Folk Border Moss Stitch Skirt Free Crochet Pattern

Introduction

This folk border moss stitch skirt is a cozy, wearable project for anyone who loves textured fabric and a little handmade charm. Worked flat in two simple panels, it uses the moss (linen) stitch in a soft tweed wool to create a dense, nubby fabric that feels warm and looks wonderfully rustic. The butter yellow body is finished with a wide white hem band and seven tiny crocheted diamonds appliquéd above it, giving the skirt a sweet folk-art feel. Side slits at the lower edge make it easy to walk in, and an elastic waistband keeps it comfortable for everyday wear.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: DK weight tweed wool, approx. 250 m / 273 yd per 100 g skein.
  • Color A (butter yellow): approx. 500 (600, 700, 800) g / 1250 (1500, 1750, 2000) m
  • Color B (white): approx. 100 g / 250 m
• Hook: 4.0 mm (US G-6)
• Notions: Tapestry needle, stitch markers, tape measure, 2 cm wide elastic (enough to fit your waist plus 2 cm overlap), sewing needle and thread.
• Finished size: To fit waist 70 (80, 90, 100) cm / 27.5 (31.5, 35.5, 39.5) in; hip 95 (105, 115, 125) cm / 37.5 (41.5, 45.5, 49) in; length 55 (57, 59, 61) cm / 21.5 (22.5, 23, 24) in including the 12 cm / 4.75 in white hem band.

Abbreviations

• ch – chain
• sc – single crochet
• sk – skip
• sp(s) – space(s)
• st(s) – stitch(es)
• inc – increase (work 2 sc in the same stitch)
• dec – decrease (work 2 sc together)
• RS / WS – right side / wrong side
• rep – repeat
• rnd – round

Gauge

18 sts x 18 rows = 10 x 10 cm / 4 x 4 in in moss stitch (alternating sc and ch 1). Work a small swatch and measure it before starting; if your gauge differs, change hook size until it matches.

Tips Before You Start

• Moss stitch grows slightly after blocking, so check your panel length against the measurements after a light steam rather than on the hook.
• Keep your ch-1 spaces loose and even — tight chains make the fabric stiff and pull the skirt narrower than intended.
• Mark the first stitch of every row with a stitch marker so you never lose count at the edges.
• Make both panels at the same time if you can, alternating rows, so your tension stays consistent between the two.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Panels (make 2, Color A)

Row 1: With A, ch 86 (96, 106, 116). Sc in 2nd ch from hook, [ch 1, sk 1, sc in next] to end, turn (43 (48, 53, 58) sc, 42 (47, 52, 57) ch-1 sps).

Row 2: Ch 1, sc in first sc, [ch 1, sk ch-1 sp, sc in next sc] to end, turn (43 (48, 53, 58) sc, 42 (47, 52, 57) ch-1 sps).

Rows 3–end of body: Rep Row 2 until panel measures 43 (45, 47, 49) cm / 17 (17.75, 18.5, 19.25) in from start, ending on a WS row.

Hem Band (Color B)

Next rows: Change to B and continue in moss stitch (same as Row 2) for 12 cm / 4.75 in. Fasten off. Make a second panel the same way.

Diamonds (make 7, Color B)

Row 1: Ch 2, 3 sc in 2nd ch from hook (3 sts).

Row 2: Ch 1, inc in each sc (6 sts).

Row 3: Ch 1, [sc, inc] x3 (9 sts).

Row 4: Ch 1, sc in each sc (9 sts).

Row 5: Ch 1, [sc, dec] x3 (6 sts).

Row 6: Ch 1, dec x3 (3 sts). Fasten off, leaving a 20 cm tail for sewing.

Waistband (Color A)

Row 1: With A, work 1 row of sc evenly around the waist edge (approx. 72 (82, 92, 102) sc).

Rows 2–3: Ch 1, sc in each sc across (approx. 72 (82, 92, 102) sc). Fasten off, leaving a long tail for seaming.

Edging (Color B)

Rnd 1: With B, work 1 rnd of sc around each side slit and around the lower hem edge, working 1 sc in each st and 2 sc in each corner. Fasten off.

Assembly and Finishing

Block both panels to the measurements given and let them dry fully. With RS facing, join the side seams from the hem upward 30 (31, 32, 33) cm / 11.75 (12.25, 12.5, 13) in, leaving the lower 13 (14, 15, 16) cm / 5 (5.5, 6, 6.25) in open on each side as walking slits. Sew the short ends of the waistband together to form a tube, then fold it to the inside and stitch down, leaving a small opening. Thread the 2 cm wide elastic through the casing, overlap the ends by 2 cm, stitch closed, and sew the opening shut. Pin the 7 diamonds evenly spaced across the white hem band, about 2 cm / 0.75 in above the lower edge, centered on the front and back panels, and whipstitch them in place with B. Weave in all ends. Steam lightly to settle the stitches, avoiding the appliqués.

Pro Tips and Variations

• Swap the white hem band for a contrasting rust or charcoal for a bolder folk look, or work the diamonds in the same color as the body for a subtle tone-on-tone effect.
• For a longer, warmer skirt, add extra moss stitch rows to the body before starting the hem band — just remember to buy extra yarn.
• If you prefer a flat front, replace the elastic casing with a simple sc waistband and add a hidden hook-and-eye closure at the side seam.