LoftyFiber Ashley Skirt Knitting Pattern

LoftyFiber Ashley Knitted Linen Skirt

What Is Being Made

The Ashley is a versatile pleated skirt pattern available in two lengths: a short skirt measuring 14 inches in length and a knee-length skirt measuring 24 inches in length. Both versions feature a fitted waistband with finished sizes of 33, 36, or 39 inches. The design is described as "short and sassy or knee-length elegance," offering knitters a choice between a playful shorter silhouette or a more sophisticated longer style. The skirt is constructed with a structured waistband that uses elastic for comfort and fit.

Yarn and Materials

This pattern uses Euroflax 100% Wet Spun Linen in Fine/Sport Weight. The yarn comes in 100-gram skeins with 270 yards (246 meters) per skein. For the short skirt, you will need 2 skeins of Color A and 1 skein each of Colors B, C, and D. For the knee-length skirt, requirements increase to 3 skeins of Color A and 2 skeins each of Colors B, C, and D. The pattern allows for customization using only 2 colors if desired, requiring the same total yardage of Color A. Additional materials include 1 inch wide elastic for the waistband and circular needles in three sizes: 2.5 mm (60 cm), 3.0 mm (60 or 80 cm), and 3.75 mm (60 cm).

Knitting Techniques

The Ashley skirt employs several advanced knitting techniques to create its distinctive pleated structure. The garment is worked flat from side to side rather than in the round, which allows for the strategic placement of pleats throughout the design. The primary technique used to form these pleats is short-row shaping, which involves turning the work before completing a full row to create depth and dimension in the fabric. Double wrapped stitches are used in conjunction with short-rows to ensure clean transitions and prevent holes at the turning points. This combination of techniques creates the structured pleats that define the skirt's silhouette.

Stitches and Stitch Details

The pattern is primarily worked in stockinette stitch, which creates a smooth, classic fabric suitable for linen. The gauge is 20 stitches and 32 rows over 4 inches when worked on 3.0 mm needles in stockinette stitch. Key abbreviations used in the pattern include K (knit), P (purl), and K2tog (knit 2 together). The short-row technique involves specific wrapped stitch methods: slipping stitches purlwise with yarn positioned appropriately, wrapping yarn around slipped stitches, and later working these wrapped stitches together with their base stitches to close any gaps and maintain fabric integrity.

Stripe Pattern

The Ashley features a striped color pattern using multiple colors of Euroflax linen. The pattern incorporates Color A as the primary yarn with Colors B, C, and D creating stripes throughout the design. This multi-color approach adds visual interest and allows for creative customization based on color selection and personal preference.

Construction Method

The skirt uses a seamed construction approach, with pieces knit separately and then joined together. The side-to-side knitting method combined with short-row shaping creates the pleated details that are integral to the garment's design. The waistband is finished with elastic for a comfortable, secure fit that maintains the skirt's shape through wear and washing.

Important Care Note

Because this pattern uses 100% wet spun linen, the pattern instructions emphasize that you must machine wash and dry a gauge swatch before measuring gauge. This is critical for linen, as the fiber behaves differently before and after washing, and accurate gauge is essential for proper fit in the finished garment.