A flowing, pleated skirt
Skill Level: Advanced
SIZING
The sizing table lists finished garment measurements. The top of this skirt is designed to fit loosely between the hips and the waist and fit snugly with no ease at the hips. The pleats sit just below the hips. Select your size based on your hip width.
| Size | Hip Width | Length | Yardage per Color | Total Yardage |
| XS | 33” | 23.5” | 272 yards | 1088 yards |
| S | 35” | 24” | 293 yards | 1172 yards |
| M | 38” | 24” | 335 yards | 1340 yards |
| L | 42” | 24.5” | 394 yards | 1576 yards |
| XL | 46” | 24.5” | 457 yards | 1828 yards |
| 2XL | 52” | 25” | 535 yards | 2140 yards |
| 3XL | 54” | 25” | 566 yards | 2264 yards |
| 4XL | 56” | 25.5” | 620 yards | 2480 yards |
| 5XL | 61” | 25.5” | 686 yards | 2744 yards |
COMPONENTS
Gauge: 22 sts x 24 rows = 4 inches in stockinette
Suggested Needles: Size 3.5mm (US 4) circular knitting needles and double pointed needles, or a size that achieves gauge
Notions: 1” elastic band
Tapestry needle
Sewing needle
Thread
Yarn: 272 (293, 335, 394, 457) (535, 566, 620, 686) yards of fingering weight yarn in each of the four coordinating colors of your choice, or
1088 (1172, 1340, 1576, 1828) (2140, 2264, 2480, 2744) yards of fingering weight yarn total.
STITCH ABBREVIATIONS
K– knit
P– purl
RS– right side
WS– wrong side
CO– cast on
Sl– slip
K2tog– knit two stitches together (decrease)
SSK– slip unworked stitch from left needle to right needle knitwise. Slip a second unworked stitch from the left needle to the right needle purlwise. Slip those two unworked stitches separately back to the left needle purlwise. Knit those two stitches together in the back of the stitches (decrease).
St(s)– stitch(es)
PATTERN NOTES
This skirt is knit flat and from the bottom up, then seamed at the end. It includes an elastic waistband sewn in to fit securely just below the waist. Select your size based on your hip width. Instructions for optional waist shaping are included.
Stitches that appear between * and * should be worked until the end, unless otherwise indicated.
After working the cast on row, and for every row after that, be sure to catch the working yarn of the previous color with the strand of the next color you are working by wrapping the working yarn of the current color 180 degrees around the working yarn of the previous color. A helpful tutorial is available here.
This skirt can be worked in a single solid color, or less than the four colors indicated by the pattern. If you do so, place a stitch marker at the points where the pattern indicates to work a new color.
INSTRUCTIONS
Skirt Shaping
In Color A and using long tail cast on, CO 176 (178, 188, 194, 204) (208, 214, 218, 224) sts. In Color B, CO 176 (178, 188, 194, 204) (208, 214, 218, 224) sts. In Color C, CO 176 (178, 188, 194, 204) (208, 214, 218, 224) sts. In Color D, CO 176 (178, 188, 194, 204) (208, 214, 218, 224) sts.
Row 1(WS): Sl 1, P across. Be sure not to twist the CO edge on this first row. See pattern notes about catching the working yarn as you change colors.
Row 2(RS): Across Color A, Sl 1, *K1, SSK, K across until last 3 sts, K2tog, K1.* Across Color B, *K1, SSK, K across until last 3 sts, K2tog, K1.* Across Color C, *K1, SSK, K across until last 3 sts, K2tog, K1.* Across Color D, *K1, SSK, K across until last 3 sts, K2tog, K1.*
Row 3: Sl 1, P across.
Repeat Rows 2-3 an additional 53 (53, 56, 56, 58) (56, 58, 58, 58) times, or a total of 54 (54, 57, 57, 59) (57, 59, 59, 59) repeats. You will now have 272 (280, 296, 320, 344) (376, 3844, 400, 424) sts total.
Pleats
Row 4:
Right Facing Pleat
In Color A, place 6 sts on one double pointed needle (Needle 1), place next 6 sts on a second double pointed needle (Needle 2), and leave remaining sts on your left needle (Needle 3). See Fig. 1. Fold Needle 2 on top of Needle 1 so the right sides are facing, and fold Needle 3 on top of Needle 2 so the wrong sides are facing. See Fig. 2. Knit the first st from each needle together until you have knit 6 sts (12 sts decreased).
Fig. 1 Fig. 2
Left Facing Pleat
Continue working across Color A until you have 18 sts remaining in Color A. Place 6 sts on one double pointed needle (Needle 1), place next 6 sts on a second double pointed needle (Needle 2), and leave remaining sts on your left needle (Needle 3). See Fig. 3. Fold Needle 2 on top of Needle 3 so the right sides are facing, and fold Needle 1 on top of Needle 2 so the wrong sides are facing. See Fig. 4. Knit the first st from each needle together until you have knit 6 sts (12 sts decreased).
Fig. 3 Fig. 4
Repeat the Right Facing Pleat and Left Facing Pleat Across Colors B, C, and D.
Waist
Row 5: Sl 1, P across
Row 6: Sl 1, K across
Repeat Rows 5-6 for a total of 34 (36, 30, 34, 30) (36, 32, 36, 36) repeats. Repeat Row 5 once.
Optional Waist Shaping
Wrap your piece around your waist. If you would like to reduce the width by 4” for a tighter fit, you can work one box pleat along the back of the skirt.
Row 7: Sl 1, K5 (6, 8, 11, 14) (18, 19, 21, 24), work Right Facing Pleat with 6 sts per needle, work Left Facing Pleat with 6 sts per needle, K across (12 sts decreased).
Row 8: P across
Bind off using the I-Cord Bind Off (video tutorial available here).
Seaming and Waistband
With the wrong sides facing and using Color A, sew the slipped stitches along the edges of the skirt together. Weave in ends and block to measurements.
Measure the width of your waist and cut a length of elastic that is the same width as your waist. Using a sewing needle and thread that is the same color as the elastic, attach the elastic around the inside waist of the skirt. It is recommended you attach the top of the elastic to the lower edge of the I-cord bind off for ideal placement.
THANK YOU!
I hope you enjoyed making the Petal Skirt as much as I did! Tag me on Instagram @knitabitcrochetaway and use #knitabitcrochetaway and #PetalSkirt– I’d love to see your progress and finished product!