Confession – While I was planning Norah Gaughan vol. 13, I thought Dickson was a poncho.
From the time I made this wonky little sketch in my notebook, through writing the instructions, and even after the first time I put it on the dress form, I held to the belief that Dickson was a poncho.
Then, I steamed the piece. I love steaming. Stitches straighten out, yarn plumps and blossoms, irregularities disappear, ribs relax. In this case, the ribbing relaxing meant that the generous cowl on my poncho became even more generous. When I went to take a snapshot of the piece, I placed the poncho once again on the shoulders of the dress form (to be fair she doesn’t have much in the way of shoulders, not having arms) and all of us in the design department watched as the poncho slowly slid down off the shoulders, past the bust, along the “rib cage,” finally settling on her hips. I stood there with my mouth agape. We all arched our eyebrows and cocked our heads in unison. It looked pretty good. Really good, in fact. I declared “my poncho clearly wants to be a skirt.” And so, Dickson is a skirt.
This former poncho, now skirt, has turned out to be the most popular pattern in vol. 13! I’m just happy that knitted skirts are once again “in.” Here are a few more skirts and dresses from our archives:
Aune, knit in Ultra Alpaca.
Justina, Vintage would make a great substitute for the original Pure Merino.
Noyaux, knit in Blackstone Tweed
Shiroshakar, Weekend DK would make a great substitute for the original Naturlin
Brownwin, Fuji would make a great substitute for the original Suede.
Aurantia, Ultra Alpaca Light would make a great wintery substitute for the original Pure Pima
Have you ever knit a skirt?
Awesome
Thanks!
You could still wear it as a poncho! my fall/winter goal this year is to wear my (four) knitted skirts as cowls.
You’re right! (Of course) It would stay on as a poncho on real human shoulders.
I love your description of the scene. Wherever you wear it, it’s beautiful! I haven’t knitted a skirt or dress, but I’ll have to give it a try.
Thanks! I wish I had a movie of it. I could recreate the scene, but it wouldn’t be the same.
Hey Norah, was the picture for Noyaux taken in front of your sauna?
Oh, yes, good sauna sighting, Chrissy!
Hey Norah, i’ve ust finished my Dickson and i love, love, love it! So pretty and i got already lots of compliments. Thanks so much for this gorgeous design. Claudia
Thanks Claudia! Do you have photos posted anywhere (your blog, Ravelry?) We’d love to see a photo of it on you.
PS – The best thing about Knit Camp in Scotland (a few years back) was meeting so many nice people – like you.
You remember me from Scotland? I can’t believe it! It was so great having met you and your husband there.
At the moment I just have pictures of my “assistant” wearing the skirt on Ravelry but I hope to get modeled photos this weekend.
Yes, I remember you! 🙂
Knitting the Dickson skirt & the Forster pullover from the same yarn would make an awesome 2 pc dress… though they are different yarn structures, the gauges are similar enough to get away with (probably) only minor adjustments <3
I’d test it first, but it could be cool!
lovely pattern ,congratulations. Do you think that i can make it if i buy the pattern because iam new to the knitting club , i know the basics , and i think it is better for the new people to buy a DVD to show all the details . regards .
Hi, It’s not difficult, but If you are very new to knitting, you may want to have help with this one. A class at your local shop or a friend could help you if you get get stuck.
Hi Nora – I love your designs so much! Can’t wait to make this skirt, but wondering – I’m between 2 of the sizes – should I go a size up or down? I don’t want it to be tight (or fall off either). I measured around largest part of hips…. Thanks!
You should probably make the smaller size. The skirt stretches. Some knitters have put elastic at the top or a draw string.