Knitting Lingerie Style-Along

Fit-n-Flare Some More!

 

The last Fit-n-Flare was so much fun, I decided to take the plunge and make one in the recommended yarn --- Diakeito Diarufran.

The Diarufran is beautiful and just wonderful to work with (especially after the denim cotton that kept staining my hands blue). It's extremely spongy, and makes a surprisingly lightweight fabric. To make the 32" size I bought 7 balls rather than the 8 indicated in the book since the yardage per ball seemed generous (160+ yds/40 grams). I ended up using about 4.75 balls. I worked the main portion of the skirt about one inch shorter, eliminated five set of increases at the bottom, and did the drawstring in another yarn (RYC Silk Wool DK), all of which would save some yarn. My guess is that to make the skirt to pattern dimensions, I would have used 6 balls. Obviously, your mileage may vary, but if you were thinking of using this yarn and were discouraged by the price, you might be able to get away with buying a little less of it. I ended up ordering one more ball from Kathee so that I could supplement the leftovers to make a tank.

This skirt has a slightly less drapey feel than the denim one, probably due to the yarn and also the fact that I worked it at about 5 st/inch. But I love the colors and think it'll be nice and cozy for the fall.

Fit-n-Flare - Done!

My Fit-n-Flare is done! And, as a bonus, I love it!

I made the somewhat questionable decision of making the trumpet skirt in Plymouth Blu Jeans, a denim cotton yarn. I purchased the yarn four years ago for my first major knitting project, a hoodie cardigan, completely lost interest, and had been feeling mild guilt ever since. I had been thinking about repurposing the yarn for a knitted skirt ever since I saw Eunny's several months ago. I figured I'd give the pattern a shot, and if the result didn't really flatter me, at least my oldest WIP would be off my back.

Adjustments/notes:

• The Blu Jeans works at a slightly smaller gauge, so I compensated by knitting one size up.
  
• I eliminated five sets of increases to allow for a slightly shorter length (also trying to take into account the nebulous shrinkage factor with the yarn) since I'm not quite 5' 4".
  
• I misread the instructions for the waistband and ended up working a row of eyelets on the front instead of just the one eyelet that I think the pattern indicates, but it doesn't really bother me. (I misread the K2tog, YO, continue to end as "Repeat K2tog, YO to end".)
• I used the Bond Embellish-Knit I-cord maker to make the drawstring because the thought of kniting nearly four feet of something 4 stitches wide made me want to poke out my own eyes.
  
• The skirt came out a little wider than I intended, so I reinforced the entire waistband with elastic thread to cinch it in a little.

The skirt is drapey, "swishy", and just fun to wear. I think the cotton works well for a summer skirt, and it isn't too heavy (instead of working the 5.5-6 st/inch recommended for the yarn, I got about 5 st/inch). I think I used about 8 or 9 balls (hard to tell, since most of it was in pieces frogged from the sweater). Working through the 400+ st rounds at the bottom of the skirt, I really doubted that I would knit the pattern again, but I'm so delighted with the finished product that I went online and splurged on the Diarufuran used in the book to make another one that's more colorful and interesting. I can't wait to get started on another one!

 

First project

I love the trumpet skirt, but I don't know what kind of yarn to sub.  I've been cautioned on knitted skirts before, so I am wary of making an investment into yarn that might not hold up.  Anyone making this, please post lots of progress pictures.  I have ordered the yarn for the fishnet knee-highs, I am unoriginal so I am used the recommended yarn and colour.  I am also probably going to get the Cascade Sierra in Eggplant for the shaped lace tee.

yarn choices for Fit and Flare

These are the two color ways that I am consindering for the skirt.

They are lornas lace worsted weight.   Love to hear anyone's opinion:)

fit and flare

I am definitely going to start with fit and flare trumpet skirt!!  It looks so hot and sexy.