When Courtney messaged me on Instagram to ask if I was interested in testing another pattern for her, I was already excited, but when she showed me a picture of the skirt, I fell in love. It has a simple elegance that I love.

• 1 and 3/4 skeins of Lion Brand Yarns Heartland — a worsted (4) weight yarn (above: Grand Canyon)
• Size G (4.25 mm) hook

Pattern by Courtney Clark at Tinderbox

So even though this was a pattern test, I had a really hard time with keeping the waistband even, so I actually made a *slight* modification. Every sixteen rows, I did single crochets in the back loop of the waistband area instead of slip stitches. I found that this allowed me to keep the waistband straight with the width of the skirt, rather than having the skirt shape curve inward and get narrower at the waistband. I’m having a hard time putting this in words, but think of a bell shape, with the neck/narrower end of the bell being the waistband in this case. Anyways, because the slip stitches are flatter than the width of the single crochets, this shape is bound to happen, but I found that my skirt was just becoming too “bell-like”, so I made this change.

I love the scalloped edge at the bottom of the skirt, as I think it makes the whole piece so elegant and ladylike. It also adds some much needed length to this skirt — without the scallops, it was feeling a bit too much like a mini-skirt for me to feel comfortable wearing, but now it passes the finger tip rule, and all is well!

I tested the XS size, and I think it’s pretty accurate. I just want to say that the way this skirt fits does wonders for a girl’s booty! I don’t know if you’ve ever read The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants by Ann Brashares, but that’s how I felt about this skirt as I asked my friends to try it on. Doesn’t my best friend look gorgeous?

I was a little bit disappointed that I finished this skirt too late to wear this summer, but I’m hoping that if I pair it with some tights, it can still make an appearance this year.

This is the second pattern that I’ve tested for Courtney, and I’ve loved the experience both times! My other write-up for her was the Cabled Poncho, and that was a fun piece as well, even though I’m still not quite sure how to style it. Any advice?

Until next time, happy crafting!