RaRa Skirt

RaRa Skirt by Sam Hermes

What is Being Made

The RaRa Skirt is a two-layer children's crochet skirt designed by Sam Hermes for ages 1 through 6. This downloadable PDF pattern creates a playful, ruffled skirt with distinct layered construction, offering a fun and practical garment for young children. The finished skirt features a fitted waist with flared, voluminous layers that create the characteristic "rara" silhouette.

Skill Level and Suitability

This pattern is rated as Intermediate difficulty, making it suitable for crocheters with foundational knowledge who are ready to tackle more complex construction techniques. The pattern requires familiarity with basic crochet stitches and the ability to follow multi-step instructions across multiple rounds and layers.

Crochet Techniques Used

The RaRa Skirt employs several intermediate crochet techniques to achieve its distinctive two-layer design. Post stitches are central to the construction, specifically front post half trebles and back post half trebles, which create textured, dimensional effects. The pattern also utilizes front loop only and back loop only techniques to manipulate fabric direction and create the ruffled layers. An optional reverse double crochet border finish is available for each rara layer, providing a polished edge treatment.

Stitches and Stitch Abbreviations

The pattern uses the following stitches and abbreviations (UK terminology):

• Ch – chain
• htr – half treble
• Fbhtr – front post half treble
• Bphtr – back post half treble
• Rev dc – reverse double crochet (optional border)
• Sl st – slip stitch
• Flo – front loop only
• Blo – back loop only

The pattern uses standard abbreviations for stitch(es), space(s), and repeat instructions throughout.

Materials and Tools

The RaRa Skirt is worked with Paintbox Simply Aran yarn, a medium-weight aran yarn that provides excellent stitch definition and durability for children's garments. A 5mm crochet hook (UK size 6, US size H-8) is required to work with this yarn weight. Additional tools include a stitch marker for tracking pattern rounds, a yarn needle for weaving in ends, and scissors.

Yarn Colors and Yardage

The pattern calls for four distinct yarn colors from the Paintbox Simply Aran range:

• Yarn A – Blush Pink
• Yarn B – Washed Teal
• Yarn C – Champagne White
• Yarn D – Mustard

Each size requires approximately 4 balls of aran yarn total, allowing for creative color blocking and layering across the two-layer construction.

Sizing and Finished Dimensions

The RaRa Skirt is available in three children's sizes with the following finished measurements (approximate, as they depend on optional rounds added or subtracted):

• Size Age 1: 53cm finished waist, 20cm finished length, starting chain approximately 60
• Size Age 2: 55cm finished waist, 22cm finished length, starting chain approximately 63
• Size Age 3: 57cm finished waist, 25cm finished length

The pattern continues through Size Age 6, with measurements scaling appropriately for each age group. Finished dimensions are flexible based on individual modifications to the pattern.

Pattern Format

This is a downloadable PDF pattern designed and written by Sam Hermes of Little Bud Creations. The pattern is provided for personal use and items made from this pattern may be sold with proper designer credit.