ConnieLene – KnitDesigner

I have created 4 different skirts using hyperbolic plane increases so far.

What is that you say? – All the increases for a skirt created using the Hyperbolic plane method are carried out after knitting exactly the same number of stitches continuously for the entire skirt.

One of my skirts had an increase at 80 stitches and another at 60 stitches. My skirts are knitted in the round and the increases are always at the same position for the whole skirt, no matter what. Sixty stitches apart makes a marvellous floaty, flirty skirt.

I use a stitch marker at every increase and remove as I knit to it each and every time.

Cast on for your waistband which should be knitted in a circular fashion. So far mine are all knitted with a row or two of yarn over holes so that a ribbon or elastic or even an I-cord belt or tie can be used.

Then I decide on the number of stitches between increases. The larger the number of stitches between increases the less full the skirt will be. You will decide on the rate of increases depending on the yarn, the wearer and the purpose of this skirt.

For Example – every 60 stitches.

Complete the waist band, change from rib or whatever construction you have decided for the waistband and continue in stocking stitch.

Knit 60, PM, increase a stitch
knit 60, PM, increase a stitch

If your waistband had 120 stitches then you would increase 2 stitches on the first row. Continue to increase after every 60 stitches until the skirt is the right length for your proposed wearer. You will be sitting there counting from 1 to 60, PM, increasing a stitch, count to 60 again etc.

If you are interrupted in your counting simply count again from the last marker and you will never lose your position for the increases. Always remove the marker when you get to it and reposition it again when you have knitted your next 60 stitches. There will be times when you have an increase directly above an increase for a previous row. Still do it – the increase I mean, it will work, and it doesn’t look wrong in the shaping of the skirt.

The end result is elegant, or flirty, or cheeky depending on the number of stitches between the increases and the yarn you have chosen.

There is another great thing about knitting a skirt this way – you could add to the length if you ever need to. So if you knit it for a child, as she grows the skirt can grow with her. If you knit it for an adult – they may change the length simply because fashion changes.

Knitted skirts can seat – but because this skirt doesn’t have a front or back or sides dictated by the increases – this skirt can be turned to protect one from that drama.

Link to Wool On Gallery 2010 and my skirt is in there.