Lavender Mint Fisherman Rib Skirt Free Knit Pattern
Introduction
This Lavender Mint Fisherman Rib Skirt is a cozy, above-knee skirt that's as fun to knit as it is to wear. It's written for knitters who are comfortable with knit and purl and ready to try a new texture — the fisherman rib gives it a wonderfully squishy, chunky feel. The soft lavender and mint stripes in worsted cotton make it feel fresh and a little fairycore, while the elastic waistband and deep turned hem keep it neat and wearable. Worked as a simple straight tube from waist to hem, it looks polished but comes together with no shaping at all.
Materials Needed
- Yarn: Worsted weight cotton (approx. 200 yds per 100g skein). Color A (Lavender): 300 yds. Color B (Mint): 200 yds.
- Needles: 5.0 mm (US 8) circular needle, 24" length, for the body; 4.5 mm (US 7) circular needle, 24" length, for the waistband.
- Notions: Stitch marker, tapestry needle, 1" wide elastic (cut to your waist measurement minus 2"), sewing needle and thread.
- Finished size: To fit waist 30–34", hip 36–40"; length 18" (including 2" waistband and 3" hem).
Abbreviations
- CO — cast on: make the starting stitches.
- K — knit stitch.
- P — purl stitch.
- yo — yarn over: wrap the yarn over the needle to create an extra loop.
- st(s) — stitch(es).
- rnd(s) — round(s): one complete pass around the circular needle.
- patt — pattern: the established stitch sequence.
- beg — beginning.
- WS — wrong side (the inside of the skirt).
- rep — repeat.
Gauge
16 sts and 24 rows = 4" in fisherman rib, slightly stretched. Knit a small swatch in pattern, give it a gentle stretch as it would hang on the body, and count your stitches and rows to check before you begin.
Tips Before You Start
- Fisherman rib grows in stitch count as you work it — the set-up round takes you from 120 to 180 sts, and that's exactly right. Don't panic when the number jumps.
- Carry the color you aren't using loosely up the inside of the work so the stripes stay tidy and you don't have to cut the yarn every two rounds.
- Try the skirt on (or measure against yourself) before you sew the hem and waistband down, so you can adjust the length to suit you.
- Keep your bind-off loose — a tight hem edge will pull and pucker. Use a larger needle for the bind-off if needed.
Step-by-Step Instructions
The skirt is worked in the round from waist to hem as a straight tube.
Waistband
With smaller needle and A, CO 120 sts. Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist. Place marker for beg of rnd.
Rnds 1–10: *K1, P1; rep from * to end (120 sts).
Change to larger needle.
Set-Up Round
Set-up rnd: *K1, yo, P1; rep from * to end (180 sts).
Fisherman Rib Body
Rnd 1: *K1, P1; rep from * to end (180 sts).
Rnd 2: *K1, yo, P1; rep from * to end (180 sts).
Rep Rnds 1–2 for patt.
Work in patt for 2 rnds with A, then 2 rnds with B. Continue alternating 2 rnds A, 2 rnds B until piece measures 13" from CO edge, ending after a B rnd.
Turned Hem
Change to A.
Next rnd: *K1, P1; rep from * to end (180 sts).
Rep this rnd 7 more times (8 rnds total).
Bind off loosely in rib.
Assembly and Finishing
Turn the hem to the WS along the last A rnd and sew it in place. Turn the waistband to the WS and sew it down, leaving a 1" opening. Insert the 1" wide elastic (cut to your waist measurement minus 2"), overlap the ends, and sew them together. Sew the opening closed. Weave in all ends. Block lightly, shaping the skirt gently and letting it dry flat.
Pro Tips and Variations
- Change the stripe rhythm: Try 4-round stripes or a random stripe sequence for a different look — just keep the 2-round A/B alternation as your guide.
- Adjust the length: Add or remove rounds in the striped body before the hem to make the skirt shorter or longer; the straight tube makes this easy.
- Try a different fiber: A wool-cotton blend will give a warmer, springier fabric, while 100% cotton keeps it crisp and cool for summer.
