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On one of my “hey let’s pop into A.C. Moore for just a few minutes” stops (ha!), I saw there were some small spools of tulle on sale for 2 dollars a pop. I walked right by them at first…but quickly turned around because this gorgeous pink, blue, and green color combination caught my eye. The pink was SO sparkly! This tutu came together in my living room, but somehow the sparkles have already traveled into every room of the house. So, fair warning on that, you may want to take your project outside, or, buy the non sparkly tulle. If you are a unicorn and want a glitterbomb to go off in your house, more power to ya.

If you are a dancer, performer, festival goer, or just someone who likes to dress up for fun, this is a low cost way to make (part of) your own costume.

This tutorial is part pattern, part “recipe”, or tutorial. First, we will make the crochet portion of the skirt, top-down in just one piece. The crochet skirt is really just an underskirt mesh grid to attatch the tulle strips to, and to keep the itchy tulle from touching your legs.

Pixie Tutu – free pattern and tutorial

The Underskirt/Crochet Skirt

“H” hook
Worsted Weight Yarn (yardage depends on size)

Measure waist of yourself or intended recipient, if you can, or refer to a standard size chart and make your best guess!

1. Ch 1/2″ to 1″ longer than waist measurement. Join to first ch to form ring (careful not to twist).

Ch 1
Sc in same ch and each ch around
Join to first sc w/ sl st

2. Ch 1
Sc in BL only of same st and each st around
Join to first sc w/ sl st
(Count st’s, if odd numbered, work a scDec over last two st)

3. Ch 1 (does not count as st)
Hdc in BL only of same st and each st around
Join to first Hdc w/ sl st

4. Ch 3 (does not count as st)
FPtr around hdc st just below
BPtr around next st
* FPtr around next st
BPtr around next st *
Rep from * to * around
Join to first FPtr w/ sl st (sk ch-3)

5.Ch 1
Sc in BL only of same st and each st around
Join to first sc w/ sl st

6. Rep round 5

7. Ch 3 (counts as dc, ch 1)
* Sk 1 st
Dc in next
Ch 1 *
Rep from * to * around
Join to ch-2 of ch-3 w/ sl st

8. Rep round 7

9. Ch 3 (counts as dc, ch 1)
Dc in same st
Ch 1
Sk ch-1 sp
Dc in dc
Ch 1
* Sk ch-1 sp
(Dc, ch 1, dc) in dc
Ch 1
Sk ch-1 sp
Dc in dc
Ch 1 *
Rep from * to * around
Join to ch-2 of ch-3 w/ sl st

10. Rep round 7

11. Rep round 7

12. Ch 3 (counts as dc, ch 1)
Dc in same st
Ch 1
* Sk ch-1 sp
Dc in dc
Ch 1
Sk ch-1 sp
(Dc, ch 1, dc) in dc
Ch 1 *
Rep from * to * around
Join to ch-2 of ch-3 w/ sl st

13. Rep round 7

14-? Rep round 7 until skirt measures desired length (I went knee length for my toddler).

Fasten off. Weave in ends.

Measure distance from bottom of waistband to bottom of skirt (8″ for toddler)

Cut/use piece of cardboard twice the length of skirt measurement (16″ for me). Wrap tulle around cardboard.

Cut tulle at top and bottom of cardboard

Snip ends into “V” shapes

Fold strips in half and pinch with fingers. Use a lark’s head knot to secure the strips to the first grid of squares under the waistband, using 1 strip for every 3 or 4 squares. Fill in later with extra pieces.

Continue with 2nd layer of strips, moving one or two rows down. Make a 3rd layer if desired, fill in as much as you like.

Using “J” or “K” hook and holding 2 strands of chunky or 4 strands of worsted weight yarn together, ch 10 to 15″ longer than waist measurement. Fasten off. Weave through FPtr of waistband.

I would love to have a great, clear cutie pie picture of my little girl wearing this, but she has a bout of poison oak reaction and is feeling quite fussy. She put the tutu on for 3 seconds to let me take this picture before itching her toes…poor thing. Will update with a better picture when she is feeling herself again.