Sundown Skirt and Top Set, a free knitting pattern from Knitty.com.

INTRODUCTION

Sundown Skirt and Top Set

beauty shot by Afifa Sayeed

Tangy

I have been playing with the idea of an easy breezy skirt and top set for a while now and as soon as I got my hands on Rico Designs Creative Summer Sprinkles, I knew this was it! I started swatching with the yarn and the design elements just fell into place – thoughtful smocking to create shaping, a simple flower motif and the Sundown Set was born.

I designed the skirt to curl at the hem but there is also an option to knit a garter border if curling is not your jam.

Personally, I think starting with the skirt is the way to go. After the smocking on the top, the stockinette in the round flies and is great for social knitting. Once that’s all done, the top goes super fast and you’ll have your matching set ready in no time.

spacer model: Afifa Sayeed

spacer photos: Aiyla Baker

SIZE

XS[S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X]
shown in S size, modeled with 2 inches / 5 cm positive ease at chest and 13 inches / 33 cm of negative ease at hips.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

SKIRT
Waist: 22[26, 30, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52] inches / 56[66, 76.25, 81.25, 91.5, 101.5, 11, 122, 132] cm (extremely stretchy, designed to fit with elastic)
Length: 36 inches / 91.5 cm (adjustable to desired length)

TOP
Chest circumference at underarm: 32.5[35.25, 38, 42, 46, 50, 54, 58, 63.25] inches / 82.5[89.5, 96.5, 107, 117, 127, 137, 147.25, 160.5] cm
Length from underarm: 14.5[15, 14.75, 15, 15.25, 15, 15, 15.5, 15.5] inches / 37[38, 37.5, 38, 38.5, 38, 38, 39.5, 39.5] cm

MATERIALS

Yarn
Rico Designs Creative Summer Sprinkles [50% acrylic, 50% cotton; 350 yds/320 m per 100g]; 101 Pastels;
Skirt: 5[5, 6, 7, 7, 8, 9, 11, 14] balls
Top: 3[3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 5, 5] balls

Yarn Characteristics
Creative Summer Sprinkles is a vibrant mix of four color-changing threads twisted around each other. This cotton-acrylic blend is easy to care for and perfect for creating colorful and summery garments for all ages. The resulting fabric has beautiful drape and airiness. If choosing to substitute another yarn for this project, it is highly recommended to choose a yarn with a similar construction.

Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below - every knitter's gauge is unique]
US #3/3.25mm 16” or longer circular
US #4/3.5mm 24” or longer circular
Spare US #4/3.5mm circular needle

Notions
elastic for waistband
stitch markers
yarn needle

GAUGE

24 sts x 36 rows/rounds = 4 inches / 10 cm in Stockinette St with larger needles
32 sts x 40 rows/rounds = 4 inches / 10 cm in Smocking patt with larger needles
24 sts x 36 rows/rounds = 4 inches / 10 cm in Floral Lace patt with larger needles

Note: gauge is always taken after blocking.

PATTERN NOTES

[Knitty's list of standard abbreviations and techniques can be found here.]

This set features two different patterns: a tiered skirt and a coordinating puff sleeve top to create a lovely matching set.

Construction Method: The skirt is knit in the round from the top down with a channel for elastic at the waistband. The top starts with the construction of a pair of oversized saddle shoulders. Stitches are picked up along the edge of the shoulders with additional stitches cast on to create the neckline. After working the front and back separately, stitches are joined to work the remainder of the body in the round. The sleeves incorporate a whimsical floral lace pattern with smocking at the hem to tie the set together.

Crochet provisional cast on: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKErReecbqk

K2, P2 Rib
(multiple of 4 sts, worked flat)
Row 1 [RS]: *K2, p2; rep from * to end.
Row 2 [WS]: *K2, p2; rep from * to end.
Rep Rows 1-2 for patt.

K2, P2 Rib
(multiple of 4 sts, worked in the rnd)
Rnd 1: *K2, p2; rep from * to end.
Rep Rnd 1 for patt.

Smock Stitch (Sm st)
(worked over 6 sts)
Insert RH needle between the 6th and 7th sts on the LH needle and draw up a loop; pulling loop snug, place it on LH needle; k2tog (working the picked-up loop together with the first st on LH needle), k1, p2, k2.

CHARTS

Floral Lace
(multiple of 8 sts, worked in the rnd)
Rnds 1-2: Knit.
Rnd 3: *K3, ssk, yo, k3; rep from * to end.
Rnds 4, 6 and 8: Knit.
Rnd 5: *K3, yo, s2kpo, yo, k2; rep from * to end.
Rnd 7: *K1, [ssk, yo] 3 times, k1; rep from * to end.
Rnds 9: Rep Rnd 5.
Rnds 10: Knit.
Rep Rnds 1-10 for patt.

Floral Lace
(multiple of 8 sts, worked flat)
Row 1 [RS]: Knit.
Row 2 [WS]: Purl
Row 3: *K3, ssk, yo, k3; rep from * to end.
Row 4, 6 and 8: Purl.
Row 5: *K3, yo, s2kpo yo, k2; rep from * to end.
Row 7: *K1, [ssk, yo] 3 times, k1; rep from * to end.
Row 9: Rep Row 5.
Row 10: Purl.
Rep Rows 1-10 for patt.

Smocking pattern
(multiple of 8 sts plus 4, worked in the rnd)
Rnds 1-5: *K2, p2; rep from * to end.
Rnd 6: *Sm st, p2; rep from * to last 4 sts, k2, p2.
Rnds 7-11: *K2, p2; rep from * to end.
Rnd 12: K2, p2, *Sm st, p2; rep from * to end.
Rep Rnds 1-12 for patt.

DIRECTIONS

SKIRT
Waistband
With smaller needle and using the Crochet Provisional method, CO 176[208, 240, 256, 288, 320, 352, 384, 416] sts.
Set-up Row [WS]: Knit.
Row 1 [RS]: *K2, p2; rep from * end.
Row 2: *K2, p2; rep from * to end.
Rep Rows 1-2 8 more times. Waistband measures approx 2 inches/5 cm from cast-on edge.

Next Row [RS]: Knit to end, pm for BOR. Continue working in the round.
Rnd 1: *K2, p2; rep from * to end.
Rep Rnd 1 until waistband measures approx 4 inches/10 cm from cast-on edge.

Channel for elastic
Carefully unravel crochet chain, placing resulting live sts on spare circ needle. Turn cast-on edge towards inside of work. Knit together 1 st from cast-on edge with 1 st from working edge to join ends together and create a channel.

Begin Smocking Section:
Change to larger needles.
Set-up Rnd: K44[52, 60, 64, 72, 80, 88, 96, 104], m1; rep from * to end. 4 sts increased, 180[212, 244, 260, 292, 324, 356, 388, 420].

Work Rnds 1-12 of Smocking patt until piece measures approx 10[10, 10, 11, 11, 11, 12, 12, 12] inches/25.5[25.5, 25.5, 28, 28, 28, 30.5, 30.5, 30.5] cm from turned edge, ending with Rnd 12.

Increase Rnd: K45[53, 61, 65, 73, 81, 89, 97, 105], m1; rep from * to end. 4 sts increased, 184[216, 248, 264, 296, 328, 360, 392, 424] sts.

Skirt Body
Cont even in St st until piece measures approx 2 inches/5 cm less than knee length.
Work Rnds 1-10 of Floral Lace patt twice.

For shorter version, bind off all sts in patt.
For longer version, continue below.
Increase Rnd 1: *M1, k4; rep from * to end. 46[54, 62, 66, 74, 82, 90, 98, 106] sts increased, 230[270, 310, 330, 370, 410, 450, 490, 530] sts total.
Increase Rnd 2: K57[67, 77, 27, 31, 34, 37, 41, 44], (m1, k115[135, 155, 55, 61, 69, 75, 81, 89]) 1[1, 1, 5, 1, 1, 5, 1, 1] time(s), (m1, k-[-, -, -, 62, 68, -, 82, 88]) -[-, -, -, 3, 3, -, 3, 3] times, m1, k58[68, 78, 28, 61, 69, 38, 81, 89], m0[0,0,0, 1, 1, 0, 1, 1], k-[-, -, -, 31, 34, -, 41, 44]. 232[272, 312, 336, 376, 416, 456, 496, 536] sts total.
Work even in St st until piece measures 34 inches/cm from turned edge, or approx 2 inches/5 cm less than desired length.

Hem
Work Rnds 1-10 of Floral Lace patt twice.
Bind off all sts in patt.

Optional Flat Hem
Note: The hem is intentionally designed to curl but if you prefer a flat hem, work as follows:
Work even in St st until piece measures approx 4 inches/10 cm less than desired length.

Work Rnds 1-10 of Floral Lace patt twice.

Garter Border
Rnd 1: Purl
Rnd 2: Knit
Repeat Rnds 1-2 until border measures approx 2 inches/5 cm. Bind off all sts knitwise.

TOP
Shoulders (make 2 alike):
With smaller needle CO 36[36, 40, 40, 40, 44, 44, 44, 44] sts.
Knit 2 rows.
Change to larger needles.

Increase Row 1 [RS]: *Kfb, k1; rep from * to end. 54[54, 60, 60, 60, 66, 66, 66, 66] sts.
Next Row [WS]: Purl.
Increase Row 2: *Kfb, k2; rep from * to end. 72[72, 80, 80, 80, 88, 88, 88, 88] sts.
Next Row: Purl.

Work Rows 1-10 of Floral Lace patt 2 times total. Break yarn, place sts on holder or waste yarn.

Back
With smaller needle, and RS facing, begin at the top right corner of the 1st shoulder (where sts are on hold; this will be your Left Shoulder), pick up and knit 25 sts along edge of the work, perpendicular to the sts on hold. CO 20[25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60] sts. Then pick up and knit 25 sts along top edge of 2nd shoulder, starting at corner of cast-on edge with RS facing (this will be your Right Shoulder). 70[75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 105, 110] sts.
Knit 3 rows, starting with a WS row.

Change to larger needles.
Increase Row [RS]: K1[1, 1, 1, 1, 0, 1, 0, 1], (m1, k3[2, 3, 2, 1, 2, 1, 2, 1]) 7[9, 6, 19, 3, 20, 12, 18, 25] times, (m1, k2[3, 2, 3, 2, 1, 2, 1, 2]) 13[12, 21, 2, 41, 14, 37, 32, 29] times, (m1, k3[2, 3, 2, 1, 2, 1, 2, 1]) 7[9, 6, 19, 3, 20, 12, 18, 25] times, m1, knit to end. 98[106, 114, 126, 138, 150, 162, 174, 190] sts.

Work in St st until piece measures approx 4[4, 4, 4.5, 4.5, 4.5, 5, 5, 5] inches/10[10, 10, 11.25, 11.25, 11.25, 12.5, 12.5, 12.5] cm from picked up edge, ending with a WS row. Break yarn. Place sts on holder or waste yarn.

Front
On opposite side of work, with smaller needles and RS facing, pick up and knit 25 sts along bottom edge of Right Shoulder, CO 20[25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60] sts, pick up and knit 25 sts along bottom edge of Left Shoulder. 70[75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 105, 110] sts.
Knit 3 rows starting with a WS row.

Work in St st until piece measures approx. 4[4, 4, 4.5, 4.5, 4.5, 5, 5, 5] inches/10[10, 10, 11.25, 11.25, 11.25, 12.5, 12.5, 12.5] cm from picked up edge, ending with a WS row.

Body
Note: You will now begin working in the round.
Set-up Row: Knit across Front sts, return sts held for Back to needles, knit across Back sts, pm for BOR. 196[212, 228, 252, 276, 300, 324, 348, 380] sts.

Work in St st until piece measures approx. 12[12.5, 12.25, 12.5, 12.75, 12.5, 12.5, 13, 13] inches/29[30, 29.5, 30, 30.5, 30, 30, 31.25, 31.25] cm from picked up edge.

Work Rnds 1-12 of Smocking patt twice.

Bind off all sts in patt.

Sleeves
Return 72[72, 80, 80, 80, 88, 88, 88, 88] sts held for right shoulder to larger needles ready to work a RS row. Join yarn and knit across shoulder sts. Starting at top front of shoulder, pick up and knit 72[72, 72, 80, 80, 80, 88, 88, 88] sts around armhole, pm for BOR. 144[144, 152, 160, 160, 168, 176, 176, 176] sts.

Work Rnds 2-10 of Floral Lace patt then cont working in Floral Lace patt until sleeve meas approx. 4 inches/10 cm from picked up edge, ending with Rnd 10.

Decrease Rnd: K1[1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2], (k2tog, k0[0, 0, 0, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2]) 30[18, 14, 10, 2, 6, 10, 43, 2] times, (k2tog, k1) 7[23, 31, 39, 47, 39, 31, 0, 31] times, (k2tog, k0[0, 0, 0, 2, 2, 2, 1, 2]) 30[18, 14, 10, 2, 6, 10, 0, 2] times, k2tog 1[1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1] time(s), knit to end if necessary. 76[84, 92, 100, 108, 116, 124, 132, 140] sts.

Work Rnds 1-12 of Smocking 2 times total.

Bind off all sts in patt. Repeat for other sleeve.

FINISHING

Soak finished pieces in cool water with a bit of soap, if desired. Remove from water, place on a towel, and roll the towel up to absorb the excess water. Unroll towel and place on a flat surface, patting it into shape. Let dry. Weave in ends. Insert elastic in waistband of skirt.

SKIRT
A – Waist: 22[26, 30, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52] inches / 56[66, 76, 81.5, 91.5, 101.5, 112, 122, 132] cm
B – Length: 36 inches / 91.5 cm (adjustable)
C – Hem Circumference: 38.75[45.25, 52, 56, 62.75, 69.25, 76, 82.75, 89.25] inches / 98.5[115, 132, 142, 159.5, 176, 193, 210, 226.5] cm

TOP
A – Neck Width: 3.25[4.25, 5, 5.75, 6.75, 7.5, 8.25, 9.25, 10] inches / 8.5[11, 12.5, 14.5, 17, 19, 21, 23.5, 25.5] cm
B – Neck Drop: 3[3, 3.25, 3.25, 3.25, 3.75, 3.75, 3.75, 3.75] inches / 7.5[7.5, 8.5, 8.5, 8.5, 9.5, 9.5, 9.5, 9.5] cm
C – Sleeve Circumference: 24[24, 25.25, 26.75, 26.75, 28, 29.25, 29.25, 29.25] inches / 61[61, 64, 68, 68, 71, 74.5, 74.5, 74.5] cm
D – Cuff Circumference: 9.5[10.5, 11.5, 12.5, 13.5, 14.5, 15.5, 16.5, 17.5] inches / 24[26.5, 29, 32, 34.5, 37, 39.5, 42, 44.5] cm
E – Sleeve Length: 6.5 inches / 16.5 cm
F – Length from underarm: 14.5[15, 14.75, 15, 15.25, 15, 15, 15.5, 15.5] inches / 37[38, 37.5, 38, 38.5, 38, 38, 39.5, 39.5] cm
G – Chest: 32.5[35.25, 38, 42, 46, 50, 54, 58, 63.25] inches / 82.5[89.5, 96.5, 106.5, 117, 127, 137, 147.5, 160.5] cm

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

designername Afifa Sayeed is an in-house designer for Universal Yarn and also designs independently. Born in Pakistan and educated in Asia, Europe and the United States, Afifa currently lives in California. She is passionate about bringing together elements of classic design from a variety of sources to create something new and original. When she’s not knitting, she’s figuring out what to knit next.

You can find her on Ravelry and Instagram.