Looking for a fun and twirly children’s knitted skirt pattern? Check out my favorite designs on the skirt pattern page, with the Sophia Skirt featured at the bottom!
There’s just something so satisfying about finishing up a project and watching your kiddo do a happy twirl in it, right? I’ve designed a lot of things over the years, but a good children’s knitted skirt pattern always holds a special place in my heart—especially when it’s as sweet and wearable as the Sophia Skirt.
In this post, I’m chatting all things skirts: how I knit the Sophia Skirt, why I love KnitPicks Heatherly Sport (affiliate link), and where you can find even more children’s knitted skirt patterns to try out. So grab your circular needles and your favorite yarn snack (mine’s coffee), and let’s talk skirts!
Why I’m Obsessed with a Good Children’s Knitted Skirt Pattern
Let’s be real. Kids in knit skirts? Adorable. Add in lace edging, soft yarn, and a waistband that actually stays put thanks to elastic, and you’ve got a winner. When I sat down to design the Sophia Skirt, I had a checklist:
- Easy enough to knit while binge-watching my favorite YouTube videos
- Twirly enough to satisfy my skirt-loving girls
- Pretty enough to gift or photograph
- Practical enough for playground duty
And yes, this children’s knitted skirt pattern checks all the boxes.
The Sophia Skirt: A Practical Yet Pretty Skirt for All Ages
Let’s talk details! The Sophia Skirt is worked from the bottom up, and starts with a sweet little lace detail that adds just the right amount of charm without being over-the-top frilly. It’s got that perfect mix of fancy and wearable—which, let’s be honest, is a rare combo.
Once you’re past the lace, it’s smooth sailing in stockinette stitch, and then the waistband is finished off with size 3 circular needles and a folded casing for the elastic. You’ll want to use size 5 circular needles for the body and lace and switch down to the size 3s for that waistband (yes, I linked the ones I used below—affiliate link!).
This children’s knitted skirt pattern includes sizes from 0-3 months all the way up to 13/14 years, so whether you’re knitting for a tiny newborn or a kid who’s almost taller than you, there’s a size that’ll work.
Yarn Talk: KnitPicks Heatherly Sport (affiliate link)
If you’ve been around here long, you know I love a good squishy yarn—and KnitPicks Heatherly Sport (affiliate link) has been a go-to for kid-friendly garments lately. It’s soft, light, and washes up beautifully (which matters when your skirt model is likely to wear it to dig in the sandbox or have a snack-heavy tea party).
This children’s knitted skirt pattern really benefits from a yarn that has some bounce and drape without feeling heavy, and Heatherly Sport (affiliate link) delivers. I also love how well the stitch definition pops in the lace detail, especially after blocking. It’s the kind of yarn that makes you want to knit one in every color.
What You’ll Need for This Children’s Knitted Skirt Pattern
Here’s a quick list of supplies I used for the Sophia Skirt:
- Yarn: KnitPicks Heatherly Sport (affiliate link)
- Needles: Size 5 circular needles (for the body), size 3 circular needles (for the waistband)
- Elastic: Cut to the waist size of your intended wearer
- Tapestry needle and scissors: You know, the usual suspects
Everything comes together beautifully, and honestly, this children’s knitted skirt pattern is one of those patterns you’ll want to knit again and again.
Easy to Knit and Even Easier to Love
Let’s be honest—some patterns are beautiful but fussy, and some are easy but… kind of boring. This one hits that magical middle ground. It’s just interesting enough to keep you engaged, but not so complicated that you’ll be frogging lace rows while muttering under your breath.
You can absolutely knit this children’s knitted skirt pattern even if you’ve never done lace before. The pattern instructions walk you through it, and it’s just a few rows of simple repeats before you’re on to miles of relaxing stockinette.
And I have to say, watching your finished project go from “off the needles” to “worn and twirled” in about ten seconds flat? Never gets old.
More Children’s Knitted Skirt Patterns to Try
I’ve designed a whole collection of skirts for kids, and each one has its own charm. If you’re in the mood for some variety—or want to make one for each season—head over to the skirt pattern page where you’ll find other fabulous children’s knitted skirt patterns to cast on next.
Whether you like ruffles, ribbing, cables, or colorwork, there’s something for everyone. But don’t leave without scrolling to the bottom of this post for the Sophia Skirt, because I think it’s my favorite one yet.
My Final Thoughts on the Sophia Skirt
If you’ve been on the hunt for a children’s knitted skirt pattern that’s easy, cute, and practical, the Sophia Skirt might just become your go-to. It’s twirly, wearable, and loaded with charm—from the sweet lace hem to the stretchy elastic waistband.
Whether you’re knitting for your own little ones, gifting a handmade treasure, or just itching to try something new, I hope you love this pattern as much as I do.
Ready to make your own? Scroll down to grab the free Sophia Skirt pattern and get all the details you need to cast on!
And don’t forget to bookmark the skirt pattern page for even more children’s knitted skirt patterns you can knit next.
Sophia Skirt Pattern
MATERIALS AND INFO
Sizes: 0-3m, 3-6m (6-12m, 12m) 18m, 24m, (3/4, 5/6), 7/8, 9/10, (11/12, 13/14)yrs
Materials: Approximately 1, 2 (2, 2) 2, 2, (3, 3) 4, 4, (4, 5) balls of KnitPicks Heatherly (328yds, 100g), needle, stitch markers
Needle Size: 5(US) 3.75mm & 3(US) 3.25mm straight and dpn
Gauge (tension): 24sts & 32 rows to make 10cm square, using size 5(US) 3mm needles
Waist Measurement: 14, 16 (18, 19) 19.5, 20 (21, 22) 23, 24 (25, 26) ins or 35, 40 (45, 47.5) 49, 50 (52.5, 55) 57.5, 60 (62.5, 65) cm
METHOD
Child Sophia Skirt is bottom-up seamless skirt in a warm and soft yarn. Created for our 8th child, I wanted a fun and sweet skirt for her to wear in the spring.
Abbreviations can be found on the last page.
Note: choose size based on waist measurement for best fit
EDGE
Cast on 160, 190 (210, 230) 240, 250 (260, 270) 280, 290 (310, 320) using larger needles.
Set-up round – knit around
Round 1 – [yo, k3, sl1, k1, psso, k3, yo, k1] around
Round 2 – knit around
Round 3 – [k1, yo, k2, sl1, k1, psso, k2, yo, k2] around
Round 4 – knit around
Round 5 – [k2, yo, k1, sl1, k1, psso, k1, yo, k3] around
Round 6 – knit around
Round 7 – [k3, yo, sl1, k1, psso, yo, k4] around
Round 8 – knit around
Work rounds 1-8 one more time.
SKIRT BODY
Working in stockinette st knit until skirt measures 5, 6 (7, 8) 8.5, 9.5 (11.5, 13) 15, 17 (19, 21) (12.5, 15 (17.5, 20) 21, 23.5 (28.5, 32.5) 37.5, 42.5 (47.5, 52.5) cms from top or approximately 2ins or 5cms less than desired length.
SKIRT SHAPING
Decrease Round – [k2tog] around [80, 95 (105, 115) 120, 125 (130, 135) 140, 145 (155, 160) sts]
Switch to smaller needles and work in stockinette (knit every round) until work measures 3.5ins or 9cms from decrease round.
Bind off, leaving a long enough tail to sew down the waist.
ELASTIC WAISTBAND
Cut elastic 1in or 2.5 cms smaller than waist measurement. Sew the 2 ends together (it does not need to look pretty because it will not be seen so if your sewing skills aren’t awesome THAT’S OKAY!) Make sure it is not twisted, just as you do for a cast on joining in the round. Also make sure it is reinforced well.
FINISHING
Sew the waistband down by folding the bind off edge down toward the inside (wrong sides together) over the elastic. Weave in all ends and block.
ABBREVIATIONS
K – knit
P – purl
PM – place marker
SM – slip marker
K2tog -knit 2 stitches together
S1 – slip 1 stitch knitwise
PSSO – pass slipped stitch over the previous stitch that was k2tog
YO – yarn over
ST – stitch
STS – stitches
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