Summershine Skirt
knitting pattern

Cool, summery skirts knit in plant-based fibers are a traveler’s dream—light and packable, wrinkles diappear quickly, and they wash/dry in a snap. Not to mention versatility; a cool skirt goes from breakfast to beach to dinner and theater, combining with tops and accessories to suit any event. This shimmery beauty in ten sizes (XS to L and 1X to 6X) is no exception; with top-down construction, elastic waist, and a fun-to-knit stitch pattern, it’s easy to knit and wear. We love it so much we’re knitting one in wool for fall and winter! Designed to be paired with the Summershine Top as a 2-piece dress option.

Samples shown here: size XS knit in Hempshaugh 2.0 Fingering, color Buckwheat and Fresh DK, color Vanilla (shown with Summershine Top in Fresh Sport).

Matching Motif: Summershine Top

Suggested Yarns: 
Fresh DK, Hempshaugh 2.0, Seasons Fingering, The G.O.A.T. Fingering, Modern Deco Sport, Finn Dandy 2-ply Sport, Shetlandia Sport, Jacob’s Dream Sport, Milkshake Sport, Masham Sport, or any heavy fingering/light sport weight yarn that knits to pattern gauge
  
Substituting yarn and/or needles may result in an overall variation in size, drape, or yardage requirement

Finished Size:
Waist: 28(31.5, 35, 38.5, 42, 45.5, 49, 52.5, 56, 59.5) inches / 71(80, 89, 98, 106.5, 115.5, 124.5, 133.5, 142, 151) cm in circumference around waist (without elastic)
Low Hip: 36(40.5, 45, 49.5, 54, 58.5, 63, 67.5, 72, 76.5) inches / 91.5(103, 114.5, 125.5, 137, 149, 160, 171.5, 183, 194.5) cm around the low hip, to fit hip with 2 to 5 inches / 5 to 12.5 cm of ease 
Length from top of waist to hem: 21 inches / 53.5 cm
Note: choose a size with a close fit around the hip area; elastic waist size is adjustable.

Yarn Requirements:
700(790, 875, 965, 1050, 1140, 1225, 1315, 1400, 1490) yards / 640(725, 800, 885, 960, 1045, 1120, 1205, 1280, 1365) meters in Fresh DK

Notions:
1-inch non-roll elastic, cut to waist measurement OR 2 yds / 1.75 m of 1/2-inch twill tape for drawstring finish

Gauge:
21 sts and 32 rows = 4 inches / 10 cm in stockinette stitch (knit flat, washed and air-dried)
20 sts and 30 rows = 4 inches / 10 cm in patterned panel (finished fabric knit in the round, washed and blocked)

Needles:
size 6US (4.0 mm) circular needle for upper skirt (or size to obtain correct gauge)
size 7US (4.5 mm) circular needle for lower skirt (or .5 mm larger than gauge needle)
size 5US (3.75 mm) circular needle for top casing (or .25 mm smaller than gauge needle)
Cable needle several sizes smaller than gauge needle
Note: needle size required to achieve gauge in plant fiber blends vs wool may vary considerably; always aim for correct gauge, regardless of needle size recommended. Needles in several lengths may be required, depending on skirt size.