Inspired by 1950s poodle styles, this layered, above-the-knee skirt sits at your hips and offers a definitive modern twist. Worked in turned rounds and an extended sc, this skirt works up quickly so you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy the season.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Size: Finished Hip Size XS (S, M, L, XL); 34 (36, 40, 44, 48)” / [85 (90, 00, 110, 120) cm] to fit hips 33-34 (35-36, 38-40, 42-44, 46-48)” / [82.5-85 (87.5-90, 95-100, 105-110, 115-120) cm]
-1 to 0” ease recommended
Shown in size M.
Gauge: 11 ext-sc and 13 rows = 4” [10 cm] in ext-sc before blocking
Materials
Yarn: Cascade Yarns 220 Superwash (100% Superwash wool; 220 yards [200 meters]/100 grams): Pink Berry 837 (6 (7, 7, 8, 10, 11) balls)
Hook: US size H/8 (5.0 mm)
Notions: 33 (35, 38, 42, 46)” / [83 (88, 95, 105, 115) cm] of 1”/ [2.5 cm] wide elastic ribbon, removable stitch markers, tapestry needle.
Special Stitches
Ext-sc (extended sc): Insert hook in stitch and pull up a lp, yo, pull through 1 lp on hook, yo, pull through 2 lps on hook.
Pattern Notes
This skirt is worked in turned rounds with increases at 4 corners.
Top layer is worked first. Bottom, longer layer is worked next, starting in loops left over at top layer start.
Waistband is worked around opening when layers are completed, and folded over elastic ribbon for perfect fit.
Swatch
Ch 21, ext-sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, ch 1, turn. (20 ext-sc)
Work 20 rows. Fasten off.
Swatch should measure approximately 7” / 17.5 cm] x 6” / [15 cm]
Block swatch to 9” / [22.5 cm] x 7.5” / [19 cm]
Important: If working with acrylic, it is important that your swatch retain its size.
Pattern
Fsc 78 (84, 90, 102, 114), sl st in first to form ring.
Place marker in the front loops of sts number 2 (2, 2, 2, 2), 38 (41, 44, 50, 56), 41 (44, 46, 53, 59), and 77 (83, 89, 101, 113). Place markers in the back loops same as front.
Top Layer
Rnd 1: Ch 1, ext-sc flo in each st around, moving markers up, sl st to first st to join. Turn. (78 (84, 90, 102, 114) sts)
Rnd 2: Ch 1, ext-sc flo in first st, *3 ext-sc in marked st (move marker up in center st, here and throughout), ext-sc flo in each sc to next marked st; rep from * 3 more times, ext-sc flo in last st, sl st to first st to join. Turn. (86 (92, 98, 110, 122) sts)
Rnd 3 to end: Ch 1, *ext-sc in each st to marked st, 3 ext-sc in marked st; rep from * 3 more times, ext-sc in each st to end, sl st to first st to join. Turn. (Each rnd adds 8 sts)
Work Rnd 3 of Top Layer until piece meas 10” / [25 cm] or sits ¼ of the way down thigh from the hip. Length will be added at blocking.
Fasten off. Weave ends in.
Bottom Layer
Rnd 1: Join yarn to first unworked loop in Top Layer (Rnd 1), ch 1, ext-sc flo in each st around, moving markers up, sl st to first st to join. Turn. (78 (84, 90, 102, 114) sts)
Rnd 2: Ch 1, ext-sc flo in first st, *3 ext-sc in marked st (move marker up in center st, here and throughout), ext-sc flo in each sc to next marked st; rep from * 3 more times, ext-sc flo in last st, sl st to first st to join. Turn. (86 (92, 98, 110, 122) sts)
Rnd 3 to end: Ch 1, *ext-sc in each st to marked st, 3 ext-sc in marked st; rep from * 3 more times, ext-sc in each st to end, sl st to first st to join. Turn. (Each round adds 8 sts)
Work Rnd 3 of Bottom Layer until piece meas 15” / [37.5 cm] or sits ½ of the way down thigh from the hip.
Fasten off. Weave ends in.
Waist
Rnd 1: With RS facing, join yarn to any st of fsc, ch 1, sc in each st around, sl st to first st to join. Turn. (78 (84, 90, 102, 114) sts)
Rnds 2-20: Ch 1, sc in each st around, sl st to first st to join. Turn.
Fasten off, leaving a tail 3 times the circumference of the skirt for finishing.
Finishing
Wet block piece with Bottom Layer under Top Layer, leaving waistband dry and unpinned.
Note: Do not soak waistband, only layers.
Leave to air dry completely.
Fold Waist at Rnd 20 toward Waist Rnd 1.
Seam by working sc through both thicknesses in each st around, leaving a 1” / [2.5 cm] gap. Do not finish off.
Insert elastic ribbon around top. Sew ends together over 1” / [2.5 cm].
Finish seaming waist, sl st to first sc.
Fasten off. Weave in all ends.