I have fond memories of a linen knit skirt I purchased in Soho, NY way back when…(in the 70’s maybe?) This version is designed to remember a favorite garment and celebrate a new yarn.

Coastal yarn lends the perfect swing and drape to this lacey skirt. It also celebrates my friend Lorilee Beltman’s Vertically Stranded Colorwork technique.

I remember my first business trip to NYC in the late 70’s. One day, I found myself shopping along the streets in Soho. Tucked between two much larger stores was this tiny store of hand knit and crocheted garments with a definite boho vibe. I walked out with a skirt that fit my heart to a “T” but not my professional wardrobe. The skirt is long-lost from my wardrobe but not my memory.

When putting together the collection of “At Home” designs for my new Coastal yarn, a new version of my “boho Soho” skirt seemed like a perfect fit. I wore this for the first time for my dad’s “at home” 90th birthday party this year.

I am also excited to do my first design using Lorilee Beltman’s Vertically Stranded Color Work. Of course this project would be easiest for anybody who’s taken one of her related classes. (Check our her DVD or www.craftdaily.com/courses/vertically-stranded-colorwork class.) But, I’ve tried to include all pertinent “how-to” information in this pattern.

The skirt is knit from the bottom up in a modified version of Vine Lace as seen in one of Barbara Walker’s Treasury books. The skirt has plenty of ease to give it some “swing” and to show off the drape of the Coastal yarn. The waistband has a strong, elastic waistband to hold it in place at home, or on a special date. (I am also excited to use JC Briar’s Stitch Maps (Stitchmaps.com) for my charts.)

Written for 7/8 sizes and 2 lengths, the easiest way to shorten either skirt is to remove one set of repeat rounds for any chart that has more than 1. To lengthen, just add a set of repeat rounds for any chart. Each set of repeat rounds is approximately 1” when knit to gauge.

Available in 7/8 sizes and 2 lengths, the skirt is knit in our newest “warm weather” yarn -- Coastal. Coastal has enough drape to give this skirt some “swing” regardless of the length.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS:
(Built in Ease: Actual Waist + 2”, Actual Hip + 4”; and, Width at hem is 11/2 times the Low Hip measurement. Measurements are approximate as this is an A-line skirt meant to “swing.”)
Waist: 26 (28, 30, 311/2, 33, 341/2, 361/2, 381/2)”
Low Hip: 381/2 (401/2, 421/2, 44, 451/2, 47, 49, 51)”
2 Lengths: Short is 24” from waist / Long is 33 - 34” from waist

YARN:
COASTAL yarn from Elemental Affects or Sincere Sheep
(50% Shaniko wool/25% Belgian flax/25% Mulberry Silk) 2 oz skeins/205 yards)
Main Color (Short): 5 (6, 6, 6, X, 6, 7, 7) skeins / Contrast Color (Short): 1 skein of Coastal
Main Color (Long): 9 (10, 11, 11, 11, 12, 13, 14) skeins / Contrast Color (Long): 2 skeins of Coastal