Minimal Maxi Skirt - Easy Crochet DIY Project

• Simple stitches

• Easy project

• Mindless stitching

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Recap

Before we get into the pattern, I’d like to take a moment and reflect on this maxi skirt saga! I started my Minimal Maxi Skirt on March 17, 2023. I finished the skirt five weeks later, started a new job in May, and began struggling through a huge life transition. Lately, I’ve felt out of control, aggravated, confused, and unfairly hyper-critical of myself. After taking time away from my WIPs and whatnot, I’ve finally restored the clarity I needed to see this through.

You may purchase the ad-free printable download of the pattern here. Thank you for your continued support and encouragement. Many of you know I struggle with writing garment patterns. Taking time to adjust to life's changes gave me a new perspective. I found joy and excitement in a process that usually sparked feelings of defeat. There may be a future for IPWF garment pattern collections, after all.

If you haven't had a chance to check out my previous post, “6 Steps to Designing Crochet and Knitting Patterns,” I highly suggest you give it a read! I go into even more details about my yarn choice, and how the Minimal Maxi Skirt came to be! Here’s the mini recap about the Minimal Maxi Skirt. I decided to crochet this skirt entirely out of Single Crochet and Single Crochet ribbing. I crocheted in join-and-turn rounds. I opted for the join-and-turned to make the seam a design element and the focal point of the slit.

What’s in the Minimal Maxi Skirt?

Not all skirts are made the same. Skirts can come in a variety of lengths and shapes. The Minimal Maxi Skirt blends design elements from A-line skirts and paneled skirts. The increases from the waist to the hips create a soft A-line shape, while the design elements from the hips to the bottom hem are symmetrical panels(minus the seams). My original sketch helped me determine the shape and type of skirt I wished to achieve.

Collecting Measurements

(Measurements to consider)

If you need help deciding how or where to take measurements, I suggest checking out the Craft Yarn Council Standard Body Measurement/Sizing. They have schematics and measurement tables for baby, child/youth, adult sizes XS-5X, and other critical measurements. Not all of their measurements are perfect, but they do reflect a relatively close collection of actual averages to consider. To be as accurate to your desired fit as possible, use your (or the intended body’s) measurements.

1. Total length (top of waistband to bottom hem) - define shapes, mark critical points between measurements, and determine how many rounds (rows) your skirt requires

2. Waist(circumference) - determines how much elastic you’ll need for the waistband and how long to make waistband casing

3. Waistband width - determines how wide you’ll need to make your casing for the elastic band

4. Length from waistband to hips - determines how many rounds (or rows) of increases you’ll work to create the circumference of the hips

5. Hips(circumference of the roundest portion of the torso) - this measurement will ensure your skirt will fit and cover your butt

6. Length from hips to bottom hem - determines how many rounds (rows) you’ll need to finish the bottom of your skirt

This blog serves as a guide for making your own Minimal Maxi Skirt! I’ve listed what I used to make my Minimal Maxi Skirt, but any appropriate yarn/hook combo will work. You’ll need to make stitch/row count adjustments depending on if you substitute the suggested hook and weight of yarn. I required three cakes of Sage Brush and two of Tide Pool to make my custom size. The yarn weight and size of your hook will affect how much more or less yardage you’ll need. I had plenty of the 2nd and 3rd cakes of either color left over. The total skeins listed in the materials are estimates for single-colored skirts. For reference, my finished sample fits an XS/S.

Materials

Hook: US F/3.75 mm (or hook that meets gauge in pattern)

Yarn: Big Twist Vista 5(6, 8,11, 13, 13)

Notions: 3/4” knit non-roll elastic, scissors, tape measure, tapestry needle

SIZING(waist circumference):

XS/S: 24”/61 cm

• M: 30”/76.2cm

• L/XL: 36”/45.7cm

• 2X: 42”/106.7cm

• 3X/4X: 48”/122cm

• 5X: 52”/132.1cm

Gauge: 20 sts x 28 rows of Single Crochet, blocked

Notes

The Minimal Maxi is a high-waisted skirt that features a side slit. You’ll need your natural waist measurement (just below the rib cage or 2-3”/5-7.6cm above the navel) to determine which size to make. The sizing is based off waist measurements. If you’re in between sizes, choose the size that’s closest to your waist measurement minus 2”/5cm. For example, if you have a 27”/68.6cm waist - 2”/5cm = 25”/63.5cm. The instructions for the size XS/S would create a better-fitting skirt than sizing up to a M.

This skirt is written with instructions for sizes shown as XS/S(M, L/XL, 2X, 3X/4X, 5X), and worked in one piece from the waistband to the bottom hem. You’ll begin by working flat-turned rows of Single Crochet ribbing. Next, you’ll encase your elastic in your ribbed waistband and crochet from the main body to the bottom hem. The entirety of the body of the skirt is Single Crochet.

Abbreviations

ch - chain

BLO - Back Loop Only

rep - repeat

Rnd(s) - Round(s)

RS - Right Side

SC - Single Crochet

SC2TOG - Single Crochet 2 Together

sl st - slip stitch

st(s) - stitch(es)

WS - Wrong Side

( ) - indicates the total number of sts

[ ] - indicates a repeat

Pattern

(Waistband)

Cut the elastic 2”/5cm shorter than your actual waist measurement, sew the ends together, and set aside.

Ch 9.
Row 1(WS): SC BLO in the 2nd ch from hook and in each next ch to end of row, turn.
(8 sts)

Row 2(RS): ch 1 (does not count as first st throughout), SC BLO to end, turn.

Rows 3-156(196, 234, 274, 312, 338): rep Row 2.

With WS together sl st BLO the ends of your waistband together. With your RS facing, fold your waistband in half around the elastic band. Work a round of SC through both edges of the waistband to close and finish the waistband, and begin the body of the skirt. See Rnd 1 of (Body) instructions below.

(Body)

Sizes M & L/XL ONLY

Rnd 1(RS): ch 1, SC2TOG, SC 194(272) around, sl st to first st to join rnd, turn.
195(273) sts

ALL OTHER SIZES

Rnd 1(RS): ch 1, SC 156(234, 312, 338) sts around, sl st to first st to join rnd, turn.
156(234, 312, 338) sts

Sizes XS/S & M ONLY
Rnd 2(WS): ch 1, [2 SC, SC 12] around, sl st to first st, turn.
169(208 sts)

Rnd 3: ch 1, SC around, sl st to first st to join rnd, turn.

Rnd 4: rep Rnd 2.
182(221 sts)

*Continue to ALL SIZES instructions.*

Size L/XL ONLY
Rnd 2(WS): ch 1, [2 SC, SC 12 ] around, sl st to first st to join rnd, turn.
247 sts

*Continue to ALL SIZES instructions.*

Sizes 2X-5X do not require increases.

*Continue to ALL SIZES instructions.*

ALL SIZES
Ch 1, SC around, sl st to first st to join rnd, turn. Rep for 77 more rnds (11”/28cm), or until skirt reaches desired coverage prior to the start of your slit, and end on a WS rnd. You will now begin working in flat-turned rows for the slit detail. To continue, See Row 1 of (Slit) instructions below.

(Slit)

ALL SIZES
Row 1(RS): ch 1, SC, SC2TOG, SC to last 3 sts, SC2TOG, SC last st, turn.
180(219, 245, 271, 310, 336) sts

Row 2(WS): ch 1, SC to end, turn.

Rows 3-12: rep Rows 1-2.

Row 13: rep Row 1 once more.
168(207, 233, 259, 298, 324) sts

ALL SIZES
Ch 1, SC to end, turn.

*Rep until the skirt reaches 1”/2.5cm above the ankle, ending on a WS*. You will now work 1 rnd of SC to trim around the bottom and along the edges of the Slit.

(Trim)

ALL SIZES
Rnd 1(RS): ch 1, SC to end, rotate your skirt to continue SC into the side of each row along the edges of the slit, sl st to first st to join rnd. Break yarn.

Finishing

Block as desired, weave in ends, and enjoy!

Let’s Connect!

I hope you enjoyed this skirt pattern! Don’t forget to tag me across social media @iplaywithfiber and use hashtags #iplaywithfiber #minimalmaxiskirt so I see and may share your posts! If you’d like to purchase the ad-free printable download of this pattern, do so here!

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