Free Cable Knit Skirt Pattern for Children: The Grace Skirt
A free cable knit skirt pattern for children, sized newborn to teen, ideal for everyday wear, matching sets, and thoughtful handmade gifts.
The Grace Skirt is a free cable knit skirt pattern for children, designed for sizes 0–3 months through 13/14 years. This pattern features a classic cable panel, a gentle circle-style shape, and a comfortable elastic waistband hidden inside a hemmed casing. Knit in Hobbii Jade yarn using size 5 and size 7 circular needles, the skirt balances texture with comfort and durability. A 1×1 ribbed bottom edge adds stretch and a clean finish, making it practical for everyday wear. The Grace Skirt is designed to pair seamlessly with the Grace Turtleneck Sweater, creating a coordinated outfit, but it also works beautifully as a standalone piece. This pattern is well suited for knitters who want a timeless, wearable garment that grows with a child and gets worn again and again.
Why did I design the Grace Skirt?
I wanted a skirt that felt classic and wearable, not overly fussy or limited to special occasions. The Grace Skirt was designed to move well, feel comfortable, and still look polished. Kids need clothing that keeps up with them, and this skirt does exactly that.
It was also important to me that this pattern could be part of a larger handmade wardrobe. The Grace Skirt was designed to coordinate perfectly with the Grace Turtleneck Sweater, making it easy to create a full matching outfit without extra math or adjustments. If you enjoy building mix-and-match pieces, you’ll also find other skirt designs on my free skirt knitting patterns page, which is a great place to browse similar projects.
What does the Grace Skirt include?
The Grace Skirt is a circular-style knit skirt worked in the round with a centered cable motif and a flexible waistband.
Finished item: A gently flared knit skirt with a ribbed hem
Skill level: Adventurous beginner to intermediate
Construction style: Top-down in the round with a hemmed elastic waistband
The shaping creates a comfortable fit without excess bulk, making it easy for kids to wear throughout the day.
What materials do I need to knit this skirt?
All of the materials used for the Grace Skirt are easy to find and beginner friendly.
- Hobbii Jade yarn (affiliate link) – Provides excellent stitch definition for cables and holds up well for children’s clothing.
- Size 7 circular knitting needles – Used for the main skirt body and cable sections. I used KnitPicks needles for this project (affiliate link).
- Size 5 circular knitting needles – Used for the waistband and 1×1 ribbed hem.
- Elastic for waistband (affiliate link) – Sewn into the casing for comfort and adjustability.
- Stitch markers – Helpful for marking cable placement and round beginnings.
- Yarn needle – For finishing and securing the waistband casing.
These materials are referenced throughout the pattern to guide you step by step.
How does the Grace Skirt fit?
The elastic waistband allows the skirt to sit comfortably at the waist while offering flexibility for growing kids. This makes the skirt especially forgiving if you’re knitting for a child whose measurements you don’t know exactly.
The circular shaping creates a gentle flare that moves nicely without feeling heavy or bulky.
What sizes does this cable knit skirt pattern for children include?
The Grace Skirt includes sizes from 0–3 months through 13/14 years. This wide size range makes it a great pattern to revisit as kids grow.
If you enjoy knitting skirts for kids, you might also like the Sophia Skirt and Ruth Skirt, both of which offer different textures and silhouettes while still being practical for everyday wear.
Why did I choose Hobbii Jade yarn?
Hobbii Jade (affiliate link) was chosen for its balance of softness and structure. It shows off cables beautifully and creates a fabric that holds its shape without feeling stiff. This makes it ideal for skirts, which need both drape and durability.
Using the same yarn for the matching Grace Turtleneck Sweater helps create a cohesive set, especially if you’re knitting an outfit rather than a single piece.
What gauge should I pay attention to?
Gauge is especially important at the waistband and upper skirt. A loose gauge can affect fit, while a tight gauge can limit stretch.
Be sure to check gauge after working the cable pattern, not just stockinette. Adjust needle size as needed to maintain a comfortable drape.
Can I substitute yarn or needles?
Yes. You can substitute a similar yarn with good stitch definition, but always swatch first. The skirt relies on structure and drape, so gauge matters.
Circular needles are required, though needle brand is flexible. Elastic width can also be adjusted based on what you have available but stick close to the recommended width.
What techniques are used in this pattern?
This pattern includes:
- Knitting in the round
- 1×1 ribbing
- Basic cable stitches
- Simple shaping increases
- Sewing a hemmed waistband
- Inserting elastic
If you’re newer to cables, this is a great pattern to try them in a manageable way. If you need extra help, the knitting tutorials page on my site includes step-by-step guides for many of the techniques used in this skirt.
When and how can this skirt be worn?
The Grace Skirt works well for many situations.
It’s great for:
- Everyday outfits
- School or church wear
- Family photos
- Holiday gatherings
- Handmade gifts
Pair it with the Grace Turtleneck Sweater for a full outfit, or mix it with simple tops for everyday wear. It layers easily with tights or leggings in cooler weather.
What questions do knitters often ask about this pattern?
No. The yarn is very light despite being worsted and it has enough structure to hold its shape without feeling bulky.
Yes. Length is easy to customize by adding or removing rounds before the ribbing.
Basic familiarity helps, but the cables are straightforward and well explained in the abbreviations.
The elastic is knit into a casing for a clean, secure finish.
Yes. The flexible waistband makes gifting much easier.
What should I know before starting?
Take your time with the waistband and your gauge swatch. Those steps make the biggest difference in how the finished skirt fits and wears.
Grace Skirt Free 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) 3, 4, (4, 5) balls of Hobbii Jade 328yds/100g, yarn needle, stitch markers, 1yd of 1.5in or 4cm wide elastic
Needle Size: 7(US) 4.5mm circular needles and dpn, 5(US) 3.75mm circular and dpn
Gauge (tension): 22.5sts & 28 rows to make 10cm square, using size 7(US) 4.5mm needles working in the charted stitch pattern
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
Grace Skirt is top-down seamless skirt in a fluffy and soft yarn. Created for our 8th child she requested a skirt to match Grace Sweater and with that, Grace Skirt was born.
Abbreviations can be found on the last page.
Note: choose size based on waist measurement for best fit
Row 1 – k6, p1, k6, p1
Row 2 – k6, p1, k6, p1
Row 3 – k6, p1, k6, p1
Row 4 – k6, p1, k6, p1
Row 5 – k6, p1, k6, p1
Row 6 – k6, p1, k6, p1
Row 7 – k6, p1, k6, p1
Row 8 – k6, p1, k6, p1
Row 9 – cb3/3, p1, cf3/3, p1
Row 10 – k6, p1, k6, p1
WAIST
Cast on using smallest circular needle: 84, 91 (105, 112) 112, 119 (119, 126) 133, 140 (140, 147) sts.
Join in the round.
Work in stockinette (knit every round) until work measures 3.5ins or 9cms from cast on.
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.
WAISTBAND JOIN
With largest needles, knit around, each time combining one st from the cast on and one st from your needles. (For a left-handed tutorial of this click here. Even if you are right handed, I promise this will help you))
SKIRT SHAPING
Set-up round – knit around
Increase Round – [k1, m1] around [168, 182 (210, 224) 224, 238 (238, 252) 266, 280 (280, 294) sts]
SKIRT BODY
Work in charted stitch pattern until skirt measures 5, 6 (7, 8) 8.5, 9.5 (11.5, 13) 15, 17 (19, 21) or (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.
EDGING
Work in a 1×1 rib for 1, 1 (1, 1) 1.25, 1.25 (1.25, 1.25) 1.5, 1.5 (1.5, 1.5) ins or 2.5, 2.5 (2.5, 2.5) 3, 3 (3, 3) 4, 4 (4, 4)cms.
Bind off in pattern. (I used an Italian Bind Off but you can use any bind off you prefer)
FINISHING
Weave in all ends and block.
ABBREVIATIONS
cb3/3 – place the next 3 stitches on a cable needle and hold in back, knit the next 3 stitches, knit the 3 stitches on the cable needle
cf3/3 – place the next 3 stitches on a cable needle and hold in front, knit the next 3 stitches, knit the 3 stitches on the cable needle
K – knit
M1 – With left needle pick up strand between 2 stitches front to back. Knit through back loop
P – purl
PM – place marker
SM – slip marker
Grace Skirt Free PDF
What are you planning to knit?
If you’re making the Grace Skirt, I’d love to know how you’re using it. Are you pairing it with the Grace Sweater, knitting a gift, or adding it to everyday rotation? Leave a comment and tell me what size or yarn color you’re choosing.
Affiliate disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you choose to purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
The post Free Cable Knit Skirt Pattern for Children: The Grace Skirt appeared first on The Knit in the Womb Blog.
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