Part 1: Mini Skirt & Lover’s Knot Set Crochet Tutorial for Beginners | Kno Strings Attached

If you’ve been scrolling through Instagram or TikTok lately and spotted those dreamy, bohemian-style crochet sets that look like they belong on a sunlit beach boardwalk, you’re not alone. The lover’s knot stitch has been having a serious moment, and honestly, it’s easy to see why. It’s airy, romantic, and surprisingly simple once you get the hang of the rhythm. Today, we’re kicking off a brand-new series here on Kno Strings Attached with Part 1 of our Mini Skirt and Lover’s Knot Set tutorial — and yes, this one is made with beginners in mind.

Whether you’ve just picked up your first crochet hook or you’ve got a few simple projects under your belt, this tutorial is going to walk you through everything you need to know before you even make your first stitch. Think of this as your foundation post — the one you’ll bookmark and come back to before diving into each video or written step that follows. By the end of this series, you’ll have a stunning crochet mini skirt using the lover’s knot stitch (also called the Solomon’s knot stitch in some patterns) that you can wear to the farmers market, the beach, a summer festival, or honestly anywhere your free-spirited heart takes you.

Let’s get into it.

What Is the Lover’s Knot Stitch?

Before we talk yarn and hook sizes, let’s talk about the stitch that makes this whole project so special. The lover’s knot stitch — sometimes called Solomon’s knot — is a lacey, open stitch made by elongating a chain and locking it with a single crochet. The result is a delicate, net-like fabric that has an almost ethereal quality to it. It drapes beautifully, works up quickly once you understand the motion, and creates that boho mesh look that’s been everywhere in handmade fashion circles.

Here’s the thing about the lover’s knot that intimidates beginners: it doesn’t look like a “normal” crochet stitch. There’s no V-shaped post to look for, no obvious loop to insert your hook into. Instead, you’re working into the back loop of a single chain strand, which feels counterintuitive at first. But once that motion becomes muscle memory — and it will, usually after just a row or two — you’ll find yourself flying through it.

For our mini skirt set, the lover’s knot creates that beautiful open mesh that makes the skirt look lightweight and summery while still giving it enough structure to hold its shape as you wear it. It’s the perfect stitch for a beginner’s first wearable garment because there’s no complex shaping, no intricate colorwork, and no confusing construction — just a gorgeous, rhythmic stitch that grows into something stunning.

Why This Pattern Is Perfect for Beginners

A lot of beginner crochet patterns claim to be simple but then sneak in techniques that require you to already know what you’re doing. This one is different. Here’s why the Kno Strings Attached mini skirt and lover’s knot set is genuinely beginner-friendly.

The construction is worked in the round from the waistband down. That means you’re not seaming panels together, you’re not worrying about right sides and wrong sides in a complicated way, and you’re not doing any fancy invisible joins until you’re comfortable with them. You just go around and around, which is one of the most satisfying and meditative ways to crochet.

The stitch count is forgiving. Because the lover’s knot creates an open mesh, small inconsistencies in tension don’t show the way they would in, say, a solid single crochet fabric. If one of your knots is a little taller than the others, the lace nature of the fabric absorbs it. This gives beginners the grace they need to practice without feeling like every tiny mistake is on display.

The materials are minimal. You don’t need a huge stash or a massive investment to get started. This skirt works up beautifully in cotton yarn, which is affordable, widely available, and comes in every color imaginable. You’ll need one or two skeins depending on your size, one hook, a tapestry needle, and some elastic or ribbon for the waistband. That’s it.

And perhaps most importantly: this project produces real, wearable results. There is something incredibly powerful about finishing a crochet project you can actually put on your body and wear out into the world. It makes all the practice worth it in a way that dishcloths and swatches sometimes can’t.

Supplies You’ll Need

Let’s talk materials. Having the right supplies before you start makes the whole process smoother and more enjoyable. Here’s what you’ll want to gather for this project.

Yarn: For a lightweight, summery feel, a worsted weight or DK weight cotton yarn works beautifully for the lover’s knot stitch. Cotton has great drape and stitch definition, which means your knots will look crisp and intentional. If you want a softer, silkier drape, you can also try a cotton-bamboo blend or a lightweight cotton-acrylic blend. Avoid anything too fuzzy or bouclé for this project — the texture of those yarns hides the delicate structure of the stitch and makes it harder to see what you’re doing, especially as a beginner. For a mini skirt in a small to medium size, you’ll typically need around 400 to 600 yards, but we’ll get more specific with yardage estimates in a later part of the series when we break down sizing.

Hook: The hook size you use will depend on your yarn and your personal tension. A good starting point for a DK weight cotton is a 4.0 mm or 4.5 mm hook. For a worsted weight, try a 5.0 mm or 5.5 mm hook. Always, always swatch first. I know every crochet tutorial says this and every beginner tries to skip it, but for a wearable garment, swatching is genuinely worth your time. The lover’s knot stitch in particular can vary a lot depending on how tightly or loosely you crochet, and a few inches of difference in gauge can mean the difference between a mini skirt that fits and one that falls off your hips or won’t pull past your thighs.

Tapestry Needle: You’ll need this for weaving in your ends. A blunt-tipped tapestry needle with a large enough eye to thread your yarn is perfect.

Stitch Markers: Grab a few of these. When you’re working in the round with an open stitch like the lover’s knot, it can be easy to lose track of where your round begins and ends. Stitch markers are your best friends here.

Waistband Materials: For the waistband, you have a couple of options. You can use a simple fold-over elastic, which gives the skirt a clean, polished finish and makes it easy to pull on and off. Alternatively, you can crochet a waistband channel and thread a length of ribbon through it for a more decorative, bohemian look. We’ll cover both options in the later parts of this tutorial series.

Scissors: Always within reach.

Measuring Tape: Essential for checking your gauge swatch and your body measurements before you start.

Body Measurements and Sizing

One of the things that makes crocheting wearables feel a little scary for beginners is sizing. Unlike a scarf or a market bag, a skirt needs to actually fit your body. But don’t worry — we’re going to make this as straightforward as possible.

For this mini skirt pattern, you’ll need three key measurements: your waist circumference, your hip circumference, and your desired length. The skirt is designed to sit at the natural waist or just below it, so measure the smallest part of your midsection for your waist measurement. Then measure around the fullest part of your hips. And decide how long you want your skirt to be — for a mini length, somewhere between 12 and 18 inches from waist to hem is typical, depending on your height and personal preference.

In the next parts of this series, we’ll use these measurements to determine your starting chain count and your increase rounds. For now, just take your measurements and write them down somewhere you won’t lose them.

One thing worth noting: because the lover’s knot stitch creates an open mesh fabric, this skirt has a natural stretch and ease to it. This works in your favor when it comes to sizing — you don’t need to be as precise as you would with a structured fabric. But it also means you’ll want to pay attention to your waistband, because that’s where the fit really matters.

Understanding Lover’s Knot Stitch Notation

If you’ve looked at any lover’s knot patterns before, you may have noticed that the notation can seem a little different from what you’re used to seeing in basic crochet patterns. Let’s demystify it.

A lover’s knot is typically worked in two steps. First, you elongate a loop on your hook by pulling up a longer-than-usual chain — the length of this elongated chain determines the size of your knots and the openness of your mesh. Second, you work a single crochet into the back loop of that elongated chain, locking the knot in place.

In written patterns, you’ll often see this abbreviated as LK (for lover’s knot) or SK (for Solomon’s knot). Some patterns write it out step by step, and some assume you already know the motion. In our Kno Strings Attached tutorial series, we’ll write it out fully in the early parts so you always know exactly what to do, and as you get more comfortable with the stitch, we’ll start using the abbreviations for cleaner reading.

The joins between lover’s knots — the single crochets you work into the previous row’s knots — are where people often get confused. You’ll be working into the back loop of those locked single crochets, and finding those loops can take a little practice. In Part 2, we’ll do a full stitch breakdown with photos and step-by-step instructions so you can see exactly where to insert your hook.

How This Tutorial Series Is Structured

Since this is Part 1, it’s worth giving you a map of where we’re headed so you know what to expect and can follow along at your own pace.

Part 1 (this post) is your introduction — supplies, materials, sizing basics, and an overview of the stitch. Consider this your prep work before the real fun starts.

Part 2 will cover the lover’s knot stitch in detail. We’ll work through the motion step by step, talk about how to maintain consistent knot length, and practice the stitch in a small swatch before applying it to the skirt. If you’re brand new to this stitch, Part 2 is where the lightbulb moments happen.

Part 3 will cover the waistband and starting your skirt in the round. We’ll figure out your starting chain based on your measurements, work the foundation row, and get your first few rounds established.

Part 4 will cover the body of the skirt — working down from the waistband, adding any increases needed for hip shaping, and working toward your desired length.

Part 5 will cover the hem and finishing — any edging you want to add, how to weave in your ends cleanly, and how to assemble the waistband with elastic or ribbon.

If you’re making the full set (which includes a matching top or bralette), that will be covered in a separate mini-series that picks up after the skirt is complete. But you absolutely do not have to make the top — the skirt is stunning on its own and pairs beautifully with a simple tank, a linen blouse, or a crocheted halter you already have in your wardrobe.

Tips Before You Start

A few quick tips from someone who has made a lot of lover’s knot projects and learned these lessons the slightly painful way.

Practice the stitch before you commit to the skirt. Seriously. Grab some scrap yarn and spend 20 minutes just making lover’s knots until the motion feels natural. You’ll thank yourself later.

Keep your elongated chains consistent. The beauty of the lover’s knot mesh depends on each knot being roughly the same length. One trick that helps: before you pull up your elongated chain, decide on a visual reference — like pulling the loop up to the height of your hook handle — and use that same reference every time.

Don’t pull too tight. The lover’s knot stitch has a tendency to pucker if your tension is too tight. Keep your yarn hand relaxed and let the stitch breathe.

Lay your work flat periodically to check your progress. Because the mesh is open and stretchy, it can look uneven while you’re holding it, but it often evens out beautifully when laid flat. Don’t panic.

Take photos as you go. Not just for sharing on social media (though please do tag Kno Strings Attached — we love seeing your makes!), but because photos help you spot issues before they become big problems. If something looks off in a photo, you’ll catch it sooner than if you’re just looking at your work in your hands.

Let’s Get Ready to Crochet

There’s something really special about starting a new project, especially one that’s going to become something you wear and love. The mini skirt and lover’s knot set is one of those projects that people always ask about when they see you wearing it. “Did you make that?” Yes. Yes, you did.

Gather your supplies, take your measurements, and maybe wind your yarn into a cake if it came in a skein — you’ll thank yourself when you’re not chasing a rolling skein across the room mid-row. And if you haven’t already, follow along here on Kno Strings Attached so you don’t miss Part 2, where we’ll dive into the actual stitch work and get those needles moving.

This is just the beginning, and we are so glad you’re here for it. Whether this is your first crochet garment or your fiftieth, there’s something undeniably satisfying about making something beautiful with your own hands. And this skirt? It’s going to be absolutely worth it.

Stay tuned for Part 2, coming soon. Until then, happy crocheting.

Have questions before we get started? Drop them in the comments below. And if you’re already gathering your supplies, we’d love to know — what color are you making your skirt in? Share below and let’s get inspired together.