Knit My Skirt by Candace Eisner Strick made our HAPPY THURSDAY because Candace returned LIVE to the Yarn Thing Podcast with Marly Bird. This isn’t the first time Candace visited, but we’ve loved her for a very long time. We’re very excited about her new book Knit My Skirt, published by the Yarn Thing Podcast Sponsors XRX Inc, publishers of Knitters Magazine, host of Stitches Events.
Candace gave us a little bit of her background, how she met her husband of 41 years and acquired the name ‘Strick’ which in German means ‘to knit’ (PERFECT for a knitwear designer). Knitting for her began when her mother taught her at age 3, her father bought her a skein of Red Heart Yarns, the rainbow colorway. The first piece came out shaped like a triangle because of all the stitches she dropped. Knitting was on the back burner as she grew to play cello and then, as an adult, had a family and felt she had no time to knit. She received a Stitches brochure for the event happening at that time (1990-something) in Cherry Hill and thought this sounded like her people. Several books later, she is the teacher-designer-author we’ve come to know.
Candace spoke about finding the wall of yarn at the local Five & Dime as a young knitter. For many people, that was where many of us would find yarn. She says it feeds her soul, her creativity, her need for color and texture by it’s soothing rhythmic nature. She said her mom didn’t want to buy her yarn when she was little, but nowadays her stash makes her happy.
At a Stitches South event, Candace taught a How-to-Knit-Skirts class and Elaine Rowley (often introduced as the ‘R’ in XRX) sat in on her class and afterwards approached Candace and asked her if she’d like to write a book about skirts. At first, she couldn’t believe her ears, but Candace says there are a lot of problems to be solved with knitters. Her first skirt was inspired by a yarn she had in her stash for a long time and a pattern that she’d bought, that involved creating a casing for the elastic at the skirt waist. The problem is that the casing and elastic created a triple layer of BULK that nobody needs, and as soon as she tried it in, saw and felt that she looked fat. She found at a local store a pair of leggings, she hacked that bulky waistband off and attached her skirt to the top of those leggings so that she had a smooth layer from waist to hip and (YAY!) her skirt fit and looked good on her. 
This concept is what she was showing students in that class. Since she began to work on Knit My Skirt, she’s learned how to help people understand why THEY CAN wear a knit skirt, it won’t show every lump & bump if it’s YOUR size, if it’s knit of a fiber that drapes, a longer skirt will hide your legs if you’re uncomfortable, it doesn’t take forever to knit and no more yarn than most (and in fact a lot less), … Most of us have body image issues that can be resolved or forgotten with a skirt MADE FOR YOU!
Many of those issues Candace feels are avoided by being choosy with fibers. A pure silk or bamboo yarn will stretch and stretch. Linen, Candace says she loves to knit with, it washes up soft, can be worn in multiple seasons. (Right now she is knitting a skirt of a linen, so clearly she loves working with that fiber.) Also wearing a slip under the knitted skirt bears the brunt of sitting issues that many worry about.
Of the designs in the book, we spoke about the My Mondrian Skirt which she knitted with yellow, red, blue and green, but for authenticity, XRX photoshopped it so that is more in the colors that the Dutch painter would have used. My In the Groove is knit smooth till the slanted ruffle. Candace even knit it in Green Mountain Spinnery yarn and with a reverse stockinette and loves the result. My Look at it From from All Angles is mitred squares in a slow color change yarn and, like a lot of the skirts in the book, the diagonals draw your eyes away from the things we don’t like about our bodies. In the text, beyond the patterns, are suggestions for more variations on the skirts listed, so really, there are more ideas than the 25 published here. Candace has worked through all those issues we have, to encourage us to add another type of garment project in which we can feature our beautiful knitting stitches.
We can follow Candace Eisner Strick at her website: www.strickwear.com, she is in Ravelry with a designer page, which we will want to do as she’s designing a skirt for an upcoming issue of Knitters magazine. You may wish to attend a class with her at Stitches Midwest in Chicago, CLICK HERE. A demonstration of using leggings to lose the bulk of the waistband, see her YouTube videos. You can also hear her previous visit to the Yarn Thing podcast by CLICKING HERE. If you missed getting to hear today’s visit , it is still available where it aired as an archive: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/yarnthing/2016/04/07/knit-my-skirt-by-candace-eisner-strick or in your favorite podcast catcher, like iTunes and Stitcher Radio.
Candace may have convinced me to do something today that I never thought possible. I want to knit myself a skirt! But which skirt to knit? I think I need the book to figure that out.
I knit a skirt for my granddaughter’s doll, but after listening to the pod cast I want to knit myself a skirt
I have always been intrigued by knitted skirts and after hearing about Candace’s book I think I want to knit myself a skirt! Her patterns are so lovely.
I’ve crocheted myself a skirt- now it’s time to knit myself a skirt!
I think my first skirt would be My Stripes at Dusk Skirt! I was a non believer until listening to this podcast!!!
I’ve seen so many beautiful skirts in the magazines I want to knit myself a skirt, badly. BUT can I afford the beautiful yarn I need to do it? We’ll see, convince me.
Candace was such an amusing guest–a great storyteller! I can’t wait to knit my first skirt from her book.
This podcast convinced me, that I need to knit a skirt. I know the book will inspire me to find my first skirt to knit. The descriptions of the many styles, definitely got me excited about starting my first skirt project. Thanks for all the great insight into skirt knitting.
My first skirt to knit will hopefully be out of this amazing book! Hilarious podcast ladies well done as always 🙂 thank you for the giveaway 🙂
After hearing so many knitters say they would look terrible in a knit skirt, I had dismissed the idea for myself as well. I loved hearing this interview, though, and I’ve changed my mind! My first skit to knit would be in linen. I have a bunch in my stash that’s been waiting for just the right project, and I wear skirts all the time. This will be a fun project!
I don’t have to ask what skirt to knit first. I have 2 under my belt so to speak already. I did 2 straight skirts on my knitting machine a decade apart. The one I have left is a favorite. My question is which skirt do I knit next… There are a bunch on my radar. The decision is the hardest part. Love the interview I always learn a lot.
As a full size woman, I thought I couldn’t wear a knit skirt. Now Candace has me wondering what will be my first skirt to knit. There are two skirts from the book vying to be the first.
Thanks, Marly, for bringing this inspirational designer to our attention.
Goodness…this was my first podcast!
I’m like “where have I been”?!
It was great fun…especially since I was working and able to just plug in.
I would definitely use Candace’s book when I decide on my first skirt to knit.
What a great story teller and so entertaining!
I love knitted dresses and have made several (with my knitting machine and hand knit/crochet finishing) so I already know the truth of how comfortable they are, from the stretch of the fabric, to the breathability in the summer and how you can shape to highlight assets. However, skirts, the waist band treatment always has stopped me (hence Candace’s firts experience). So, I can’t wait to pick which first skirt to knit with her voice of experience to lead me. Just on a note to all women. Life can be rough enough as it is. I try to always compliment myself and all the women around me. No one is critiquing you as much as yourself, and if they are, you don’t want to know those people anyway =) Spread the positivity. I can’t tell you how many women, when given a compiment, immediately reply with why they don’t deserve the compliment. Accept it graciously and pass it on…..anyway, enough of the diatribe…=)
Marly, my first skirt to knit will be from Candace’s book! I never thought I’d say that! Thanks for a terrific interview and a chance to win!
This podcast has inspired me to knit my first skirt! I can’t wait!
Those skirts are lovely, not what I used to think of when you say knitted skirt. I think the first skirt I would knit would be the “My sideways glance skirt” or the “Mummy skirt”. Love so many of them. I also liked hearing how about Candace’s name.
I was lucky enough to be at Candace’s “Knit My Skirt” session at Stitches South. This podcast just made me love her even more! I am currently on the hunt for a skirt top so I can knit my first skirt. Thanks!
My first skirt to knit will be from Candace’s book! Learned so much from the interview, thanks for having her on the podcast!
My first knit skirt was a design by Kira Dulaney. I love wearing it and it has lasted me a long time, so I’d also love to try the any of Candace’s patterns! I totally agree that getting a good size is important and I even ride my bike in my knit skirt without my butt or saddle leaving any impressions.
Hi Marly and all!
WOW! WOW! WOW! Is all I can say! I have been waiting for such a book for soooooo L-O-O-O-N-G! I have been secretly wanting to knit/crochet a skirt for so long but have been a bit nervous to. I am super excited and can’t wait to finally knit my first skirt….but which to choose?! Candace has so many amazing designs! I have a feeling that “MY FIRST SKIRT TO KNIT” will be the first among many!
Candace, thanks for all your hard work, beautiful designs, fab book and giving me the courage to finally knit that skirt!
Happy knitting/crocheting!
Rose
I have always wanted to knit myself a skirt, well crochet one. But this interview has made me really want to knit a skirt not crochet one. Thanks ladies for another lovely hour.
I can’t wait to knit my skirt now, after listening to Candace on your wonderful podcast, Marly! Let’s see, should I start with My Amoeba Skirt, or My Ruffles Have Ridges Skirt, or… Thank you Marly and Tammy for another fantastic listening experience!
What a fantastic podcast. I learned so much about skirt knitting just by listening to Candace. I, too, would have thought I could never wear a knitted skirt. I don’t know what my first skirt to knit will be, but I am inspired to try. Keep up the great podcasting Marly. The podcasts are entertaining and incredibly informative.
I really enjoyed this podcast. I love wearing skirts, and Candice’s book has encouraged me to dive in and knit my first skirt.
Very interesting podcast. I have to think what my first skirt to knit will be! Candice’s book provides great inspiration – I love the My Silver Leaf skirt1
This has inspired me to knit my first skirt!
I have been interested in knitting a skirt for many years, now I am inspired to knit my first skirt! Sounds like a great book.
Great podcast! I’ve been wanting to knit a skirt.
For contest: first skirt to knit
Thanks!
Denise
Years ago I knit the Lanesplitter skirt and each time I wore it I received many compliments. I need to knit more skirts. These patterns are lovely and I have heard several great reviews of this book on my favorite podcasts
My first skirt to knit will be from Candance’s book!
I’ve yet to knit a skirt, but I think Candace has convinced me to do one. What shall be my first skirt to knit? That’s always a dilemma, but easily solved with Candace’s book.
I absolutely LOVED this episode! Candace was so funny and I always adore Marly! I have never thought about wearing a knitted skirt, but I think after this I might just have to give it a try. I just wouldn’t know where to begin or what should be my first skirt to knit.
I have knit a dress but never a skirt. What I found so interesting in this interview was how Candace debunked all the reasons why knitted skirts work for people of all shapes and sizes. It would be awesome if people could open the cover of the book and hear a short clip of her voice…
I would love to knit my first skirt! So inspiring. Thanks!
I haven’t worn skirts for a long, long time! Listening to this podcast has inspired me to at least consider the thought of knitting my first skirt. I would probably knit a skirt for a doll for my grand daughter and then I would knit MY first skirt. Thanks for a great podcast.
I’ve been looking at knit skirts for a while wanting to try one! I am inspired by anthropologie’s designs and might make something with lots of color and texture! I’m looking forward to this book so much!
I have had my eye on the luminarie skirt from interweave for years, but haven’t done it yet. I don’t know if this is a good first skirt to knit, but it probably will be the first one I do.