Crochet Skirt Pattern: An Easy A-Line Skirt With Elastic Waist
Worked top-down in half double crochet with a casing for elastic and gentle increases for an A-line flare. Mini or midi, sizes XS–2XL.
Pattern at a glance
US terms- Skill level
- Easy
- Yarn
- DK (#3) cotton blend, 450–1,100 yd depending on size and length
- Hook
- 4.5 mm (7)
- Time
- 8–16 hours
- Finished size
- XS–2XL: fits hips 34–54 in (86–137 cm)
You'll need
- DK weight (#3) cotton blend — about 450–700 yd (mini) or 750–1,100 yd (midi)
- 4.5 mm (7) hook
- 1-in (2.5 cm) wide elastic, cut to your waist measurement minus 2 in
- Safety pin, sewing needle and thread, stitch markers
In this post
This skirt is built for beginners who want to make clothes: you work top-down in rounds, so you can try it on at any point and stop when the length is right. The first rounds fold over to make a casing for elastic, so there's no zip and no fitting at the waist. Every sixth round adds 8 stitches for a gentle A-line flare.
The rest of this post is just below — free, as always.
Gauge and sizing
Gauge: 16 hdc and 12 rounds = 4 in (10 cm). The top edge must pass over your hips, so it's sized by hip measurement plus 2 in; the elastic pulls it in to your waist.
| Size | Fits hips | Foundation chain |
|---|---|---|
| XS | 34 in | 144 |
| S | 38 in | 160 |
| M | 42 in | 176 |
| L | 46 in | 192 |
| XL | 50 in | 208 |
| 2XL | 54 in | 224 |
The pattern
Joined rounds; ch 2 at the start of each round doesn't count as a stitch.
Waistband casing
- Foundation: Ch the number for your size and join into a ring without twisting.
- Rnds 1–8: Ch 2, hdc in each st around. Join. (144, 160, 176, 192, 208, 224)
Skirt body
- Rnds 9–13: Ch 2, hdc around. Join.
- Rnd 14 (increase): Ch 2, *hdc in the next 17 (19, 21, 23, 25, 27) sts, 2 hdc in the next st*; repeat 8 times. Join. (152, 168, 184, 200, 216, 232)
- Continue: Work 5 plain rounds, then an increase round with one more hdc between increases each time (8 increases per increase round).
- Length: Stop when the skirt measures 16 in (mini) or 26 in (midi) from the foundation chain, minus 2 in for the folded waistband.
- Hem: Work one round of sc, or a round of crab stitch (reverse sc) for a rope-like edge.
Elastic waist
- Step 1: Fold Rnds 1–4 to the inside along Rnd 4 and whipstitch the foundation edge to Rnd 8 all the way around, leaving a 2-in gap.
- Step 2: Thread the elastic through the casing with a safety pin.
- Step 3: Overlap the elastic ends 1 in and sew them firmly with needle and thread. Close the gap.
Make it your own
- Stripes: change colour every 4 rounds for a retro look.
- Granny skirt: join granny squares into a tube and add this waistband — see joining squares.
- Matching top: our square-neck crop top makes a co-ord set.
- Lining: wear over a slip, or hand-sew in a simple half-slip.
Common questions
Will a crochet skirt be see-through?
Hdc in DK yarn is mostly opaque but shows light through. Wear a slip or shorts underneath, or use a 4 mm hook for a denser fabric.
Why does my skirt flare too much?
Increase less often — every 8 rounds instead of every 6 — or skip increases for a straight skirt.
Can I make it without elastic?
Yes: thread a crocheted drawstring through the casing instead and tie it at the front.
Mini or midi? We want to see yours. 💚
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