It Says "Gin and Tonic."

The last time I wore this tank top was when I attended a Susan B. Komen knitting in public function to benefit Breast Cancer research. While scads of knitters gathered behind us to perform Yoga for Knitters in the stands, I got in line for some free Clover Knitting Needles in Size 17. When the guy behind the counter handed them over to me, he said: "So, which one is "Gin" and which one is "Tonic?"

Anyway, when I was a girl, whenever you talked about a skirt, the first thing you had to decide or disclose, was whether the skirt you were talking about was a "mini," a "midi," or a "maxi."

Wow, it sure sound's a heck of a lot like feminine hygiene to me, but the particular iteration I am wearing today is what I guess you could call a "midi."

I didn't veer from the pattern too much except for the bottom lace portion. It was designed so that the sides of the skirt are a little longer than the center portion, and although I decided that I didn't want to follow the pattern to the "T" until it was a little too late and maybe just a little bit noticeable, the skirt came out fine, anyway. I think I worked maybe three of the lace pattern repeats rather than what was called for, and if you look at the skirt head on, you will notice that there is a section in the center with bit more stockinette, but that is fine with me. I mean, heck, there are worse things in life, like possessing a third nipple, a penchant for eating dirt, or maybe a deep need to ask the people you visit to see inside their master bedroom closets.

And not to worry: I know a good duck and weave move that I can pull off in a nano-second's notice. Honestly, one look from you down toward the hem of this skirt and I'll get all Ninja-Knitter and tap dance or maybe do a sporty karate kick the likes of which will get you thinking that you encountered the next Shirley Maclaine or perhaps the next Shirley Temple with a Karate-like twist, and wearing a skirt that you can only hope to replicate or describe or sketch without hyperventalting because, really, it is that great.

Pattern & Yarn: Lovely Leaf Lace Skirt in Hemp for Knitting, Allhemp6, Pumpkin (I highly recommend it--note, it looks like kpixie.com is low on the pattern, but they'll get it back soon, I'm sure.) I knit the smallest size, and if you knit it, I would err on the smaller side of things because it does stretch but it isn't stretchy. It will block larger/wider if you need it to...just knit to the right length or slightly longer.

Needles & Yarn: U.S. Size 3, although the pattern calls for a 2.5mm (which is between a 2 and a 3 U.S.) I used just four hanks of HempforKnitting Allhemp6 in Pumpkin.

Mods: I did only a few repeats of the lace pattern until I began staggering it, so the sides dip a bit lower than the center. After a couple rounds of that, I completed the skirt on my own, decreasing to the final--and called for--number of stitches for the waist.

Comments

[maureen]

Now I want to knit a skirt. I will end up doing so, and it won't look as fabulous as yours. :(

Maybe I should name the girls at the same time. I promise I won't copy gin and tonic, maybe wine and beer... or silk and merino oooooooo I could go on....

The skirt is great. Thanks again for the inspiration.

[Knitting Nettie]

I think a comment like that may have been funny from a friend who can tease another friend, but from a stranger! I would have been a bit mad about that one, how rude! The worst part is that is scares you off from wearing a really cool shirt.

The skirt is amazing and looks so summery and cool. Perfection there missy.

[Wendy]

Yeah, well, that guy, he'd never have a chance at knowin' their names (not only because he was sort of a creep, but heck, I don't know their names, either.)

[elizabeth m]

Va va voom!

When I was a teenager, I had a t-shirt my brother had handed down to me that said Bose (the speaker company) across the chest. It was a bit snug. One day at school, an otherwise quiet inoffensive guy looks at my chest and said, "Is that what you call them?"

I never wore that one again.

[Samantha]

ok, so I'm a complete dork, but a penchant for eating dirt is called pica. Pregnant women and really little kids get it a lot. Something to do with lacking nutrients, generally not a harm to either, so they can do it to their hearts content. It's just yicky to think of.

I do love that skirt though. It has such a beautiful drape, and I imagine it would lend itsself to ninja knitter hijinks quite well!

[Cookie]

Hmmm... I think your skirt--which looks great on you, BTW--would be called knee-length. A "midi" skirt reaches to mid-calf.

[Wendy]

Cookie--you have too much time on your hands to notice, but thanks for the heads up! (So, this means that we have a mini, a knee-length, a midi and a maxi?...Doesn't sound right. I mean, the Knee Length should also begin with an "M," right? : )

[flutter]

It is REALLY fabulous Wendy, you always do an amazing job

[Tammy]

Very nice!

[lynda]

It's beautiful - I love the color.

[Darinka]

Oops, showing my boomer age, but your lovely new skirt is too short to be midi and too long to be mini. In those days midi was mid-calf. Just grazing the knee didn't really have a name during that fashion craze. (Man I had the best midi length grey great coat at the time....and it was cool to wear it with a mini and boots.)

BUT, back to YOUR SKIRT....it is gorgeous and enjoy it!!!!

[Octopus Knits]

Lovely!

[Gina L.]

Oh yeah I remember that comment- what a slimy perv! I adore the skirt and the outfit looks fabulous on you! cool combo!

[Nora]

It's beautiful Wendy.

[KarenJoSeattle]

Yeah, I was in 'fashion retailing' with Macy's California during the 70s and that skirt is knee-lenth. The length just wasn't 'in' back then, so the name didn't come up much.

But it's definately not midi. That's short for mid-calf.

Still, cute and very in NOW.

[Shannon]

So cute! I think I might be able to handle knitting a skirt. I always think knitted skirts will weigh a ton though.

[Bev]

Ooooh lovely,looks good on you, well done.

[Donna]

What a lovely skirt and a fab colour too!

[becky]

I dated a guy that had extra nipples going down his chest in sort of a simian way. They weren't fully developed but they were definitely nipples. He ended up being an alcoholic so I'm sure he'd have no problem naming all of them.

[Anna]

Wow! The skirt looks great on you. And did you totally deck the guy who made that comment? I would have seriously considered inflicting bodily harm.

[Jill]

The skirt is awesome! And looks great on you!

[Angela]

That skirt is gorgeous!

Where did you get the green shirt? It's beautiful!

[Theresa]

Great skirt! It inspired me to order that pattern and yarn and at this point I've finished the lace repeats and am doing the stockinette!

My brother has 5 nipples---3 aren't developed but they are there (however he's not the alcoholic Becky is talking about!). Fortunately his kids don't have them!

[shobhana]

really cute. i might have to add it to my queue. i have a ton of hemp in my stash, though i must say that i don't look forward to knitting with it!

[Mary Lynn in Cleveland]

how about mid-knee . . . thereby keeping with the "M" selection of lengths.

I love the skirt. It would fit my left (or right) hip and require substantially more than 5 skeins! On the other hand my daughters would thoroughly enjoy it!