Knitting Patterns

Pink Panel Seed Stitch Skirt - Free Knit Pattern

OEMGrid: Original Essentials, Maker Tools & Artisan Crafts • November 04, 2026

Introduction

This skirt is made for anyone who has just learned to knit and purl and wants a project that looks far more impressive than it is. It is knitted flat in seed stitch, a wonderfully bumpy, squishy fabric that lies flat at the edges and hides small tension wobbles, so beginners get a tidy result without fuss. The body is built from six bold 6" panels that alternate cherry red and pink, giving the finished skirt stacked horizontal color bands and a modern, unisex look. Seamed into a simple tube and finished with a folded elastic casing, it feels soft, stretchy, and easy to wear all day.

Materials Needed

Yarn: Worsted weight acrylic. Color A (cherry red): 300 (350, 400) yd. Color B (pink): 300 (350, 400) yd.
Needles: 5.0 mm (US 8) circular needle, 24" or longer, or straight needles.
Notions: Tapestry needle, stitch markers, tape measure, scissors, 1" wide elastic cut to waist measurement minus 2", sewing needle and thread.
Finished size: To fit waist 28 (32, 36)" / 71 (81, 91) cm. Finished waist 28 (32, 36)"; finished length 20 (21, 22)" / 51 (53, 56) cm; finished hip 36 (40, 44)" / 91 (102, 112) cm.

Abbreviations

CO: cast on — make the starting loops on your needle.
BO: bind off — finish the stitches so they don't unravel.
st(s): stitch(es).
RS: right side — the outside of the finished skirt.
WS: wrong side — the inside of the finished skirt.
k: knit.
p: purl.
k2tog: knit two stitches together — a one-stitch decrease.
yo: yarn over — wrap the yarn once over the needle to make a small eyelet hole.
rnd: round — one full circle of knitting in the round.
WS (as in "to WS"): wrong side, used when folding the casing.

Gauge

16 sts and 24 rows = 4" in seed stitch. Knit a small swatch in seed stitch, block it lightly, and count stitches and rows over 4" before you begin so your skirt matches the finished measurements.

Tips Before You Start

Seed stitch means you knit the purls and purl the knits on every row. If you lose your place, look at the stitch below: work the opposite of what you see.
Keep your color changes at the same edge of the piece so the panel joins line up neatly when you seam.
Measure each panel as you go rather than counting rows; 6" of seed stitch is easier to check with a tape measure.
Leave long tails (about 8") at each color change so you have plenty of yarn to weave in securely later.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Skirt Body (worked flat)

Panel sequence: 6" A, 6" B, 6" A, 6" B, 6" A, 6" B.

Set-up: With A, CO 80 (84, 88) sts.

Rows 1-36 (approx. 6"): Work in seed stitch: RS rows: [k1, p1] to last st, k1; WS rows: [p1, k1] to last st, p1. End with a WS row (80 (84, 88) sts).

Rows 37-72 (approx. 6"): Change to B. Continue in seed stitch as established, ending with a WS row (80 (84, 88) sts).

Rows 73-108 (approx. 6"): Change to A. Continue in seed stitch, ending with a WS row (80 (84, 88) sts).

Rows 109-144 (approx. 6"): Change to B. Continue in seed stitch, ending with a WS row (80 (84, 88) sts).

Rows 145-180 (approx. 6"): Change to A. Continue in seed stitch, ending with a WS row (80 (84, 88) sts).

Rows 181-216 (approx. 6"): Change to B. Continue in seed stitch, ending with a WS row (80 (84, 88) sts).

Final row: BO all sts.

Waistband Casing (worked in the round)

With A, pick up and knit 112 (128, 144) sts evenly around the waist edge. Join to work in the round.

Rnd 1: Purl (112 (128, 144) sts).

Rnd 2: Knit (112 (128, 144) sts).

Rnd 3: [k2tog, yo] around (112 (128, 144) sts).

Rnd 4: Knit (112 (128, 144) sts).

Rnd 5: Purl (112 (128, 144) sts).

Final rnd: BO loosely.

Assembly and Finishing

Block the body piece to measurements (waist 28 (32, 36)", length 20 (21, 22)", hip 36 (40, 44)"). Sew the side edges together to form a tube, leaving the top 1.5" open for the casing. Fold the casing to the wrong side along the eyelet round and sew the bound-off edge to the wrong side, leaving a 2" opening. Cut the elastic to your waist measurement minus 2", thread it through the casing, overlap the ends, and sew them securely. Sew the opening closed. Weave in all ends, then steam or wet block lightly and let the skirt dry flat.

Pro Tips and Variations

Swap the colors for any two shades you love — a tonal pair gives a subtle stripe, while high-contrast colors make the panels pop.
For a longer skirt, add extra 6" panels in the same A/B sequence, keeping the same stitch count.
Use a slightly wider elastic or add a drawstring through the eyelet round for an adjustable, sporty finish.

Also Check Out: We think you'd love this beautiful pattern on our sister site: The Meadow Mist Lace Scarf Free Pattern – Knit a Breezy Floral Mesh Wrap