VESPER SKIRT
Quiet folds. Gentle movement. Lasting form.
Vesper is a knitted midi skirt with a fitted upper section, gentle shaping and a single structured pleat at the centre front. It is worked seamlessly from the top down in the round and finished with a folded elastic waistband and a textured hem.

SIZES
XS (S) M (L) XL (2XL) 3XL

CHOOSING YOUR SIZE
Vesper is designed to sit below the natural waist.
To choose your size, take two body measurements:

• your circumference at the fullest part of the hips – this is the most important measurement when choosing your size
• your circumference at the level where the lower edge of the waistband will sit, around or slightly below the navel depending on where you prefer to wear the skirt

Compare both measurements with the finished measurements below.
At the fullest part of the hips, aim for approximately 0 cm / 0 in ease. The skirt should skim the hips without negative ease at this point.
If your hip measurement falls between two sizes, choose the larger size rather than the smaller one, allowing a small amount of positive ease instead of negative ease.
The waistband is designed to fit closely, so negative ease at the top of the skirt is perfectly fine.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Circumference directly below the waistband
71.3 (76.5) 81.7 (88.7) 95.7 (104.3) 114.8 cm
28.1 (30.1) 32.2 (34.9) 37.7 (41.1) 45.2 in

Measured at the lower edge of the waistband, around or slightly below the navel depending on where you prefer to wear the skirt.

Circumference at the fullest part of the hips
90.4 (97.4) 102.6 (109.6) 116.5 (123.5) 133.9 cm
35.6 (38.3) 40.4 (43.1) 45.9 (48.6) 52.7 in

Approximate centre-front length
60 (60) 60 (61.2) 61.2 (62.4) 62.4 cm
23.6 (23.6) 23.6 (24.1) 24.1 (24.6) 24.6 in

Length is measured from the top folded edge of the waistband to the lower edge of the hem. The skirt can be made longer by working additional rounds. Additional rounds worked in the upper skirt to reach the fullest part of the hips will also add to the finished length.

GAUGE
23 sts × 33 rnds = 10 × 10 cm / 4 × 4 in in stockinette stitch worked in the round after blocking.

NEEDLES
3.5 mm / US 4 circular needles, 40 cm / 16 in or 60 cm / 24 in, and 80 cm / 32 in, or the needle size needed to obtain gauge.
Different cable lengths are used as the circumference of the skirt increases.

YARN
The sample was knitted holding one strand of Novita x Laine 4PLY together with one strand of Isager Mulberry Silk throughout.

Novita x Laine 4PLY
100% wool
400 m / 100 g
437 yd / 3.5 oz

Approximate yarn requirements:
810 (870) 915 (985) 1045 (1115) 1210 m
886 (951) 1001 (1077) 1143 (1219) 1323 yd

Approximately:
205 (220) 230 (250) 265 (280) 305 g
7.2 (7.8) 8.1 (8.8) 9.3 (9.9) 10.8 oz
3 (3) 3 (3) 3 (3) 4 skeins

Isager Mulberry Silk
100% mulberry silk
210 m / 25 g
230 yd / 0.88 oz

Approximate yarn requirements:
790 (850) 895 (960) 1020 (1090) 1180 m
864 (930) 979 (1050) 1115 (1192) 1290 yd

Approximately:
95 (105) 110 (115) 125 (130) 145 g
3.4 (3.7) 3.9 (4.1) 4.4 (4.6) 5.1 oz
4 (5) 5 (5) 5 (6) 6 balls

The amounts above are for the skirt worked as written. Additional yarn will be required if you add length.
Alternatively, use another yarn or yarn combination that gives the required gauge. Choose a resilient main yarn with good elasticity and shape retention. Wool works well, and a small amount of silk can add drape and softness. Avoid yarns with poor recovery, as the skirt may stretch out of shape.

NOTIONS
40 mm / 1½ in wide elastic, 2 stitch markers, 1 optional removable stitch marker, spare circular needle or stitch cable for holding the waistband stitches, 4 DPNs, crochet hook suitable for the yarn, tapestry needle, sewing needle and strong matching thread for joining the ends of the elastic, and optional contrasting waste yarn or thread for marking the pleat stitches.

TECHNIQUES
Working in the round, stockinette stitch, German Short Rows, M1R and M1L increases, backward-loop cast-on, seed stitch, picking up and knitting stitches, and finishing the centre-front pleat.
The pattern includes detailed written instructions and photographs for finishing the pleat and folded waistband.