This A-line skirt was inspired by Marvel Crosson, a pioneering aviator with a fabulous and flirty sense of style.

Marvel was the first woman to receive a pilot’s license in (the then Territory of) Alaska, and was a contestant in the 1929 Women’s Air Derby (also known as the “Powder Puff Derby”), the first U.S. air race for women. Sadly, Marvel died young as a result of a crash on the second day of the Derby.

This skirt is a great project for a crocheter who hasn’t made garments before, but the join keeps things interesting for a more advanced crocheter. Start by crocheting two panels flat, join with a decorative stitch, and then finish with a covered elastic waist band crocheted in the round.

(This skirt is unlined. I recommend slip shorts rather than a half slip if you prefer a liner.)

This pattern is available for FREE on my blog here.

The free version is supported by advertising on my website. The downloadable PDF for sale on Ravelry includes the full pattern in one printable file without advertisements.

Skills used
Basic crochet stitches: chain, double crochet, single crochet, slip stitch
Working in rows, working in the round, decreasing
Special stitches: dc2tog, sc2tog (described in pattern)

Skill Level
Easy

Finished Sizes
Adult Women’s XS (S, M, L) – 24 (26.5, 30, 34)”/61 (67.5, 76, 86.5) cm waist; 20.75”/53 cm length. Photographed sample is size M.

Materials
Knit Picks Galileo (50% Merino wool/50% bamboo, 1.75 oz/50 g, 131 yd/120 m) – 5 (6, 6, 7) skeins Nebula, or approximately 655 (786, 786, 917) yd/600 (720, 720, 840) m in any light weight wool/bamboo blend yarn.

US 7/4.5 mm crochet hook, or any size needed to obtain gauge.

Yarn needle.

Stitch marker.

0.75” (2 cm) elastic for waist band - 1 yd/1 m length

Sewing needle and thread.

Gauge
16 sts x 8 rows = 4” (10 cm) in pattern before blocking. For best fit, always check your gauge.