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

If you’ve been scrolling through crochet content lately and stumbled across the most adorable mini skirt and crop top set made entirely with the lover’s knot stitch, you are in exactly the right place. This is Part 1 of the full crochet tutorial for the Mini Skirt & Lover’s Knot Set by Kno Strings Attached, and we are going to walk through everything you need to know before you pick up your hook and get started — from the materials list to understanding the lover’s knot stitch itself, so that by the time you sit down to crochet, you feel completely confident and ready to go.

Whether you are brand new to crochet or you’ve been crocheting for a little while and want to try something that looks advanced but is actually very approachable once you break it down, this tutorial is for you. The lover’s knot stitch has a reputation for looking incredibly intricate and delicate — almost like a woven mesh or a lacy fabric — but the truth is, it’s one of those stitches that becomes almost meditative once you get the hang of it. It’s repetitive in the best possible way, and the results are absolutely stunning.

Let’s dive in.

Who Is This Tutorial For?

Before anything else, let’s talk about skill level. This pattern is labeled beginner-friendly, but it does help to have a basic foundation in crochet. If you know how to hold a hook, make a slip knot, create a foundation chain, and work a basic single crochet, you have everything you need to follow along. The lover’s knot stitch is not a standard beginner stitch, but it is taught step by step in this tutorial series, so don’t let that intimidate you.

This set is designed as a two-piece matching outfit: a mini skirt and a coordinating top. Part 1 covers all the groundwork — yarn selection, hook size, gauge, the lover’s knot stitch breakdown, and tips to help you avoid the most common mistakes. The actual skirt construction begins in Part 2, so make sure to bookmark or save this post so you can come back and follow the series from beginning to end.

What Is the Lover’s Knot Stitch?

The lover’s knot stitch (also called the Solomon’s knot or the lover’s knot) is one of the most beautiful stitches in all of crochet. It creates an open, airy, netlike fabric that is perfect for warm-weather garments, beach cover-ups, skirts, tops, bags, and anything else where you want a breezy, lightweight texture.

The stitch is made up of two components that are repeated over and over: an elongated loop (sometimes called the “knot”) and a single crochet worked into the back thread of that loop. Together, these two steps form one lover’s knot unit, and when you stack rows of them, they link together in a diamond lattice pattern that looks like delicate lacework.

Here’s why this stitch is so perfect for a mini skirt and matching set:

The open mesh fabric it creates is incredibly lightweight and breathable, making it ideal for summer and resort wear. It drapes beautifully, which gives the skirt an elegant, flowy movement. The stitch is customizable in terms of how large or small you make your loops, which changes the scale of the entire piece. It photographs exceptionally well, which is why you see it everywhere on social media right now.

Materials You Will Need

Getting your materials sorted before you start is one of the most important steps in any crochet project, especially when you’re working on a garment. Substituting yarn without checking weight and fiber content can lead to a finished piece that doesn’t behave the way you expect. Here’s everything you’ll need for the Mini Skirt & Lover’s Knot Set:

Yarn: For this set, you want a lightweight, smooth yarn that will let the lover’s knot stitch really shine. A cotton or cotton-blend yarn in a size 3 (light DK) or size 2 (fine/sport) weight works beautifully. Cotton has great stitch definition and drape, which is exactly what you want for this type of open-work garment. If you prefer a little stretch, a cotton-acrylic blend gives you slightly more give while still maintaining that crisp, clean look.

For the color palette, the original Kno Strings Attached version features a gorgeous neutral — think off-white, cream, or a warm sand tone — but this set is stunning in virtually any color. Dusty rose, sage green, butter yellow, and classic white are all excellent choices. If you want to go bold, a rich terracotta or cobalt blue would be absolutely striking.

Hook Size: A 4.0mm crochet hook is a good starting point, but your gauge will determine whether you need to go up or down. More on gauge in just a moment.

Notions: You’ll also want a pair of sharp scissors, a yarn needle for weaving in ends, stitch markers (these are incredibly useful when working the lover’s knot stitch in rounds), a measuring tape, and a notebook or sticky note to jot down your stitch counts as you go.

Optional but helpful: A row counter or phone app to track your rows, blocking mats and pins if you’d like to block your finished piece (highly recommended for this stitch), and a printed or digital copy of the full pattern to follow along.

Yarn Quantity: How Much Do You Need?

This is always one of the top questions when starting a garment project, and the honest answer is that it depends on your size. As a general starting estimate for the full two-piece set, plan for approximately 400 to 700 yards of yarn depending on your measurements and how long you want your skirt to be. The mini skirt alone typically uses between 200 and 400 yards, and the top uses the remaining amount.

If you’re making a larger size or want a slightly longer skirt — maybe you prefer a midi-length version of this design — you’ll want to have extra yarn on hand. Always buy a little more than you think you need, especially if you’re working with a dye lot. Once a dye lot sells out, matching it exactly can be almost impossible, and even a slight color variation between skeins can show up in a finished garment.

Understanding Gauge and Why It Matters for Garments

Gauge is one of those topics that beginner crocheters sometimes skip over, and for small projects like dishcloths or scarves, you can often get away with it. For garments, though, gauge is everything. A slight difference in tension can mean the difference between a skirt that fits perfectly and one that’s several inches too big or too small.

The gauge for the lover’s knot stitch is measured a little differently than for standard stitches because the knots are elongated and the fabric is so open. For this pattern, you’ll work a gauge swatch using the lover’s knot stitch and measure a 4-inch by 4-inch square. Count the number of knot units across and the number of rows down. Compare this to the gauge given in the full pattern instructions.

If your swatch has more knot units than the pattern calls for in that 4-inch span, your tension is too tight — go up a hook size. If you have fewer knot units, your tension is too loose — go down a hook size.

A note on the lover’s knot specifically: the length of your elongated loop is the biggest variable in your gauge. The pattern will specify a target loop length (often around half an inch to three-quarters of an inch), and keeping your loops consistent is the key to even, beautiful fabric. This is something that takes a little practice, but you’ll find your rhythm quickly.

How to Make the Lover’s Knot Stitch: Step by Step

Now for the part you’ve been waiting for. Let’s break down the lover’s knot stitch into its simplest form so you can practice before you begin the actual pattern.

Step One: Start with a working loop on your hook. You’ll have your foundation chain done, or you’ll be working from the end of a previous row.

Step Two: Elongate your loop. Pull up on your working yarn to stretch the loop on your hook to your desired length. For this pattern, aim for a loop that’s approximately half an inch to three-quarters of an inch long. This elongated loop is the “knot.”

Step Three: Yarn over and pull through. Once your loop is the right length, yarn over and pull through that loop just as you would for a chain stitch. You now have a long chain with a thread running along the back of it — that back thread is called the “back loop” or “back thread,” and it’s where your next stitch will go.

Step Four: Work a single crochet into the back thread. Insert your hook under the back thread that runs along the back of your elongated knot. Yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over again, and pull through both loops on your hook. This is a standard single crochet, but because it’s worked into the back thread of the knot, it locks the knot in place and creates the characteristic lover’s knot unit.

Step Five: Repeat. That’s it — you’ve just completed one lover’s knot unit. Continue elongating your loop, yarn over and pull through, then single crochet into the back thread, and you’re building row after row of this gorgeous stitch.

Turning your work: At the end of a row, you’ll work a specified number of lover’s knots to turn (usually two or three, depending on your pattern), then continue along the next row, single crocheting into the single crochet of the row below.

Working in the round: For the skirt, you’ll work in joined rounds rather than rows, which means you’ll skip the turning knots and instead join each round with a slip stitch and continue. This creates a seamless, tube-shaped fabric — perfect for a skirt.

Tips for Getting the Lover’s Knot Right

The lover’s knot is one of those stitches that has a little learning curve, but once something clicks, it really clicks. Here are the most common issues beginners run into and how to avoid them:

Inconsistent loop length is the number one challenge. Your elongated loops need to be roughly the same length throughout the piece, or your fabric will look uneven. Practice by holding the loop against your finger or using a ruler until your muscle memory kicks in. Some crafters even mark their hook with a small piece of tape to help them gauge the length consistently.

Losing the back thread happens when the knot twists and the back thread becomes hard to identify. To avoid this, after you elongate your loop and pull through, gently smooth the knot with your fingers before inserting your hook. You’re looking for the single vertical thread that runs along the back of the elongated chain.

Tension issues at the join are common when working in the round. When you slip stitch to join at the end of a round, make sure you don’t tighten the join too much, as it can create a visible seam. A loose, consistent join keeps the fabric looking smooth and continuous.

Forgetting stitch markers — seriously, use them. The lover’s knot fabric is so open that it can be genuinely difficult to count your units once you have several rounds done. Placing a stitch marker at the beginning of each round or at regular intervals will save you a lot of frustration.

How to Read the Pattern

The full pattern for the Mini Skirt & Lover’s Knot Set uses standard crochet abbreviations. Here are the key ones you’ll see throughout this tutorial series:

LK stands for lover’s knot (elongated loop plus single crochet into back thread). SC stands for single crochet. Ch stands for chain. Sl st stands for slip stitch. Rep means repeat. BL or BLO means back loop or back loop only.

The pattern will also specify sizes in a range, so if you’re working a small, medium, large, or extra large, look for the number in parentheses that corresponds to your size throughout the instructions. If you’re between sizes, it’s generally better to size up for a garment worked in an open mesh stitch, since the fabric tends to stretch with wear.

Sizing and Measurements

This pattern is written in multiple sizes to accommodate a range of bodies, which is one of the things that makes it so accessible. Before you begin, take your measurements and compare them to the finished garment measurements provided in the full pattern. For a mini skirt, the key measurements you’ll need are your hip circumference, your natural waist or where you want the waistband to sit, and your desired length.

The lover’s knot fabric has a moderate amount of lateral stretch, which means the skirt will have a little give but is not as stretchy as, say, a ribbed crochet fabric. This is why matching your gauge and choosing the right size are so important.

Preparing to Start: A Few Final Tips

Before you begin Part 2, where you’ll actually start working the skirt, here are a few things to do that will set you up for success. First, wash and dry your yarn before you start if your finished garment will ever be washed — this pre-shrinks the fibers and prevents your skirt from changing shape after it’s done. Second, work your gauge swatch and take it seriously. Third, practice the lover’s knot stitch for ten to fifteen minutes before beginning the pattern. A short practice session will make the actual project feel smooth and enjoyable rather than frustrating.

Finally, remember that this is supposed to be fun. The lover’s knot stitch is mesmerizing once you get going, and there are few things as satisfying as watching a delicate, lacy fabric grow from your hands. Take it one knot at a time, and before you know it, you’ll have a stunning handmade set that looks like it came from a boutique.

What’s Coming in Part 2

In Part 2 of the Mini Skirt & Lover’s Knot Set Crochet Tutorial by Kno Strings Attached, we’ll start constructing the skirt from the waistband down. You’ll learn how to set up your foundation rounds, how to increase for the hip shaping, and how to achieve that perfect mini length. Save this post, follow along, and get your yarn and hook ready — you’re going to love this project.

If you have any questions about the materials, the lover’s knot stitch, or anything else covered in Part 1, drop them in the comments below. Happy crocheting!