Mediterranean Summer Drawstring Cotton Skirt Free Knit Pattern

Introduction

This Mediterranean Summer Drawstring Cotton Skirt is a wonderful first garment project for new knitters and a quick, satisfying make for anyone who loves easy summer style. It is knitted flat as one simple rectangle and seamed into a tube, so there is no shaping to worry about and no working in the round. The smooth Sand cotton body feels cool and breathable against the skin, while four bright Neon Yellow stripes at the hem give it a fun, sunny pop of color that teens will love. With a folded drawstring waist you can tie to fit, it is comfortable, adjustable, and ready for beach days, festivals, and warm-weather weekends.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Worsted weight (Category 4) cotton yarn, 100% cotton, 200 yards (183 m) per 100 g skein.
  • Main color (MC), Sand: 2 skeins (about 400 yards / 366 m)
  • Contrast color (CC), Neon Yellow: 1 skein (about 200 yards / 183 m)
  • Drawstring: a small amount of MC or CC (about 5 yards)
• Needles: US 7 (4.5 mm) circular needle, 24-inch length, or straight needles
• Notions: Tapestry needle, stitch markers (optional), safety pin, tape measure, scissors
• Finished size: To fit teen size: waist 26–28 inches, hip 34–36 inches, length 16 inches. The skirt measures approximately 36 inches around at the hem and 16 inches long.

Abbreviations

• MC – main color (Sand)
• CC – contrast color (Neon Yellow)
• k – knit stitch
• p – purl stitch
• k2tog – knit two stitches together (a one-stitch decrease)
• RS – right side (the smooth, outward-facing side of the fabric)
• WS – wrong side (the bumpy, inward-facing side)
• st(s) – stitch(es)
• stockinette stitch – knit on RS rows, purl on WS rows

Gauge

18 stitches and 24 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch. Knit a small swatch in stockinette, lay it flat without stretching, and count your stitches and rows over 4 inches to check that your gauge matches before you begin.

Tips Before You Start

• Check your gauge first. Because the skirt is a simple tube, a small difference in gauge changes the finished circumference a lot. If you get more than 18 stitches per 4 inches, go up a needle size; if you get fewer, go down.
• Keep the cast-on loose. The waistband folds over, so a stretchy, relaxed cast-on keeps the waist comfortable and easy to pull on.
• Count your decrease row carefully. The single decrease row takes you from 162 to 156 stitches. Work the (k25, k2tog) repeats exactly as written so the stitch count stays correct.
• Carry colors up the side. When you change colors for the hem stripes, leave the unused color resting at the edge rather than cutting it, so you can pick it up again one inch later.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Skirt Body (worked flat as a rectangle)

With MC, cast on 162 sts.

Row 1 (RS): Knit (162 sts).

Row 2 (WS): Purl (162 sts).

Rows 3–8: Repeat Rows 1–2 three more times, until the piece measures 1.5 inches, ending with a WS row (162 sts).

Next row (RS, decrease row): (k25, k2tog) 6 times, k6 (156 sts).

Next row (WS): Purl (156 sts).

Rows 11–72: Work in stockinette stitch (knit on RS, purl on WS) until the piece measures 12 inches from the cast-on edge, ending with a WS row (156 sts).

Hem Stripes

Change to CC.

Rows 73–78: Work in stockinette stitch for 1 inch, ending with a WS row (156 sts).

Change to MC.

Rows 79–84: Work in stockinette stitch for 1 inch, ending with a WS row (156 sts).

Change to CC.

Rows 85–90: Work in stockinette stitch for 1 inch, ending with a WS row (156 sts).

Change to MC.

Rows 91–96: Work in stockinette stitch for 1 inch, ending with a WS row (156 sts).

Bind off loosely.

Drawstring (I-cord or twisted cord)

Option 1 – I-cord: With MC or CC, cast on 3 sts on a double-pointed needle. Knit 3, then slide the stitches to the other end of the needle without turning. Repeat until the cord measures 40 inches. Bind off and pull the yarn tail through the last stitch.

Option 2 – Twisted cord: Cut two strands of yarn about 84 inches long. Hold them together, tie one end to a fixed object, and twist the strands tightly until they kink when relaxed. Fold the cord in half and let it twist back on itself. Knot both ends.

Assembly and Finishing

Fold the waistband: Fold the top 1.5 inches of the skirt to the WS along the fold line (just after the first 1.5 inches). Sew the folded edge in place with a simple running stitch, leaving a 2-inch opening for the drawstring.

Seam the side: With RS facing, bring the two side edges together, being careful not to twist the fabric. Seam from waist to hem using mattress stitch for an invisible join.

Insert the drawstring: Attach a safety pin to one end of the cord and thread it through the waistband casing, going in one side of the opening and out the other. Remove the pin and knot the cord ends.

Weave in ends: Weave in all yarn tails on the WS, working in opposite directions for a few inches so they stay secure.

Block: Block lightly to measurements: mist with water, pat into shape, and lay flat to dry. Do not stretch the waistband.

Pro Tips and Variations

• Make it longer or shorter: Add or remove rows in the plain MC body section before the stripes to adjust the length while keeping the 4-inch striped hem intact.
• Change the palette: Swap Neon Yellow for coral, turquoise, or hot pink for a different summer look, or use a self-striping cotton for the hem.
• Add a knit waistband tie: Instead of a cord, knit a narrow 40-inch garter-stitch strip and thread it through the casing for a soft, flat drawstring that ties neatly.