The Mini Cupcake Skirt is a fitted crochet mini skirt with soft ruffle details and a flattering body-hugging silhouette. Designed to be fully customizable, this skirt is worked from the waistband down in spiral rounds and shaped to fit comfortably around the hips before transitioning into layered ruffles at the bottom.
This crochet skirt pattern is beginner-friendly while still teaching useful garment techniques like invisible decreases, spiral construction, ribbing, and shaping.
Difficulty
Easy
Projects may include basic stitch patterns, color work, and/or shaping.
Key Takeaways
- Finished measurements
- Sizes from XS to 2XL
- Customizable
- YouTube tutorial
Materials
Yarn
DROPS LOVES YOU 9, 8/4 classic cotton, Yarn group A (sport weight), color 108 (coral);
300g / 750m (350g / 875m, 450g / 1125m, 500g / 1250m, 600g / 1500m, 700g / 1750m)
Other
Hook: 3.5 mm
Yarn Needle, Scissors, Measuring Tape, Stitch Markers
Gauge
16 sts x 14 rows = 10 x 10 cm (half double crochet crocheted in spiral rounds)
Finished Measurements (in cm)
XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL
Waist: 53, 59, 67, 77, 87, 97
Hips: 78, 86, 96,110,121,134
Length: 36, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47
The pattern includes instructions on how to adjust the fit to suit your body.
Stitch Key (US terminology)
- ch = chain
- hdc = half double crochet
- hdc2tog = half double crochet two stitches together
- hdc blo = half double crochet back loop only
- sc = single crochet
- sk = skip
- slst = slip stitch
- st = stitch
- sts = stitches
Specialty Stitch & Technique Key
Herringbone Single Crochet
Begin with any number of chains.
Row 1 (working in the back bumps of the chain): sc in the 2nd ch from the hook, insert the hook in the left leg of the sc just made and through the back bump of the next ch and pull up a loop, yo and pull through all three loops on the hook. Continue working herringbone single crochet (hsc) across.
Row 2: ch 1,turn. Sc blo in the 1st st, insert the hook into the left leg of the sc just made and through the back loop of the next st and pull up a loop, yo and pull through all three loops on the hook. Continue working herringbone single crochet through the back loop (hsc blo) across.
Repeat row 2 until you reach the desired size.
Invisible Half Double Crochet Decrease
Yarn over (as you normally would for a hdc).
Insert your hook into the front loop only (FLO) of the next stitch.
Then insert your hook into the front loop only of the stitch after that.
You now have three loops on the hook: the original yarn over, and two front loops.
Yarn over again, and pull through all loops on the hook.
Notes
- First, you’ll crochet the waistband and join the ends. Then you’ll work the body in spiral rounds, gradually increasing for shape. Once it fits over the hips, you’ll continue without increases. Finish with a ruffle section at the bottom, and make a drawstring to weave through the waistband.
- The pattern includes instructions for customizing the waist, hips, and length to suit your fit and style.
- For hdc2tog make invisible hdc2tog.
- Watch my YouTube video tutorial for any uncertainties.
YouTube Tutorial
Follow along with the full video tutorial here:
Instructions
Waistband
Row 1 (working in the back bumps of the chain): ch 13 (13,15,15,17,17), sc in the 2nd ch from the hook, hsc across. 12 (12,14,14,16,16)
Row 2: ch 1,turn. Sc blo in the 1st st, hsc blo across. 12 (12,14,14,16,16)
Repeat row 2 until row 84 (94,106,124,138,154).
Sew the ends together with a slst.
The waistband should stretch comfortably over your hips. The pattern includes instructions for adjusting the skirt both at the waistband and later on as you shape the hips and beyond.
Do not finish off.
Body
Round 1: ch 1 and work on the longer edge of the ribbing. RS facing, work 1 sc in every row on the waistband. 84 (94,106,124,138,154)
Increasing
Lay the piece flat with the waistband seam centered at the back. Place stitch markers at the left and right corners—these mark where you'll increase for the hips. You'll work in spiral rounds, adding increases at these points in every round.
Round 2: hdc until you reach the 1st st marker, 2 hdc, hdc until you reach the 2nd st marker, 2 hdc, hdc until the end of the round. 86 (96,108,126,140,156)
Since you’ll be working in spiral rounds, stitches will gradually shift to the right instead of stacking directly on top of each other. This is normal for spiral construction. To keep track of your rounds, you’ll need to move your stitch marker at the beginning of each new round.
Repeat round 2 until round 20 (22, 24, 26, 28, 30) - until the width fits the widest part of your hips.
No Increase Rounds
Once the skirt fits comfortably over your hips, stop increasing and continue crocheting in spiral rounds without increases. Work as many rounds as needed to reach the point just before your hips begin to taper.
Finish the last round so that the end aligns with the waistband seam at the center back. For the small size in the tutorial I crocheted 7 rounds - total 29 rounds on the body.
Decreasing and Ruffles
From here on you will be making ruffles and decreases (decreases only in hdc rounds!).
Round 28 (30, 32, 34, 36, 38) (Ruffle): slst flo in the 1st st, ch 2, 3 dc flo in the same st and in every st around. Slst in the 1st dc to join. Slst to the previous round on the WS, you’ll be working in the back loop of the previous round.
All hdc rounds will be worked in spiral rounds from here and you’ll be making decreases: place stitch markers at the left and right corners—these mark where you'll decrease.
Round 29 (31, 33, 35, 37, 39) and 30 (32, 34, 36, 38, 40): ch 1, hdc until you reach the 1st st marker, hdc2tog, hdc until you reach the 2nd st marker, hdc2tog, hdc until the end of the round.
Repeat rounds 28 (30, 32, 34, 36, 38) (Ruffle) and rounds 29 (31, 33, 35, 37, 39) - 30 (32, 34, 36, 38, 40) 8 more times.
To adjust the skirt’s length, simply add or subtract rounds in this section. Just make sure the last two rounds are hdc rounds.
Finish off.
Drawstring
Make a drawstring for the waistband: ch enough to wrap around your waist with room to tie. Fasten off, then weave it through the top edge of the waistband from the inside, so it stays hidden when worn.
Please don't copy, redistribute, or resell my pattern in any way.
You may sell your own finished product.
However, I ask that you credit me by adding my website link so other makers can find me.
You may not use my pictures and pass them off as your own for they are my property.
Thanks for understanding.
©️ Loops Only, Karmen Režek
Thank you! ✨
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