Girl's Knife Pleated Skirt Pattern | Sizes 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12

MATERIALS:
This very practical skirt was originally knitted with P & B Superior Double Knitting, Patonised. Do be sure to use this wool in order to be certain that you will get the right tension and size as given in the instructions. You will need: 8 ozs. (4 yrs.—8 ozs.) (6 yrs.—10 ozs.) (8 yrs.—14 ozs.) (10 yrs.—16 ozs.) (12 yrs.—18 ozs.). Two No. 8 Queen Bee Knitting Needles. One Medium Crochet Hook. Length of Elastic.

Tension: 5 sts. = 1 inch and 15 rows = 2 ins. Be sure to work to this tension to obtain sizes as given above.
The instructions are written for size 2 yrs. Any changes necessary for sizes 4 to 12 yrs. are written in brackets thus:—( ).

FRONT: This skirt is worked from the waist to the lower edge so that it may be easily lengthened as the child grows. Cast on 49 sts. (4 yrs—53 sts.) (6 yrs.—57 sts.) (8 yrs.—57 sts.) (10 yrs.—61 sts.) (12 yrs—65 sts.).
Before proceeding with these instructions, please read the "Im­portant Information" paragraph on patternbook page, regarding size of the garment you wish to knit.
Work 1 inch even in Stocking st. ending with knit row.
Next row: K1. *P3. Inc. 1. st. in next st. purlways. Repeat from * to last 4 sts. P3. K1. 60 sts. on needle. (4 yrs.—65 sts.) (6 yrs.—70 sts.) (8 yrs—70 sts.) (10 yrs—75 sts.) (12 yrs.—80 sts.). Proceed:—

1st row: K2. *Keeping wool at back of work, slip next st. purl­ways. K1. P2. K1. Repeat from * to last 3 sts. Sl.1. K2.
2nd row: K1. *P3. K2. Repeat from * to last 4 sts. P3. K1.
Repeat these 2 rows 3 times, (all sizes). The pleats have now been established and you will notice that the centre st. of every knit rib has been slipped on knit rows. This will crease the pleats to the front and the P2 between pleats will crease them to the back. Be sure to keep the slipped sts. on knit rows, one above the other throughout.

1st increasing row: K2. *Inc. 1. st. by picking up the strand between the sts. on right and left hand needles. Put this on left hand needle and knit through back of it to twist it. (Always increase sts. in this manner throughout). Sl.1. K1. P2. K1. Repeat from * to last 3 sts. Inc. 1. st. Sl.1. K2.
Work 7 rows (4 yrs.—9 rows) (6 yrs.—11 rows) (8 yrs.—9 rows) (10 yrs.—11 rows) (12 yrs.—13 rows) even in pattern after this and each of the following increasing rows.
2nd increasing row: K3. *Sl.1. Inc. 1. st. K1. P2. K2. Repeat from * to last 3 sts. Sl.1. Inc. 1. st. K2.
3rd increasing row: K3. *Inc. 1. st. Sl.1. K2. P2. K2. Repeat from * to last 4 sts. Inc. 1. st. Sl.1. K3.
4th increasing row: K4. *Sl.1. Inc. 1. st. K2. P2. K3. Repeat from * to last 4 sts. Sl.1. Inc. 1. st. K3.
5th increasing row: K4. *Inc. 1. st. Sl.1. K3. P2. K3. Repeat from * to last 5 sts. Inc. 1. st. Sl.1. K4.
6th increasing row: K5. *Sl.1. Inc. 1. st. K3. P2. K4. Repeat from * to last 5 sts. Sl.1. Inc. 1. st. K4.
7th increasing row: K5. *Inc. 1. st. Sl.1. K4. P2. K4. Repeat from * to last 6 sts. Inc. 1. st. Sl.1. K5.
8th increasing row: K6. *Sl.1. Inc. 1. st. K4. P2. K5. Repeat from * to last 6 sts. Sl.1. Inc. 1. st. K5.
156 sts. on needle. (4 yrs.—169 sts.) (6 yrs.—182 sts.) (8 yrs.—182 sts.) (10 yrs.—195 sts.) (12 yrs—208 sts.).
The increasing rows are completed for sizes 2, 4 and 6 yrs.
Continue, for 8, 10 and 12 yrs. as follows:—
9th increasing row: K6. *Inc. 1. st. Sl.1. K5. P2. K5. Repeat from * to last 7 sts. Inc. 1. st. Sl.1. K6.
10th increasing row: K7. *Sl.1. Inc. 1. st. K5. P2. K6. Repeat from * to last 7 sts. Sl.1. Inc. 1. st. K6.
Continue even in pattern until skirt from beginning measures 10½ ins. (4 yrs.—12½ ins.) (6 yrs.—14½ ins.) (8 yrs.—16½ ins.) (10 yrs.—19½ ins.) (12 yrs.—21 ins.) or desired length. Cast off.

BACK: Work exactly as given for Front.

TO MAKE UP: Press each piece out smoothly, then press pleats into position individually. Sew side seams. Fold the 1 inch of Stocking st. at waist edge in half to form casing for elastic and sew in position. Insert elastic. Work 1 row s.c. around lower edge.