My Knitted Celtic Skirt

in #hive-1279113 years ago

Once upon a time - a long, long LONG time ago...I started knitting a Celtic knotwork skirt that was inspired by a photo I found on Pinterest. Gosh Pinterest is terrible that way. Beautiful skirt, looked EVERYWHERE for a pattern for it, couldn't find one anywhere in English. Found a few references to it in other languages on various websites, but it was being kept a well guarded secret it seemed.

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This skirt was started for a special occasion that never happened, but I made it my mission at the start of this year to finish all of my half started (half finished) knitting projects and this was the last one that has been sitting dormant. Kings and Queens have come and gone while this has been waiting for me to finish it - ok not quite THAT long but you get the idea.

I can't convey much about knitting this as it wasn't knitted from a pattern and I knitted it top down so the waistband and almost three quarters of the skirt I didn't write down, I did it as I went hahahaha. It became problematic when I needed to end the plaitwork because I didn't want it to reach all the way to the bottom of the skirt but I also wanted the ends to look like roots, so they were all finished unevenly. The last part I simply had to increase each segment equally as I knitted to give the skirt the flair effect which turned out much better than I anticipated. I added a small ruffle at the bottom by increasing 5 or 6 stiches in each segment every second row for 4 rows. I didn't want a massive ruffle, just a subtle one to give it an extra bit of flair.

Winter is still deciding when it's going to arrive here, it's been testing the water every now and again but hasn't settled yet so I think it will be a while before I'll be able to wear it comfortably. Considering I've never knitted a full length skirt before, this turned out pretty well.

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What I used:

Double Knit economical wool called 'Charity' in Silver Grey
4mm circular needles

(I really dislike knitting with circular needles but I needed the length for this skirt)

Cable needle

(if you don't have a cable needle I've cut a wooden skewer shorter and sanded it smooth with waterpaper or sandpaper and it's worked perfectly)

This project took way too long to complete and I'm not sure if I would knit another full length skirt again but it feels SO good to have now emptied out my knitting bag. Now I can start accummulating all sorts of new knitting projects again.


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A lovely skirt although, I can't knit so my evaluation is meaningless in the grand scheme of it. Still, I think it would have made a nice special occasion skirt. Maybe that occasion may still happen one day.

What's not special is my vote value but you have it all the same.

Becca 💗

Hi Becca

Thank you so much for having a look, knitting is therapeutic but I know it's not for everyone. I think you and I have soaking in the tub therapy in common though 😄! I enjoyed that post although wanted to kick the wolfwhistling douchebag in the nads for you!

Don't worry too much about your vote value, it will get there.

Have a great weekend and be safe 🌷

Cheers, Andy

Knitting in the bath is apparently a thing in some circles. 🙃

Maybe we'll do a fun girls weekend of kicking wolfwhistling idiots in the head and nads and bath knitting.

Have a nice weekend @andrastia.

Becca 💗

Hahaha knitting in the bath - that could possibly catch on 🤣

Gosh I could really do with a girls weekend! If you check in the next day or so, my next post will probably explain why a good day of head and nads kicking in I think would be very therapeutic for me.

Anyhow, I hope you are having a superb long weekend.

See you around
Andy

I could really do with a girls weekend!

And I. A collaboration?

Very cool!

I don't knit, but I've been trying to find 100% wool socks in this area for a bit of a vintage feel for my feet, but they've been extremely difficult to find and obtain. I did find one pair on Etsy from Ireland, and they are comfortable...but can't find anything local or nearby. It's a comfy clothing item, however

Hello @sagesigma

Thanks so much for the message. I must admit I'm quite chuffed with the end result.

I'm glad you were able to find them, these days finding anything knitted out of pure wool is quite rare. If I could suggest something it would be to find out if there is a knitting guild in your area and then get someone in it to knit them to your specs so like made to order. I think knitting is a dying art in some places, I love it though.

Have a wonderful day 😃

This really beautiful thanks for sharing

Thank you so much @smilestitches I appreciate your kind words.

wht a lot of hard work but definitely worth it. Looks lovely.

Thank you @purplesinger I can't wait to wear it out for the first time. It definitely was a lot of work, feels good to have finally finished it.

Have a lovely end to the week.

Girl in boots. Enough said.

Lol, I take it you approve.

You think?

The gown fits you most. Thanks for sharing

Thanks @apunawu

I think it worked out pretty well.
Have a great weekend.

This is lovely! I don't knit, but my grandma did and I can just imagine the time and effort that went into it.

Hi GoldenOakFarm

Thanks so much for the kind words. It did take a long time but I reckon it was worth the effort in the end. I remember you mentioning your Gran knitting.

I hope you are going to have a lovely weekend and get lots done, I always enjoy reading up on your projects.

I love this skirt! I was just talking about how I want to make me a maxi skirt for the first time this Summer (of course only it will be sewing with fabric but the style will be the same). You did an amazing job with no pattern! I’m glad you got around to finishing this.

You just gave me an idea for another challenge we should do…to grab a WIP and finish it 😄! I know we all have many of those resting somewhere in a closet or basement lol.

When I do learn how to knit cable knitting is definitely on my list.

Thanks for sharing this gorgeous work ~

Hi Crosheille

Thank you so much for your thoughtful message. Skirts are fun to sew, I haven't made one for years though so I'm probably rusty. I'm keen to see yours when it's complete.

I think a Work In Progress challenge would be excellent! I'm sure everyone has at least one pottering around that they can showcase. I am now in the process of choosing my next project, I am thinking of more pullovers, so will probably go with those through winter. They'll get completed around 2026 judging by my current projection hahahaha.

Cable knitting is really fun, you'll love it and it's far easier than it looks once you get to know the stitches.

Always a pleasure to contribute to your community, many thanks for having me!

🐾 Andy

Hahaha I literally laughed out loud when you said 2026 🤣🤣🤣! We gotta be realistic right?!! 😂

Awesome, we'll keep that idea for the books because I too think it would be a good and motivating challenge for everyone. Sometimes it's easier finishing things when you can do it along with a group. 😃

Oh my goodness, now I’m even more excited to learn cable knitting. I think during the Summer when I take a break from teaching I’ll be able to grab my knitting needles again.

Aww great, thank you. It’s so nice to know you feel that way. It’s really a pleasure having you here and I hope you keep on sharing ~ 😘

Wonderful skirt @andrastia! Patterns like cookbook recipes are for inspiration anymore for me. I've had too many patterns end up either not making sense (could be the editor's error) or the writer of the pattern didn't know how to decrease the pattern so fudged the final rows. (Maybe I should write about those experiences!!) Good For YOU to not give up and finishing your lovely skirt.