Solara Skirt in MODE at Rowan Cotton DK - Downloadable PDF

Solara Skirt Crochet Pattern by Quail Studio – MODE at Rowan Cotton DK

The Solara Skirt is a beautifully crafted crochet skirt designed by Quail Studio and published as part of the MODE at Rowan collection. Available as a downloadable PDF, this pattern is rated advanced in difficulty and is worked in Cotton DK weight yarn, making it a rewarding project for experienced crocheters looking to expand their garment-making skills. The skirt is designed to be worn with negative ease at the hip, meaning the finished garment measurements are intentionally smaller than the body measurements — the stretch of the fabric allows it to fit snugly and flatteringly.

What Is Being Made

The Solara Skirt is a crocheted skirt worked in the round, suitable for a wide range of sizes. It is sized to fit hips ranging from 76–81 cm (30–32 in) up to 157–162 cm (62–64 in), offering nine size options in total. The actual hip measurement of the finished garment ranges from 62 cm (24½ in) to 142 cm (56 in), reflecting the negative ease built into the design. This inclusive size range makes the Solara Skirt an excellent pattern for crocheters of all body types.

Techniques Used

• Working in the round: The skirt body is constructed in continuous rounds without turning, creating a seamless, smooth fabric. Stitch markers are used to denote the start of each round.
• Negative ease construction: The pattern is intentionally designed so the garment's actual measurements are smaller than the body measurements, relying on the natural stretch of the cotton fabric to achieve the correct fit.
• Stitch pattern: The skirt is worked in a defined stitch pattern with a tension of 20 stitches and 9 rows to 10 cm, measured over the pattern using a 3.5mm hook once blocked. Achieving this tension is important for accurate sizing.
• Blocking: Blocking is an essential finishing step for this pattern. The tension swatch must be measured after blocking, and the finished skirt will benefit from blocking to open up the stitch pattern and achieve the correct drape and dimensions.
• Knitted I-cord: Uniquely for a crochet pattern, the Solara Skirt incorporates a knitted I-cord detail, worked using double pointed needles. This is a tubular knitted cord technique where a small number of stitches are cast on and knitted repeatedly without turning, sliding the stitches to the other end of the needle each row to create a neat, rounded cord. This adds a refined finishing detail to the skirt.
• Stitch marker usage: Stitch markers are listed as a required extra, used to track the beginning of rounds throughout the construction.

Stitches Used

• The pattern is written in UK crochet terminology, which is explicitly noted in the pattern. Crocheters familiar with US terminology should be aware that stitch names differ — for example, what the UK calls a double crochet is equivalent to a US single crochet.
• The stitch pattern used throughout the skirt body creates a textured fabric with a defined row structure, achieving 9 rows to 10 cm in depth, suggesting a relatively dense and structured stitch repeat suitable for a skirt silhouette.
• The knitted I-cord is worked as a separate knitted element using basic knitting stitches on double pointed needles.

Materials Required

Yarn

This pattern uses MODE at Rowan Cotton DK, a 100% cotton yarn sold in 50g balls. Two colours are specified:

• Colour A – Honey 022: The main colour, requiring between 5 and 12 balls depending on size.
• Colour B – Macaroon 011: A contrast or accent colour, requiring between 3 and 6 balls depending on size.

Cotton DK is an ideal choice for a skirt — it is breathable, has a beautiful stitch definition, and offers a gentle natural stretch when worked