Blue Sky Fibers Pleated Skirt

Blue Sky Fibers Pleated Skirt – Knitting Pattern by Shirley MacNulty

The Blue Sky Fibers Pleated Skirt is a beautifully structured knitted skirt pattern designed by Shirley MacNulty and published by Blue Sky Alpacas (Blue Sky Fibers). Available as a downloadable PDF, this pattern produces a classic, feminine pleated skirt with a tailored silhouette that transitions gracefully from a full pleated hem to a fitted waist. The design is rated Advanced Beginner, making it an achievable challenge for knitters who are comfortable with basic techniques and ready to explore simple shaping and seaming.

What Is Being Made

This pattern creates a women's pleated skirt worked in two identical flat pieces — a front and a back — that are later sewn together at the side seams. The skirt is worked bottom-up, beginning at the hem and progressing upward toward a waist ribbing finish. The pleated structure gives the skirt its distinctive volume at the hem, which is then gradually reduced through a series of decrease rows to create a smooth, fitted waist. The pattern offers two length options — a 15-inch length and an 18-inch length — and is sized to fit Women's Extra Small, Small, and Medium.

The sample shown in the pattern photography is worked in Natural Taupe #505 at the 15-inch length, giving a clear visual reference for the finished fabric texture and drape.

Techniques Used

• Bottom-up construction: Both the front and back pieces begin at the hem edge and are worked upward toward the waistband, allowing the pleated structure to be established early and then shaped progressively.
• Worked flat (seamed): Each piece is knitted flat, back and forth in rows, rather than in the round. The two finished pieces are then sewn together at the side seams using a tapestry needle, producing a clean, structured finish.
• Two-strand cast on: The pattern recommends beginning with a two-strand cast on for the best possible hem edge, a technique referenced in many standard knitting books. This creates a firm, tidy foundation that complements the pleated structure.
• Pleat stitch pattern: The body of the skirt is worked in a pleat stitch pattern, which forms the signature pleated texture. This pattern is maintained throughout the shaping rows, requiring the knitter to work decreases while keeping the established stitch pattern intact — a useful skill-building exercise for advancing knitters.
• Seed stitch edging: Seed stitch is worked on portions of the Foundation Rows to prevent the Stockinette stitch sections from curling at the edges, a practical and elegant solution that keeps the hem lying flat without the need for additional finishing.
• Waist ribbing: The skirt finishes at the top with ribbing worked to create a snug, elastic waistband that holds the garment in place comfortably.
• Graduated decreasing: The shaping from hem to waist is achieved through a series of five decrease rows, each separated by approximately 9 rows of even knitting. Decreases use K2tog (Knit 2 Together), SSK (Slip, Slip, Knit), and P2tog (Purl 2 Together) to reduce the stitch count progressively and symmetrically, moving from the full pleated circumference down to the fitted waist measurement.

Stitches Used

• Pleat stitch pattern – the primary stitch pattern forming the body of the skirt
• Seed stitch – used at the foundation rows to prevent curling
• Stockinette stitch – present within the pleat structure
• Ribbing – worked at the waistband for stretch and fit
• K2tog (Knit 2 Together) – a right-leaning decrease used in shaping rows
• SSK (Slip, Slip, Knit) – a left-leaning decrease used in shaping rows
• P2tog (Purl 2 Together) – a purl