How to Crochet a Doll's Petticoat

Use simple crochet stitches to make a customized, lacy petticoat for a little girl's doll.

You can make a lacy underskirt to fit any doll in your collection. Start at the waistband and work down until it's long enough for an elegant bisque-head heirloom or short enough for a fashion doll's 1950s crinoline. Use simple double-crochets and treble-crochets, or add a pattern with rows of shell-stitch (three double-crochets in the same stitch).

Things You'll Need

• 1 ball size 10 crochet cotton
• Size C crochet hook
• Narrow elastic

Instructions

1. Make a starter chain long enough to wrap twice around your doll's waist. Join with a slip stitch to make a ring, and chain three.

2. Work a double-crochet in the same stitch (yarn over, draw up a loop, draw through two loops at a time) and two double-crochets in each chain around. Join to the beginning of the round.

3. Chain one. Single-crochet around. Join.

4. Chain four. Yarn over twice, insert the hook in the same stitch as the chain, draw up a loop, and work the four loops off two at a time (treble-crochet). Work two treble-crochets in each single-crochet around. Join. Repeat Step 3.

5. Chain three. Work double-crochet around and join. Repeat Step 3. Work additional rounds of double- and treble-crochet, repeating Step 3 between them, until the petticoat is the length you want. Finish with two single-crochet rounds. Break off the thread and work the ends into the stitches.

6. Weave a length of elastic through the first double-crochet round. Slip the petticoat onto the doll, draw up the elastic and distribute the crocheted fabric evenly around. Tie the elastic in a bow or knot.

Tips & Warnings

• Change the shape of the petticoat by using more rounds with two stitches in each single-crochet (increase rounds) to give it more volume, or fewer increase rounds to make it slimmer.

• To make a petticoat that's more fitted at the waist and hips, make a starter chain that just circles the doll's waist and work several rows back-and-forth before joining and proceeding in rounds. Add a tiny button and a loop to fasten instead of the elastic.

References

• ABC Knitting Patterns: "American Girl Doll Lace Skirt"; Elaine Phillips