The Cutest Ever Skirt

Is your daughter or granddaughter The Cutest Ever? Then crochet her this skirt using free crochet patterns from Red Heart Yarn. The Cutest Ever Skirt combines ruffles, frills, flowers, and sparkles. There's also a matching headband!

Directions for skirt are for size 12 month; changes for sizes 18 month, 24 month, 2T and 4T are in parentheses.
Directions for headband are for baby size. Changes for toddler, child size is in parentheses.

ABBREVIATIONS: approx = approximately; ch = chain; dc = double crochet; hdc = half double crochet; inc = increase(s)(d)(ing); mm = millimeters; sc = single crochet; sp(s) = space(s); st(s) = stitch(es); tr = treble crochet; [ ] = work directions in brackets the number of times
specified; * or ** = repeat whatever follows the * or ** as indicated.

Materials:

• RED HEART® “Shimmer™”: 2 [3, 3, 3, 4] skeins Ivory 1113
• Crochet Hook: 5.50mm [US I-9]
• 1” wide elastic
• Sewing needle and thread
• Yarn needle

Gauge: 12 sc = 4”; 16 rounds = 4”. CHECK YOUR GAUGE. Use any size hook to obtain the gauge.
 

Finished Waist Measurement: 20 (20½, 21, 22, 23)”
Length: 7½ (8, 9, 10, 11)”
Finished Head Measurement: 14 (16, 18)” with 3” stretch.

Special Stitches: Increase (inc) = 2 sts in same st.
 

NOTE:

• Each finished waist measurement stretches approximately 1” with elastic.
• Do not turn at end of rounds unless otherwise stated.
• Skirt body is worked first.
• Two rounds of ruffles are added onto unused loops of each indicated skirt body round.
• Headband is made in two pieces, assembled over elastic with flower made separately and attached last.

WAISTBAND
Cut a length of elastic 1” longer than finished waist measurement.
Overlap additional 1” on opposite end of elastic forming a ring. With sewing needle and thread, securely stitch in place.
First Half
Round 1: Ch 58 (60, 62, 66, 70); join with slip st to form ring. Ch 1, sc in each ch; join with slip st in first sc.
Rounds 2–4: Ch 1, sc in each st around; join with slip st in first sc. Fasten off after last round.
Second Half
Round 1: Working down from foundation ch loops of Round 1 of first half; join yarn with sc in any loop, sc in each loop around; join with slip st in first sc.
Rounds 2–4: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join with slip st in first sc.
Fold waistband over elastic. Working first row of skirt through both Round 4 of first and second half of waistband
at same time:

Skirt
Round 1: Ch 1, sc in each st around; join with slip st in first sc.
Rounds 2–4: Ch 1, sc in each st around evenly spacing 2 inc; join with slip st in first sc. 64 (66, 68, 72, 76) sc.
Round(s) 5 (5, 5–7, 5–9, 5–11): Ch 1, sc in each st around evenly spacing 4 inc; join with slip st in first sc. 68 (70, 80, 92, 104) sc.
SIZES 18, 24 MONTH, 2T, 4T ONLY
Round 6 (8, 10, 12): Ch 1, sc in each st around; join with slip st in first sc.

RUFFLES
Round 1 – first half of ruffle: Turn, working in back loops only of last round, slip st in first loop, ch 2, (counts as hdc), 2 hdc in same space, 3 hdc in each loop around; join with slip st in top of beginning ch-2, ch 1, slip st in side of beginning-ch, slip st, ch 1.
Round 1 – second half of ruffle: Turn, working in unused loops of same round, slip st in first loop, ch 2, hdc in each loop around, join with slip st in top of beginning ch-2.
Round(s) 2 (2–3, 2–5, 2–7, 2–9): Repeat first and second half of Round 1.
Rounds 3–5 (4–6, 6–8, 8–10, 10–12) – first half: Repeat first half of Round 1.
Rounds 3–5 (4–6, 6–8, 8–10, 10–12) – second half: Repeat second half of Round 1 and evenly spacing an extra hdc 4 times within each round– 80 (82, 92, 104, 116) sc.

BOTTOM RUFFLES
Round 1–first half: Working in front loop only of last round, ch 3, (counts as dc), 2 dc in same loop, 5 dc in next loop, *3 dc in next loop, 5 dc in next loop; repeat from * around, join with slip st in top of beginning ch-3.
Round 1–second half: Ch 3, working in unused loops of same round behind first half of ruffles, slip st in first ch, ch 4, (counts as tr), 4 tr in same loop, 5 dc in each loop around, join with slip st in top of beginning ch-4, Fasten off.

RUFFLE EDGING
Round 1: Working in second half of Round 5 (5, 7, 8, 10), join yarn with slip st in any st, ch 3, *slip st in next st, ch 3; repeat from * around. Fasten off. 18, 24 MONTH, 2T, 4T ONLY
Round 2: Working in second half of Round 6 [8, 9, 11], repeat Round 1.
2T, 4T ONLY
Round 3: Working in second half of Round 9 [10], repeat

HEADBAND (make 2)
Row 1: Ch 5, sc in second ch from hook and each ch across; turn – 4 sc.
Rows 2–56 [64, 72]: Ch 1, sc in each st across; turn.
Fasten off after last row.
Holding both pieces together, working through both thicknesses at the same time, into the side of rows of a short end, join yarn with sc in first st, sc in each row across.
Fasten off.
Cut elastic piece 15 [17, 19]”, overlapping 1”, with sewing needle and thread, stitch securely to form circle.
Working over elastic, in row ends of second side, through both thicknesses at same time, join yarn with sc in first row, sc in each st across, fasten off leaving a long length for sewing. With yarn needle, whipstitch ends of headband together and join to opposite end, whipstitch together opening at opposite end.

FLOWER
Round 1: Ch 3; join with slip st to form ring, ch 2, (counts as hdc), 19 hdc in ring; join with slip st in top of beginning ch-2, ch 2; turn – 20 hdc.
Round 2 first half: Working in back loop only, 2 hdc in first loop of round 1, 3 hdc in each loop around; join with slip st in top of beginning ch-2, ch 1, sl st in first ch of beginning ch. 60 hdc.
Round 2 – second half: Turn, working in unused loops of round 1, slip st in first loop, ch 3, (counts as dc), dc in each loop around; join with slip st in top of beginning ch-3 – 20 dc.
Round 3: Ch 3, working in front loop only of round 2 second half, 4 dc in same loop, 5 dc in each loop around, join with slip st in top of beginning ch-3 – 100 dc. Fasten off leaving a long length for sewing. Using tail and yarn needle, weave end through all sts of round 1 and pull center closed.

FINISHING:
With yarn needle, stitch flower to headband over seam.