliminates the need for seaming. The design includes a simple knitted hem at the waist and provides flexible finishing options with either elastic or ribbon for closure and comfort.

Techniques Used

The Marian Skirt employs several key knitting techniques to achieve its sophisticated appearance. The garment is constructed using circular knitting, worked entirely in the round from the waist down, which streamlines construction and creates a seamless fit. The design features charted lace work, which is provided in both charted and written-out formats to accommodate different knitter preferences. The lace pattern is strategically combined with ribbing to create visual depth and structure. The skirt's length is easily adjustable, allowing customization for different sizes and individual preferences. The waist closure employs a simple knitted hem that can be finished with either elastic or ribbon, eliminating the need for additional sewing beyond the optional elastic or ribbon insertion.

Stitches Used

The pattern utilizes fundamental knitting stitches combined with lace techniques. Key stitches include:

• Knit (K) – the basic stitch forming the foundation of the fabric
• Purl (P) – used in ribbing sections to create texture and structure
• Yarn Over (YO) – creates the decorative openings characteristic of lace patterns
• Slip, Slip, Knit (SSK) – a left-leaning decrease used in lace work to balance yarn overs and maintain stitch count

These stitches combine to create the signature lace and ribbing design that appears more complex than its actual construction, making it an excellent project for advancing knitting skills.

Materials and Specifications

The Marian Skirt is designed to work with Sport, DK, or worsted weight yarn, offering flexibility in yarn selection. The pattern was originally worked in Be Sweet Cotton Candy yarn in the Kingfisher colorway (#591), though any yarn in the appropriate weight range will produce successful results. Knitters should use US size 7 (4.50 mm) needles, or adjust needle size as needed to achieve the specified gauge of 18.0 stitches and 26 rows per 4 inches. Circular needles are required for the in-the-round construction.

Yardage requirements vary by size, ranging from 120 yards for newborn up to 700 yards for the 9-10 years size, allowing knitters to select appropriate yarn quantities based on the desired finished size. The pattern includes ten size options spanning from newborn through 9-10 years, with waist measurements from 14 inches to 25 inches. Optional finishing materials include 19 to 28 inches of elastic or 24 to 36 inches of ribbon for the waistband closure, depending on size and preferred finishing method.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as advanced, reflecting the lace work and charted pattern reading required. While the individual stitches are fundamental, the combination of circular knitting, lace techniques, and pattern interpretation makes this project suitable for experienced knitters seeking to refine their skills.