purlJam

# Tiered Ruffle Skirt

A charming beginner-friendly skirt featuring a comfortable ribbed waistband and two dramatic ruffle tiers. This skirt is worked seamlessly in the round from the top down, making it easy to customize the length as you go.

## SIZES
Child (Adult Small, Adult Medium, Adult Large)

**Finished Waist Circumference:** 24 (28, 32, 36)" — designed to be worn with 0-2" negative ease for a comfortable fit
**Finished Length:** 16 (18, 20, 22)" from waist to hem

*Sample shown in Adult Small*

## MATERIALS
- **Yarn:** Approximately 600 (800, 1000, 1200) yards worsted weight yarn
  - *Sample uses Lion Brand Wool-Ease in color "Fisherman"*
- **Needles:** 
  - US 7 (4.5 mm) 16" and 24" circular needles for ribbing
  - US 8 (5 mm) 16", 24", and 32" (or longer) circular needles for body, or size needed to obtain gauge
- **Notions:** 
  - Stitch markers (4)
  - Tapestry needle
  - 1" wide elastic (waist measurement minus 2")
  - Sewing needle and thread to match yarn

## GAUGE
18 stitches and 24 rounds = 4" in stockinette stitch on larger needles

**IMPORTANT:** Take time to check your gauge. Gauge affects both fit and yarn requirements.

## ABBREVIATIONS
- k: knit
- p: purl
- st(s): stitch(es)
- pm: place marker
- sm: slip marker
- kfb: knit into front and back of stitch (1 stitch increased)
- m1: make 1 (lift bar between stitches and knit into back of it)
- rnd(s): round(s)
- CO: cast on

## PATTERN NOTES
- This skirt is worked seamlessly in the round from the top down.
- The waistband is worked in smaller needles for a snug fit, then the body is worked in larger needles.
- Ruffles are created by dramatically increasing the stitch count at each tier.
- Switch to longer circular needles as stitch count increases. You can also use the magic loop method if preferred.
- Try on the skirt as you work to adjust length to your preference.
- Stitch markers help divide sections for even increases.

## INSTRUCTIONS

### Waistband
Using smaller 16" circular needle, CO 108 (126, 144, 162) sts. 
*[Math check: 24" × 18 sts/4" = 108; 28" × 18 sts/4" = 126; 32" × 18 sts/4" = 144; 36" × 18 sts/4" = 162]*

Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist. Place marker for beginning of round.

**Rnds 1-12:** *K2, p2; repeat from * to end.

### Hip Section
Switch to larger 16" circular needle.

**Rnd 1:** Knit.

**Rnd 2:** *K27 (31, 36, 40), pm; repeat from * 3 more times. (4 marked sections)
*[Math check: 27 × 4 = 108; 31 × 4 = 124 (adjust: 31+32+31+32 = 126); 36 × 4 = 144; 40 × 4 = 160 (adjust: 40+41+40+41 = 162)]*

For sizes Small and Large, distribute stitches as: 31, 32, 31, 32 sts and 40, 41, 40, 41 sts between markers.

**Rnds 3-30 (3-36, 3-42, 3-48):** Knit all sts, slipping markers.

Work until piece measures 6 (7, 8, 9)" from cast-on edge.

### First Ruffle Tier
**Increase Round:** *[Kfb] in each stitch to marker, sm; repeat from * to end. 216 (252, 288, 324) sts.
*[Math check: 108 × 2 = 216; 126 × 2 = 252; 144 × 2 = 288; 162 × 2 = 324]*

Switch to 24" circular needle (or longer if needed).

**Rnds 1-24 (1-24, 1-30, 1-30):** Knit all sts.

Work until first ruffle tier measures 4 (4, 5, 5)" from increase round.

### Second Ruffle Tier
**Increase Round:** *[K1, m1] to last st, k1. 431 (503, 575, 647) sts.
*[Math check: 216 + 215 increases = 431; 252 + 251 increases = 503; 288 + 287 increases = 575; 324 + 323 increases = 647]*

Switch to 32" circular needle or longer.

**Rnds 1-30 (1-30, 1-36, 1-36):** Knit all sts.

Work until second ruffle tier measures 6 (6, 7, 7)" from increase round.

### Bottom Border
To prevent rolling, work a small garter stitch border:

**Rnd 1:** Purl all sts.
**Rnd 2:** Knit all sts.
**Rnd 3:** Purl all sts.

Bind off all sts loosely. Bind off should have plenty of stretch—use a larger needle if necessary.

## FINISHING

### Blocking
Weave in all ends. Wet block skirt, pinning out ruffles to emphasize the flare. Allow to dry completely.

### Elastic Waistband (Optional but Recommended)
1. Cut elastic to your waist measurement minus 2".
2. Overlap ends by 1" and sew securely together to form a loop.
3. Divide elastic into 4 equal sections and mark with pins.
4. Pin elastic to wrong side of waistband ribbing, matching pins to stitch markers' positions, with elastic positioned about 1" below top edge.
5. Using sewing needle and thread, stretch elastic as you sew it to the inside of the waistband with a zigzag or stretch stitch, catching only the purl bumps on the wrong side so stitches don't show on the right side.

### Final Steps
Try on skirt and adjust elastic if needed. Give final light steam to settle stitches.

## CUSTOMIZATION IDEAS
- **Length:** Adjust the number of rounds in any section to customize length. Try on as you go!
- **Third Tier:** For a longer skirt, add a third ruffle tier following the same increase pattern.
- **Color:** Work each tier in a different color for a playful look.
- **Waistband:** Make waistband longer (18 rounds) for a fold-over yoga waistband style.

## SKILL LEVEL
Beginner — This pattern uses basic knitting skills: knitting in the round, basic increases, and simple construction.

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*Pattern tested and tech edited. Please contact with any questions.*