I set out to create a pattern that could be worked sideways in order to accommodate any body shape. I am hippy, and my daughter is stick-straight, but we love to wear matching skirts (I wonder how long I can make this last!). This skirt looks great and feels great on both of us.
The Joy Skirt is not only worked sideways, it is also created diagonally. This unique construction gives the skirt amazing bias lines that flatter and add interest to the skirt. The skirt comes in sizes from 18 months all the way up to any women’s size (YAY for size-inclusive!).
There are instructions for easily adjusting the width in each child’s size. The instructions for the women’s sizes are written so that you can make it to perfectly fit your body. In addition, you can choose from 4 lengths to create your women’s skirt. This is so easily customizable; you’re going to love the result! The skirt is so comfortable.
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My daughter ran all over the place wearing hers. The drawstring tie at the waistband keeps it from slipping down (a common problem with skirts that don’t have elastic at the waist). This skirt is perfect for play or fancy. Better yet, the skirt does not need a special lining. The stitches are close together, so you won’t have to worry about it being see-through or the stitches gaping to show too much leg. You’re going to love making it and wearing it!
The Yarn
Lion Brand Yarn was extremely generous in providing the yarn to create the Joy Skirt. Comfy Cotton Blend is the perfect yarn for garment designs. It’s a heavier DK (3 weight) yarn made of 50% cotton, 50% polyester. Each cake contains 392 yards (358 meters) of yarn. It’s affordably priced. One cake can easily make the toddler sized skirts. The child’s sizes are easily made with 2 cakes. I used just under 3 cakes for my adult sized skirt. This yarn wears well and washes easily. It comes in a wide variety of blended colors and five solids. I chose Silver Lining (solid grey) for this skirt pattern because I wanted the option of pairing it a variety of patterned tops. I also wanted the diagonal line of the skirt to really pop. In fact, even in the color blends, the diagonal line of the skirt stands out really well.
THE VERSATILE JOY SKIRT IS THE PERFECT MOTHER-DAUGHTER PATTERN.
There is no such thing as too many skirts, and the Joy Skirt is CALLING YOUR NAME. It is the perfect skirt for any season. Made with DK (3) weight yarn and a cotton / polyester blend, it’s perfect for summer with a light cotton blouse or tank. Pair it with leggings, boots, and your favorite sweater for winter. It’s definitely all-season wear. The close stitches create a fabric that does not have holes and can be worn unlined. The diagonal bias line is flattering to all. The cinch waist makes it ideal for all day wear. Kids can run, jump and play. Ladies can feel confident that the skirt won’t slip down after a day of activity. Make one for yourself and make a matching one for your daughter, niece, granddaughter, or any special young lady in your life!
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How Long Does It Take To Crochet That?
How long it takes to crochet something varies depending on your skill & how fast you crochet. But that isn’t a helpful answer is it?
Well, I’ve developed a yarn calculator to help you get the answer to this question.
It will help you calculate exactly how much time you’ll spend crocheting a project.
All you need to know is how much yarn you will use on the project in either meters, yards or skeins. Then crochet your test square & time it.
Calculate how long it takes to crochet that.
JOY SKIRT – THE FREE CROCHET PATTERN
Pattern Options
GRAB THE PDF ON RAVELRY
GRAB THE PDF ON ETSY
About The Pattern
From 18 months to any sized woman, this is the perfect mother-daughter piece. Make it solid, make it variegated, add stripes, and make it your own. The Joy Skirt is a timeless addition to your wardrobe. In a handful of hours, you’ll have a skirt you can be proud of and that people won’t believe you made yourself. Every little girl in your life is going to want one, and I’m pretty sure the big girls will too. Don’t forget to make one for yourself!
Skill Level
EASY
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Materials Needed
Crochet Hook
Yarn
Yarn used:
Lion Brand Yarn – Comfy Cotton Blend in Silver Lining.
Yarn amount used:
Toddler Sizes: 1 skein / 7 oz / 200 g / 358 m / 392 yards
Child Sizes: 2 skeins / 14 oz / 400 g / 716 m / 784 yards
Adult Sizes: 3+ skeins / 21 oz / 600 g / 1, 074 m / 1, 176 yards
Yarn characteristics:
- 3 light yarn, DK yarn.
- 50 % cotton, 50 % polyester
Other Materials Needed
- Needle, find one here (if you don’t already have one)!
Gauge
19 rows (1-19 of skirt body) X 16.5 st, = 4” X 4”
To measure gauge, Ch 22.
Row 1: Hdc in 3rd ch from hook and each st across
Row 2: Ch 1, turn. Sc in 3L of each stitch across
Rows 3-4: Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across.
Row 5: Ch 2, turn. Hdc in each st across.
Rows 5-25: Repeat rows 2-5 until you reach row 19.
NOTE: The gauge swatch is larger than 4” X 4”. Measure the swatch from row 5-23 for length. Measure the interior 16.5 stitches to check for width of gauge.
Notes
- This crochet pattern is written in US terms.
- Note that measurements are given as exact as possible. But crochet tension & technique might give variations in the result, that changes from person to person.
- Read pattern instructions carefully before beginning to make sure you understand everything. It might save you hours frogging your work & crocheting it again!
- Make a swatch that measures larger than 10 x 10 cm / 4 x 4 inches using the gauge directions. Measure the 19 interior rows and 16.5 inerior stitches. If your swatch matches the gauge, you’re good to go. If the gauge is wrong, you might need to change your hook. Go up in crochet hook size if your stitches are smaller & go down in crochet hook size if your stitches are bigger (more details).
- Check yarn info if you want to find an alternative or test your yarn against the gauge. Learn more about substituting yarn.
- Pattern allows for any waist size to be made. Be sure to allow for 1-2” of positive ease at hips for comfort.
- Waistband and body of the skirt are created sideways in rows, with the body slanting diagonal. The 6(8, 10) scs in BL only, will create the waistband. The sc and hdc rows grow the skirt body on the diagonal.
- The 3L is located in front of and below the front loop of the stitch on rows that turn (skirt rows). When working into the third loop on skirt rows, you are working on the WRONG SIDE of the skirt.
- The 3L is located behind and below the back loop of the stitch on rounds that do not turn (skirt trim). When working into the third loop on the skirt trim, you are working on the RIGHT SIDE of the skirt.
- Since the skirt length is created on the diagonal, it will appear to be 2-3 inches longer than it should be. As the skirt grows, you’ll see the diagonal take shape.
- You want the body of the skirt to have at least 1-2 inches or more of positive ease around the hips. Don’t worry if the waist is oversized. The cinch-tie created in the last step will help create a good fit at the waist.
- The bottom edge of the skirt will curl. Don’t worry about this. The bottom trim and blocking will fix it.
Size & Measurements
Hip, Length, & Yardage Estimations
Children’s Sizes (generous yardage estimates)
| Sizes | Hips | Length | Yardage |
| 18 mos | 20.5” | 7” | 250 |
| 2/3 | 22” | 9” | 320 |
| 4/5 | 23.5” | 11” | 350 |
| 6 | 25” | 13” | 430 |
| 7/8 | 28” | 15” | 550 |
| 10 | 29.5” | 17” | 650 |
Pattern is written to allow for 1-2” of positive ease at hips. Add yardage if the hip size of your child is larger than that given in the chart.
Women’s Sizes (approximations)
| Sizes | Length | Yardage Estimate
30”-44” hips |
| Petite | 18” | 750-1000 |
| Regular | 20” | 800-1100 |
| Tall | 22” | 850-1200 |
| Extra-Tall | 24” | 900-1300 |
Yardage will depend on hip size. Estimate cautiously. You can make the skirt to fit any hip size; you are not limited by the measurements in the chart above.
Size Adjustments
- You can adjust the width of the toddler and children’s sizes by adding rows in multiples of 4. The women’s sizes are written so that you crochet to your measurements.
Abbreviations
- BL = back loop
- ch = chain (s)
- ehdc = extended half double crochet
- hdc = half double crochet
- sc = single crochet
- sl st = slip stitch
- st = stitch (es)
- 3L = third loop
We try our best to include all crochet abbreviations in the list above for the crochet pattern, but sometimes we may forget one or two.
Learn more about crochet abbreviations & find a complete list on our Crochet Abbreviations & Terms post.
Stitches You Will Need
Extended Half Double Crochet (Ehdc) = Yarn over, insert hook into next stitch, yarn over, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through 1. Yarn over, pull through all 3.
Techniques You Will Need
- The 3L is located in front of and below the front loop of the stitch on rows that turn (skirt rows). When working into the third loop on skirt rows, you are working on the WRONG SIDE of the skirt.
- The 3L is located behind and below the back loop of the stitch on rounds that do not turn (skirt trim). When working into the third loop on the skirt trim, you are working on the RIGHT SIDE of the skirt.
Joy Skirt Pattern Instructions
Toddler Sizes (18mos, 2/3, 4/5)
Skirt
Written for smallest size with other sizes in parentheses. If only one st count is given, it applies to all sizes.
Ch 37(48, 59)
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and next 5, hdc in next 20(31, 42), ehdc in last 10. (36, 47, 58 total stitches)
Row 2: Ch 1, turn. Work in 3L of all hdc and ehdc sts: sc2tog, sc in next 27(38, 49), 2sc in last hdc, sc in BL of last 6. (36, 47, 58 total stitches)
Row 3: Ch 1, turn. Sc in BL of 2, ch 1, sk 1, sc in BL of next 3. Work in both loops: 2 sc, sc in next 27(38, 49), sc2tog. (36, 47, 58 total stitches)
Row 4: Ch 1, turn. Work in both loops: sc2tog, sc in next 27(38, 49), 2sc, sc in BL of last 6 (including BL of ch 1). (36, 47, 58 total stitches)
Row 5: Ch 1, turn. Sc in BL of 6 sts. Work in both loops: hdc in next 20(31, 42), ehdc in last 10 sts. (36, 47, 58 total stitches)
Rows 6-68(76, 84): Repeat Rows 2-5 until the correct number of rows has been reached for your chosen size. Note: You will end on a Row 4 repeat.
Note: Make sure that the waistband is big enough to fit around waist and that the skirt body is big enough to fit around hips. 1-2 inches of positive ease (extra room) are ideal. If you have too much ease, remove rows in multiples of 4. If you need more rows, add in multiples of 4.
Tie off, leaving a very long tail to seam the two ends of the skirt together. Seam the skirt with your preferred method. (Alternatively, put right sides together and sl st the diagonal ends together. This gives you fewer ends to weave in but leaves an interior seam that may be a little uncomfortable.)
Note: Try the skirt on again once it is seamed to check the fit.
Bottom Trim
Round 1: With right-side facing, attach yarn to end of any row with a sl st. Ch 1, hdc around bottom of skirt. Place 6 hdc for each 4 rows. I placed 2 stitches around the ehdc row and 4 hdc evenly spaced across the 3 sc rows. Sl st in first hdc. Note: The number of stitches for your bottom trim should be a multiple of 6.
Round 2: (Do not turn.) Ch 1, hdc in 3L of each stitch around. Sl st in first hdc.
Tie off. Weave in ends.
Cinch Tie
Ch 138(146, 154). Tie off. Weave cinch tie in and out of the ch-1 spaces in the skirt waistband.
Formula for cinch tie if you have added or removed rows to skirt: Number of Rows + 70= Number of chains
Block if needed.
Children’s Sizes (6, 7/8, 10)
Skirt
Written for smallest size with other sizes in parentheses. If only one st count is given, it applies to all sizes.
Ch 70(81, 92)
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and next 7, hdc in next 41(52, 63), ehdc in last 20. (69, 80, 91 total stitches)
Row 2: Ch 1, turn. Work in 3L of all hdc and ehdc sts: sc2tog, sc in next 58(69, 80), 2sc in last hdc, sc in BL of last 8. (69, 80, 91 total stitches)
Row 3: Ch 1, turn. Sc in BL of 3 sts, ch 1, sk 1, sc in BL of next 4 sts. Work in both loops: 2 sc, sc in next 58(69, 80), sc2tog. (69, 80, 91 total stitches)
Row 4: Ch 1, turn. Work in both loops: sc2tog, sc in next 58(69, 80), 2sc, sc in BL of last 8 (including BL of ch 1). (69, 80, 91 total stitches)
Row 5: Ch 1, turn. Sc in BL of 8. Work in both loops: hdc in next 41(52, 63), ehdc in last 20 sts. (69, 80, 91 total stitches)
Rows 6-92(104, 112): Repeat Rows 2-5 until the correct number of rows has been reached for your chosen size. Note: You will end on a Row 4 repeat.
Note: Make sure that the waistband is big enough to fit around waist and that the skirt body is big enough to fit around hips. 1-2 inches of positive ease (extra room) are ideal. If you have too much ease, remove rows in multiples of 4. If you need more rows, add in multiples of 4.
Tie off, leaving a very long tail to seam the two ends of the skirt together. Seam the skirt with your preferred method. (Alternatively, put right sides together and sl st the diagonal ends together. This gives you fewer ends to weave in but leaves an interior seam that may be a little uncomfortable.)
Note: Try the skirt on again once it is seamed to check the fit.
Bottom Trim
Round 1: With right-side facing, attach yarn to end of any row with a sl st. Ch 1, hdc around bottom of skirt. Place 6 hdc for each 4 rows. I placed 2 stitches around the ehdc row and 4 hdc evenly spaced across the 3 sc rows. Sl st in first hdc. Note: The number of stitches for your bottom trim should be a multiple of 6.
Round 2: (Do not turn.) Ch 1, hdc in 3L of each stitch around. Sl st in first hdc.
Tie off. Weave in ends.
Cinch Tie
Ch 162(174, 182). Tie off. Weave cinch tie in and out of the ch-1 spaces in the skirt waistband.
Formula for cinch tie if you have added or removed rows to skirt: Number of Rows + 70= Number of chains
Block if needed.
Women’s Sizes
Written for petite length with other lengths in parentheses. If only one st count is given, it applies to all sizes.
Skirt
Written for smallest size with other sizes in parentheses. If only one st count is given, it applies to all sizes.
Ch 97(108, 119, 130)
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and next 9, hdc in next 60(71, 82, 93), ehdc in last 26. (96, 107, 118, 129 total stitches)
Row 2: Ch 1, turn. Work in 3L of all hdc and ehdc sts: sc2tog, sc in next 83(94, 105, 116), 2sc in last hdc, sc in BL of last 10. (96, 107, 118, 129 total stitches)
Row 3: Ch 1, turn. Sc in BL of 4 sts, ch 1, sk 1, sc in BL of next 5 sts. Work in both loops: 2 sc, sc in next 83(94, 105, 116), sc2tog. (96, 107, 118, 129 total stitches)
Row 4: Ch 1, turn. Work in both loops: sc2tog, sc in next 83(94, 105, 116), 2sc, sc in BL of last 10 (including BL of ch 1). (96, 107, 118, 129 total stitches)
Row 5: Ch 1, turn. Sc in BL of 10. Work in both loops: hdc in next 60(71, 82, 93), ehdc in last 26 sts. (96, 107, 118, 129 total stitches)
Rows 6-desired length: Repeat Rows 2-5 until you have approximately 2” of positive ease. Note: You will end on a Row 4 repeat.
Note: Make sure that the waistband is big enough to fit around waist and that the skirt body is big enough to fit around hips. Approximately 2 inches of positive ease (extra room) are ideal. If you have too much ease, remove rows in multiples of 4. If you need more rows, add in multiples of 4.
Tie off, leaving a very long tail to seam the two ends of the skirt together. Seam the skirt with your preferred method. (Alternatively, put right sides together and sl st the diagonal ends together. This gives you fewer ends to weave in but leaves an interior seam that may be a little uncomfortable.)
Note: Try the skirt on again once it is seamed to check the fit.
Bottom Trim
Round 1: With right-side facing, attach yarn to end of any row with a sl st. Ch 1, hdc around bottom of skirt. Place 6 hdc for each 4 rows. I placed 2 stitches around the ehdc row and 4 hdc evenly spaced across the 3 sc rows. Sl st in first hdc. Note: The number of stitches for your bottom trim should be a multiple of 6.
Round 2: (Do not turn.) Ch 1, hdc in 3L of each stitch around. Sl st in first hdc.
Tie off. Weave in ends.
Cinch Tie
Formula for cinch: Number of Rows + 80= Number of chains
Use the formula for the cinch tie to chain the number needed for your skirt.
Tie off. Weave cinch tie in and out of the ch-1 spaces in the skirt waistband.
Block if needed.
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