Recently a friend gave me a stack of old needlecraft magazines from the ’70s and ’80s. Most of the patterns are hilariously hideous, but there are a few that are pretty classic.
I’m more of a hat, scarf and mittens type of crocheter, but I was intrigued by a crochet chevron skirt from a 1981 magazine. This pattern I haven’t yet attempted, but I think it’s the only crochet clothing I’d be willing to wear (and not just on Halloween).
I’ve transcribed the pattern with the hopes that someday I will reference this post and actually make it. But if any of my readers attempt it before I do, please email me a photo of the finished product!
Retro Crochet Chevron Skirt
Sizes:
To fit 36-38 [40-42]-inch hips.
Length when hanging 26.75 inches
Materials:
Total of 16 [22] oz. (450 [600] grams) of worsted yarn (about 6 oz. each for colors A,B,C,D)
Size F crochet hook
1-inch wide elastic
7-inch zipper
needle and thread
Gauge:
15dc and 7.5 rows to 4 inches in plain dc; 17dc to 4 inches in chevron
Back and front (make 2)
Using A, make 148[172] ch.
Base Row: 1 dc into 4th ch from hook, 1dc into each of next 10ch, work 3dc tog. Over next 3ch, 1 dc into each of next 10ch, 3dc into next ch, repeat from * to end, but finish last repeat 2dc into last ch instead of 3dc. Turn. 145 [169] dc.
Next Row: 3ch to count as 1dc, 1dc into first dc, *1dc into each of next 10dc, work 3dc together, 1 dc into each of next 10dc, 3dc into next dc, repeat from * to end, but finish last repeat 2dc into turning ch of previous row and join B on last dc. Turn.
Repeat the last row, working 2 rows each in B, C, D, A, B, C and D and join A on last dc – so completing 16 rows from the beginning.
1st decrease row: Using A, work 3ch, skip first dc, 1dc into each of next 10dc, * work 3dc together, 1dc into each of next 21dc, repeat from * to end, but finish last repeat 1dc into each of last 1dc. Turn.
Next row: 3ch, 1dc into first dc, * 1dc into each of next 9dc, work 3dc together, 1dc into each of next 9dc, 3dc into next dc, repeat from * to end, but finish last repeat 2dc into last dc, and joint B on last dc. Turn. Using B, repeat the last row twice more, joining C on last dc of second row.
2nd decrease row: Using C, work 3ch 1 dc into each of next 9dc, * work 3dc together, 2dc into each of next 19dc, repeat from * to end, but finish last repeat 1dc into each of last 10dc. Turn.
Next row: 3ch, 1dc into first dc, *1dc into each of next 8dc, work 3dc together, 1dc into each of next 8dc, 3dc into next dc, repeat from * to end, but finish last repeat 2dc into last dc, and join D on last dc. Turn. Using D, repeat the last row twice more, joining A on last dc of second row.
3rd decrease row: Using A, work 3ch, skip first dc, 1dc into each of next 8dc, * work 3dc together, 1dc into each of next 17dc, repeat from * to end, but finish last repeat 1dc into each of last 9dc. Turn.
Next row: 3ch, 1dc into first dc, *1dc into each of next 7dc, work 3dc together, 1dc into each of next 7dc, 3dc into next dc, repeat from * to end, but finish last repeat 2dc into last dc, and join B on last dc. Turn.
Continue in this way, working in stripe sequence and patters as now set, decreasing on every 4th row, as before until 61 [71] dc remain.
Work 7 rows, so ending 2 rows in D, joining A on last dc of 3rd row.
Next row: Using A, work 1 ch, skip first dc, *sc into next dc, 1hdc into each of next 2dc, 1dc into each of next 3dc, 1hdc into each of next 2dc, 1sc into next dc, repeat from * to end, finishing 1sc into last dc. Turn.
Work 4 rows in sc. Fasten off.
To Finish:
Do not block. Using a backstitch seam, join side seams leaving 7 inches from top edge open. Sew in the zipper. Work catch stitch casing over elastic on wrong side at waist. Press seams lightly according to type of yarn used.
Alaska Knit Nat 