Classic Elite Yarns Gannet Skirt Knitting Pattern

Classic Elite Yarns Gannet Skirt

What is Being Made

The Gannet is a seamless, bottom-up knit skirt designed to sit at the high hip, approximately 3 inches below the natural waistline. This downloadable knitting pattern offers multiple sizes and features a distinctive striped waistband with a lace element that creates a scalloped edge detail.

Construction Method

The Gannet skirt is worked seamlessly in the round from the bottom up, eliminating the need for seaming. This construction technique creates a continuous tube of fabric, which is ideal for skirt construction and ensures a smooth, professional finish. The seamless approach also allows for precise stitch counts and even fabric distribution throughout the garment.

Techniques Used

• Bottom-up construction: The skirt begins at the lower edge and progresses upward to the waistband, allowing knitters to easily adjust length by adding or removing rounds before the waistband shaping.
• Seamless, in-the-round knitting: Worked continuously on circular needles without requiring seaming, creating a polished finished garment.
• Lace technique: Incorporates yarn overs and decreases to create an openwork pattern in the waistband area.
• Colorwork: The waistband features a striped color sequence using multiple yarn colors in a planned progression.
• Shaping through decreases: Strategic decreases reduce stitch counts to shape the waistband, with size-specific decrease rounds that accommodate different garment sizes.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette stitch (St st): The main body of the skirt is worked in stockinette stitch, creating a smooth, classic fabric suitable for a versatile garment.
• 1x1 Ribbing: A knit-one, purl-one ribbing pattern forms the foundation of the scalloped waistband, providing elasticity and structure.
• Yarn overs (yo): Create openwork eyelets that contribute to the lace pattern in the waistband.
• Knit two together (k2tog): A right-leaning decrease used throughout the lace pattern and waistband shaping.
• Slip, slip, knit (ssk): A left-leaning decrease that pairs with k2tog decreases to create balanced lace motifs.
• Make one purl (m1p): An increase stitch used in the lace pattern to balance yarn overs.

Scalloped Ribs Pattern Detail

The waistband features a charted Scalloped Ribs pattern that spans 24 rounds. The pattern repeat begins at 16 stitches and decreases to a 14-stitch repeat by round 21. The scalloped effect is created through the combination of ribbing, yarn overs, and decreases worked in a specific color sequence: rounds 1–2 in Color A, rounds 3–6 in Color B, rounds 7–12 in Color C, and rounds 13–24 in the main color (MC). This creates a visually striking striped waistband with textured scalloped edges.

Materials

The Gannet pattern is designed to be worked with yarn in multiple colors: Color A, Color B, Color C, and a main color (MC). The pattern is worked on circular needles appropriate for the yarn weight and cast-on stitch count. Cast-on numbers vary by size, ranging from 256 stitches for the smallest size to 320 stitches for the largest size. Knitters are advised to purchase extra yarn in the main color if planning to lengthen the skirt beyond the standard length.

Sizing and Customization

The pattern provides multiple size options with corresponding stitch counts and size-specific decrease rounds for waistband shaping. The skirt length is customizable; knitters work stockinette stitch until the piece measures 1 inch to 20 inches from the cast-on edge, or 3 inches less than the desired finished length. This flexibility allows for personalized fit and length adjustments based on individual preferences.

Design Origin

The Gannet pattern was originally published in Autumn Ridge 1710B, a printed collection of designs by Classic Elite Yarns. The pattern was designed by Susan Mills and is available as a downloadable PDF from Classic Elite Yarns.