I’ve been working on this skirt design for almost a good two months. It is certainly not for someone looking for a crochet project with quick payoff with it’s thousands of tiny stitches in fingering weight yarn. I’ve tried to work as fast as I can as a stay at home mom with limited stitching time, taking it on a lot of car rides, working a couple minutes at a time between Hot Wheels races and Duplo towers. I’ve been pushing to get it done for the start of fall.

I decided to give in to the fact that this design is a time-consuming one and focus on something I really love when it comes to designing – the extra little details.

Over the years of crocheting, I’ve learned my preferred ways of finishing a hem or seam. Things like a row of stitches in back loops only to make a crocheted hem or seam mimic the ones on a sewn garment or a row of single crochet all along the edges of a garment to tidy them up.

This garment was inspired by button up, high-waisted skirts of the 40’s-60’s. It features a gathered-effect skirt with a tight-fitting waistband and working buttons all the way down the skirt. I have plans to add fabric re-enforcement along the buttonhole placket and a couple hook and eye closures beside the top button to take some tension off the button of the waistband. It will also have a couple slouchy, drawstring pockets sewn onto the front, which I’ve just started the process of attaching.

It’s been fun to go all in and work on a piece that, while many might not choose to make because of the time needed, I know I will love and be so proud of in the end, because I saw it through and added all the little details that will make it special, more wearable and long-lasting, and professional-looking. I can’t wait to share when it’s finished and washed and blocked.