Long Lacy Skirt by Mary Jane Hall

Photo from Book

Skirt Flares at Bottom

This skirt design is in my book, Crochet That Fits (voted "Best Crochet Pattern Book of 2008"). It may look a little complicated but is very easy and has NO increases or decreases. Every pattern in this book is worked with my Graduated Stitch Method of crocheting shaped garments and accessories without incs or decs. This skirt can be made to custom fit all sizes!

Short Version

My Skirt in Black - I wanted it to be long

The skirt is worked vertically and therefore once you get the rows finished for your particular size, you can add or delete rows if you don't like the way it fits. I also give instructions on how to shorten the skirt with the pattern.

The skirt has a beautiful scalloped edging at the hemline. Everyone who has made this skirt and posted their photo on Ravelry and linked to me as the designer has said this skirt pattern was fun, quick and easy to make!

Another idea for this skirt is to wear it as a summer dress. You would put the waist area up under your arms, and tie the same as you would if it were at the waist. Just leave it strapless or add straps.

It's also been suggested this skirt would be a great swim suit cover - up! Even though I used Sinfonia, sport wt, mercerized cotton yarn, you need to keep in mind that cotton yarn can be heavy, so if you're making one of the larger sizes, it may end up touching the floor. If you do decide to use a cotton yarn, you will probably want to make the skirt a little shorter than what the pattern says, since it will most likely stretch. I give instructions in the book on how to shorten the skirt. Sinfonia yarn comes in 89 amazing colors! You can find it at my friend Mona's website, Creative Yarn Source. Hobby Lobby carries this yarn too, but they have only 5-6 colors.

This book, Crochet That Fits, has 33 patterns of garments and accessories, and you can purchase it on Amazon or on Krause Publications website for around $15.00. Barnes and Noble and other book stores sell it for retail at $22.95.

Cap Sleeve Top - One of my Most Popular Designs Ever

The Cap Sleeve Top has been my favorite design in Crochet That Fits from the start. It's fitted, flattering and a very easy garment to crochet. I like it because it's feminine with pretty lace edging and a flair at the bottom edge. You'll be happy to know this pattern has absolutely NO increases or decreases and is a very easy, fun pattern! In fact, none of the garments or accessories in this book call for increases or decreases. People all over the world who have made only afghans or scarves, because they were intimidated by incs or decs, are now making their own garments. Lots of people think this top is knitted. But one of the main reasons I believe this top is so popular is because it was featured on the Knit and Crochet Now TV Show, produced by Candi Jensen. (More about Candi here) I was able to decide which design I wanted to feature, using my Graduated Stitch Method, and it seemed like a good choice. Brett Bara was the host and Myra Wood demonstrated my method, step by step. with small swatches I had made for the show. She did a great job. If you are interested in seeing that episode with my top and my interview, you can watch it here. Go to the bottom of that page and look for Season 3 - 108. By the way, there's a download there for the free pattern!              

Off the shoulders 

If you are on Ravelryhttps://www.anniescatalog.com/knitandcrochetnow/patterns/detail.html?pattern_id=146&series=2, you know that people can post photos of a project and link it to the designer. (see my page with many other designs here). I'd like to share some of those photos with you, so look below to see what other people have come up with.

It's interesting to see the different yarns, colors and sizes that other people have made. One creative lady, Donna (in the white top) made 3/4 length sleeves, and she told me she wears the top everywhere and gets lots of compliments. Another person entered her top in the local fair and won! Scroll down to see more photos from Ravelry.

My friend, Rachel Petterson modeling the top                    

Photos from Ravelry

If you look to the left you will notice the different ways people have changed this pattern up a bit and I think it's brilliant. Notice the 2 with longer sleeves, one with no sleeves (like a tank top) and the longer tops, which is very easy to do.There's an explanation in the book on how to do this.

See how flattering this top is? It looks great on everyone, no matter what their size. (pattern is xs-3x) It's worked from side to side, and has stretch, for a perfect fit. Can you believe the skill level is Easy or Advanced Beginner?

So what are you waiting for? Get the free pattern for this top now or purchase the book, Crochet That Fits. Maybe you'll like the other designs with my Graduated Stitch Method. Just click on the book cover to be taken to Amazon where you can buy it.

Click here to see 5 * reviews, or to purchase it on Amazon. The "Little Black Dress" is even easier than the top, since it has no lace edging. This is labeled "Beginner".

Link for FREE pattern - Cap Sleeve Top is HERE

 Click here to see more projects I'm not showing on my blog. Wish I had the space

TNNA Fashion Show - My "Little Black Dress" on the Runway (San Diego, Ca)

My daughter, Jamie, wearing the "Little Black Dress" that's on the front cover of Crochet That Fits

The YouTube video I'm posting is from the 2009 TNNA Fashion show in San Diego, California. My publisher (F+W) asked me to come there to do some book signings, and of course I was thrilled. But what was even more thrilling is that they wanted to feature my "Little Black Dress" from Crochet That Fits in the fashion show! I can't tell you how exciting this was for me. It was a time in my life that I needed a jump start to get back into designing, and of course I took advantage of this opportunity.

Back of Dress

Here's the LINK to the video. (or you can scroll down and see the You Tube video at the bottom of this post) If you put your curser on the little round spot that moves along to show how much of the video has played, numbers will show up. If you don't have time to watch the whole video, my dress comes out at about # 447. (it's after the model wearing the Fedora hat and the felted shawl)

My dress got the biggest applause of the show! I guess the knitters in the audience didn't know crochet could look like that. (not stiff and boxy) Hope you enjoy watching it!

The amazing thing about this fitted and flattering dress is that there are absolutely NO increases or decreases in the whole pattern, but the dress fits like a glove! Since the rows are vertical and worked side to side, you can add or delete rows, if the size you are following does not fit exactly the way you want it to.

This way, you can get a perfect custom fit.  The stitches are worked in the back loop only (blo), making the dress not as thick and bulky as crochet can sometimes be. The pattern calls for a DK, # 3. medium worsted weight yarn, and the finished garment is lightweight, soft and drapable.

The dress is shaped without using increases or decreases, because of a method I came up with called  the "Graduated Stitch Method". You work short and tall stitches on the same row to get the shaping. Don't let this intimidate you if you are a beginning crocheter. The skill level is actually labeled Advanced Beginner. It's very easy and all you have to do is know sc, hdc, dc, and trc. Watch the video now. (below) You can see the dress in the background here before the video starts.Once it starts, don't forget that the dress comes out when the video is about half way finished. The fashion show was much longer than this video. This shows only groups 5 - 8, but there were 90 garments shown in all!