Easy Crochet Mesh Skirt: Free Written Pattern + Video Tutorial

If you’ve been looking for a crochet skirt pattern that actually looks gorgeous, works up faster than you’d expect, and doesn’t require you to be an advanced crocheter to pull off, this is the one. The Easy Crochet Mesh Skirt is a project I am so excited to share with you today — it’s breezy, beautiful, and completely beginner-friendly once you get the hang of the mesh stitch pattern. Whether you’re making it as a beach cover-up, a boho festival skirt, or just a chic everyday piece to throw over leggings or bike shorts, this skirt delivers every single time.

I’ve put together a full free written pattern right here in this post, and if you’re more of a visual learner, be sure to head over to my YouTube channel @playful.regal to watch the full step-by-step video tutorial. I’ll walk you through everything from the foundation chain all the way to the waistband finish, so you’ll never feel lost. Let’s get into it.

What Makes This Pattern Special

The magic of this skirt is in the open mesh construction. The combination of chain spaces and double crochets creates a lacy, airy fabric that drapes beautifully and has a natural stretch to it — meaning one size can fit a range of bodies, which is always a win. The skirt is worked in the round from the waist down, so there are no seams to sew and no complicated shaping to navigate. You just work your rounds, add some increases at strategic points to create the A-line flare, and finish off with a simple waistband casing for elastic.

This pattern is also incredibly customizable. Want a mini skirt? Stop early. Want a maxi? Just keep going. Want more flare? Add increases more frequently. This is one of those patterns that becomes a true staple in your crochet repertoire once you make it the first time.

Skill Level

Beginner to Easy Intermediate. If you’re comfortable with chaining, double crochet, and working in the round, you have everything you need. The mesh stitch will feel new if you haven’t worked it before, but it’s genuinely one of the easiest stitch patterns to learn — and once the rhythm clicks, it practically flies off your hook.

Materials You’ll Need

Before we dive into the pattern, let’s talk supplies. Here’s what you’ll need to make this skirt:

Yarn: You’ll want a lightweight yarn for this project — a DK weight or light worsted works beautifully for drape and breathability. Cotton or a cotton blend is ideal for warm-weather wear since it keeps the garment breathable and gives it that lovely soft structure. You can also use a bamboo blend or even a lightweight linen yarn if you want a more elevated, textured look. For a midi-length skirt, plan on approximately 400–600 yards depending on your size. For a maxi length, you may need upward of 800 yards.

Hook: A 4.0mm to 5.0mm crochet hook, depending on your tension and your yarn weight. I used a 4.5mm hook for the sample you’ll see in the video tutorial. Always swatch first — this is especially important for garments.

Other supplies: A yarn needle for weaving in ends, scissors, a measuring tape, stitch markers, and approximately one inch of elastic for the waistband. The width of your elastic is up to you — a half-inch elastic gives a softer look, while a one-inch elastic gives more structure and a more defined waist.

Optional: Locking stitch markers are incredibly helpful for tracking your round starts when working in the round.

Sizing

This pattern is written as a size-inclusive design. The foundation chain determines your starting circumference, so you’ll customize from the very beginning. Here are the suggested starting chain counts for each size:

XS/S (24–30 inch waist): Chain 120
M/L (30–38 inch waist): Chain 148
XL/2X (38–46 inch waist): Chain 176
3X/4X (46–54 inch waist): Chain 204

These starting chains are based on working with a 4.5mm hook at standard tension. Please make a gauge swatch before beginning.

Gauge: 14 double crochets and 8 rows = 4 inches in double crochet with a 4.5mm hook.

Abbreviations

Here are the abbreviations used throughout this pattern:

ch — chain
sl st — slip stitch
dc — double crochet
ch-2 sp — chain 2 space
sp — space
sk — skip
rep — repeat
st — stitch
beg — beginning
rnd — round

Pattern Notes

This skirt is worked in the round from the top (waist) down. The foundation chain joins to form a ring, and rounds are worked continuously. You’ll want to place a stitch marker at the beginning of each round to keep track of where you are.

The mesh pattern creates natural drape and stretch. Do not crochet too tightly — a slightly looser tension will give you the best results for the open mesh fabric.

The waistband is worked last as a simple ribbing or fold-over casing. Instructions for both options are included below.

If you’re adjusting length, every two rounds of mesh adds approximately one inch of length with DK weight yarn.

The Pattern

Foundation Chain

Using your chosen yarn and hook size, chain the appropriate number for your size (see sizing section above). Be careful not to twist the chain, and join with a slip stitch to the first chain to form a ring. Chain 3 (this counts as your first double crochet throughout the pattern).

Foundation Round: Double crochet in each chain around. Join with a slip stitch to the top of the beginning chain 3. This gives you a solid base round that stabilizes the top edge of the skirt before the mesh begins.

You should have the same number of double crochets as your starting chain count.

Mesh Body Section

Now we begin the mesh pattern. This is worked in a simple repeat of (dc, ch 2, skip 2, dc) that creates the open lacy grid of the skirt. The beauty of this stitch is that once you understand the repeat, you don’t need to count every single stitch — you just follow the pattern visually.

Round 1 (Mesh Setup Round):
Chain 5. Skip the first 2 stitches. Double crochet in the next stitch, chain 2, skip 2 stitches. Repeat from around. Join with a slip stitch to the 3rd chain of the beginning chain 5.

Round 2 and All Following Mesh Rounds:
Slip stitch into the first chain 2 space. Chain 5. Double crochet in the next chain 2 space, chain 2. Repeat from around. Join with a slip stitch to the 3rd chain of the beginning chain 5.

Repeat Round 2 for the full length of the skirt body. This is your basic mesh repeat, and you’ll work this round over and over until you reach your desired length minus the flare increase rounds and the hem.

Adding the A-Line Flare

The A-line shape comes from working increase rounds at regular intervals throughout the skirt. In an increase round, instead of working one double crochet into each chain 2 space, you work two double crochets into some of those spaces, adding extra chain 2 sections that widen the circumference of the skirt.

Increase Round:
Slip stitch into the first chain 2 space. Chain 5. Double crochet in the same space (increase made), chain 2. Double crochet in the next chain 2 space, chain 2. Repeat from for 7 more spaces. Then double crochet in the next space, chain 2, double crochet in the same space (increase made), chain 2. Continue the pattern, working an increase approximately every 8 to 10 spaces around. Join at the end of the round.

You’ll work an increase round approximately every 6 to 8 regular mesh rounds depending on how much flare you want. For a subtle A-line, work increase rounds every 8 mesh rounds. For a more dramatic skirt flare, work increase rounds every 5 to 6 mesh rounds.

As you continue down the skirt and the circumference grows, space your increases out a bit more so the flare stays graceful rather than becoming ruffled. For a truly ruffled hem effect, you can do the opposite and increase more aggressively in the final several rounds — this is a wonderful design detail if you’re going for a more romantic, boho style.

Length Guidelines

Here’s a general guide for how many rounds you’ll need for different skirt lengths, worked in DK weight yarn with a 4.5mm hook:

Mini skirt (10–12 inches): Approximately 18–22 mesh rounds
Midi skirt (20–24 inches): Approximately 38–46 mesh rounds
Maxi skirt (30–34 inches): Approximately 56–64 mesh rounds

These are approximate and will vary based on your tension, so measure as you go with a flexible tape measure.

Hem Finish

Once you’ve reached your desired length, it’s time to finish the hem. You have two options here:

Option 1 — Simple Shell Hem:
Join yarn at any chain 2 space. Chain 3. Work 4 double crochets into the same space. Skip the next dc and chain 2 space. Work 5 double crochets (a shell) into the next chain 2 space. Skip the next section. Repeat from around. Join with a slip stitch to the top of the beginning chain 3. Fasten off and weave in ends.

This gives the hem a scalloped, decorative edge that looks incredibly finished and elegant.

Option 2 — Simple Slip Stitch Hem:
If you prefer a cleaner, more minimal edge, simply work one round of slip stitches through each chain 2 space and double crochet around. This keeps the edge flat and tidy without adding extra volume.

Waistband

The waistband is what turns this piece from a beautiful fabric tube into a wearable garment. We’re going to create a fold-over casing for your elastic.

Step 1: Turn the skirt inside out or work with the wrong side facing you. At the top of the skirt (the foundation round edge), join your yarn.

Step 2: Chain 1. Single crochet around the entire top edge of the skirt. You want this row to be firm and even — it creates the base of your casing.

Step 3: Continue working single crochet rows back and forth (or in the round if you prefer) for approximately 1.5 inches. This gives you a casing wide enough to thread your elastic through.

Step 4: Cut your elastic to your actual waist measurement (not your ease measurement — elastic should be snug against your waist, so measure your body directly). Thread the elastic through the casing using a safety pin to guide it.

Step 5: Overlap the ends of the elastic by about half an inch and sew them together securely with a needle and thread.

Step 6: Fold the casing down over the elastic to the inside of the skirt and whipstitch or slip stitch the bottom edge of the casing to the inside of the skirt body, enclosing the elastic completely. Fasten off and weave in all ends.

Alternatively, if you want a simpler waistband, you can just fold the first inch of the skirt over to the inside, pin it, and whipstitch it down, leaving a small opening to thread the elastic through before closing it up. Both methods work beautifully.

Tips for Success

Swatch before you start. I know, I know — swatching feels like extra work when you just want to dive in. But for a garment, an inch off in gauge translates to several inches off in your finished skirt. Fifteen minutes of swatching saves you hours of frustration.

Block your finished skirt. Wet blocking a cotton or cotton blend skirt makes an enormous difference. It evens out any tension irregularities, opens up the mesh beautifully, and makes the skirt look truly polished and professional. Simply soak it in cool water, gently squeeze out the excess (never wring), and lay it flat to dry.

Don’t skip the solid base round. That first solid row of double crochet at the top of the skirt is doing important work. It stabilizes the edge and gives your waistband casing a clean, even surface to attach to. If you skip it and go straight into mesh, the top edge will be flimsy and difficult to work with.

Use stitch markers generously. Place a stitch marker at the beginning of each round, but also consider placing one at every quarter of the skirt circumference when you start so you can easily spot your increase placement points.

The mesh pattern is very forgiving. If you go slightly off in your count, the open structure of the mesh makes it almost invisible once the skirt is worn. Don’t panic over a small inconsistency.

Styling Ideas

The mesh skirt is one of the most versatile crochet garments you can make. Here are some ways to wear it:

Style it over a slip dress or a satin mini skirt for a layered, bohemian look that feels effortlessly put-together. Pair the mini version over bike shorts and a cropped tank for a sporty-chic summer outfit. Wear the maxi version over a swimsuit as a beach cover-up that doubles as an actual skirt once you leave the sand. Layer it over a bodysuit and platform sandals for a festival look that will absolutely turn heads. And of course, for a cozy fall-into-winter transition outfit, a neutral mesh skirt over fleece-lined leggings with ankle boots is a combination that never gets old.

Watch the Video Tutorial

If reading through the pattern feels like a lot, please don’t feel overwhelmed. Head over to @playful.regal on YouTube and watch the full tutorial video where I work through every single step in real time. I demonstrate the mesh stitch setup, show you how to work the increase rounds, walk you through the hem and waistband options, and give you tips on blocking and finishing. Seeing the stitches in motion makes everything click so much faster, and you can pause, rewind, and work at your own pace right alongside me.

If you have questions, drop them in the comments on the video — I read every single one and try to respond as quickly as I can. The crochet community there is also incredibly helpful, so don’t be shy about jumping in.

Share Your Makes

I genuinely love seeing what you create. When you finish your skirt, please tag me on Instagram or TikTok at @playful.regal and use the hashtag #playfulregalcrochet so I can find your post and share it. There is nothing that makes my day quite like seeing someone wear something they made with their own hands — it’s such a reminder of why I love this craft.

Whether this is your first crochet garment or your fiftieth, I hope this skirt brings you as much joy to make as it does to wear. Happy hooking, and I’ll see you in the next one.