This skirt was inspired by butterflies dancing on fresh spring foliage.
It is crocheted in the round from the waist down and features an elastic waistband for a custom fit. Make as many or as few butterflies as you like — and sprinkle them on the skirt with abandon!
Skill Level: Easy
Size: Finished Waist Size 20 (21, 22, 23)”, to fit child size 2 (4, 6, 8)
0-1″ negative ease recommended.
Shown in size 21”
Gauge: 19 sts and 12 rows = 4” [10 cm] in hdc after wet blocking
Materials
Yarn: Tahki Yarns Cotton Classic (100% Mercerized Cotton; 108 yards [99 meters]/50 grams): 3716 Spring Green (A, 2 (2, 3, 4) balls), 3764 Bright Spearmint (B, 2 (2, 3, 4) balls), 3402 Dark Orange (C, 1 ball), 3449 Bubblegum Pink (D, 1 ball), 3533 Bright Yellow (E, 1 ball)
Hook: US size G/6 (4.25 mm)
Notions: Tapestry needle, 1-yard ½” wide elastic, sewing needle and matching thread.
Pattern Notes
The skirt is worked in the round from the waistband down to the hem. The waistband is folded over to form a casing for the elastic.
The butterflies are made separately and sewn in place.
The schematic shows the waist measurement before the elastic has been inserted.
Pattern
Waistband
With A, ch 106 (110, 114, 122).
Rnd 1: Hdc in 3rd ch from hook and in each ch to end, join with sl st to first hdc, being careful not to twist. (104 (108, 112, 120) hdc)
Rnd 2: Ch 2, hdc in each hdc to end, join with sl st to first hdc.
Rnd 3: Ch 2, hdc through back loop only of each hdc to end, join with sl st to first hdc.
Rnd 4: Ch 2, hdc through both loops in each hdc to end, join with sl st to first hdc.
Rnd 5: Ch 2, hdc through front loop only of each hdc to end, join with sl st to first hdc.
Skirt
Rnd 6 (First Inc Rnd): Ch 2, *hdc in next 7 (8, 7, 9) hdc, 2 hdc in next hdc; rep from * to end, join with sl st to first hdc. (117 (120, 126, 132) hdc)
Rnd 7: Ch 2, hdc in each hdc to end, join with sl st to first hdc.
Rep Rnd 7, 3 (5, 7, 9) more times.
Change to B.
Next Rnd (Second Inc Rnd): Ch 2, *hdc in next 8 (9, 8, 10) hdc, 2 hdc in next hdc; rep from * to end, join with sl st to first hdc. (130 (132, 140, 144) hdc)
Next Rnd: Ch 2, hdc in each hdc to end, join with sl st to first hdc.
Rep last rnd 5 (7, 9, 11) more times.
Change to A.
Next Rnd (Third Inc Rnd): Ch 2, *hdc in next 9 (10, 9, 11) hdc, 2 hdc in next hdc; rep from * to end, join with sl st to first hdc. (143 (144, 154, 156) hdc)
Next Rnd: Ch 2, hdc in each hdc to end, join with sl st to first hdc.
Rep last rnd 5 (7, 9, 11) more times.
Change to B.
Next Rnd (Fourth Inc Rnd): Ch 2, *hdc in next 10 (11, 10, 12) hdc, 2 hdc in next hdc; rep from * to end, join with sl st to first hdc. (156 (156, 168, 168) hdc)
Next Rnd: Ch 2, hdc in each hdc to end, join with sl st to first hdc.
Rep last rnd 5 (7, 9, 11) more times.
Fasten off.
Butterflies (make 8 (10, 12, 14) each using C, D and E as MC. Use another color for body and antennae)
With MC, ch 4, sl st into first ch to form a ring.
Rnd 1: *Ch 3, 3 tr into ring, ch 3, sl st into ring, ch 3, 3 tr into ring, ch 3, sl st into ring, ch 2, 3 dc into ring, ch 2, sl st into ring, ch 2, dc 3 into ring, ch 2, sl st into ring.
Fasten off, leaving a tail approx. 8″ long.
Cut a strand of another color 12″ long. Wrap around Body 3 times and tie a square knot between triple crochet clusters for head. Tie an overhand knot in each end about ½” away from head for antennae, then trim ends.
Finishing
Cut a piece of elastic 21 (22, 23, 24)” long, or desired finished waist measurement plus 1″. Overlapping ends 1″, use sewing needle and thread to sew elastic into a ring.
Fold waistband to WS at the ridge between Rnds 2 and 3.
Use tapestry needle and yarn to sew foundation ch to the ridge on WS at top of Rnd 4, enclosing elastic.
Weave in ends.
Position butterflies on skirt, using photo for reference. Use the tails from the butterflies to sew in place.