Adult dresses or skirts - not so popular?

[Je-Rel Drood]

so, i'm seeing plenty of patterns and projects for childrens clothing, mostly baby and toddler, but once the apparel is adult sized, I am mostly seeing tops/sweaters/cardigans. Very rarely do I see skirts or dresses and this has made me curious as to why:

 

Is it because it's a rather large project, thus not giving the gratification of smaller projects, or is it because people just don't like crocheted skirts and dresses? Are they too difficult to do?

 

Or is it because I'm just not looking in the right places?

[craftconnie1]

probably because they stretch out of shape too easily and accentuate all the bumpsnd bulges

[Granny Square]

I have seen a few, a few solid but mostly lacey ones that would be worn over something else.

 

I don't think they're difficult at all, sweaters have a lot more fussy fitting going on than skirts. Personally, I wouldn't have made one even for my younger, svelter self because knit/crochet tends to be clingy, and saggy/baggy after sitting for a while...I just don't think the fabric works as well for skirts.

 

You don't see too many knit/crochet skirts in the stores either, do you?

 

edit-- Connie, you beat me too it, I was typing too slowly

 

Here is a list of free patterns (don't ask me why snowflakes show up in a search for skirts, but something for you to browse)http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/search#craft=crochet&query=skirt&view=captioned_thumbs&availability=free&sort=best

[Je-Rel Drood]

The funny thing is I must have about 6 sweater dresses that I bought in stores - you know the extra long sweaters that are worn over leggings and they are my favorite winter outfits. I guess. i could take a sweater pattern and just extend the length.

 

What about the crochet thread? Would that hold its shape better than yarn? Much more labor intensive for sure, but something id be willing to try if it will hold up better.

[magiccrochetfan]

Another reason for lack of popularity: some just do not wear skirts/dresses. The last time i wore a skirt was probably about eight years ago! I simply prefer to wear pants.

 

Eta: Interweave Crochet has published quite a few patterns for both skirts and dresses.

[Empress Busy Bee]

You're not looking in the right places.

Good patterns are not really going to be free. You need to look through books and good magazines. That's not to say you won't find good free ones, you will. You will just find more you have to buy.

Here is the search for dresses including pay for and free:

 

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/search#craft=crochet&query=dress&view=captioned_thumbs&fit=adult&sort=best

 

Here is the search for skirts, again including both free and pay for:

 

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/search#craft=crochet&page=1&view=captioned_thumbs&query=skirt&fit=adult&sort=best

[Gr8ful Momma]

I love to make skirts and have made several for my daughter that I wish would fit me but the cost would be staggering. : I don't know that I could afford to make one in my current size.

[Katchkan]

I have a new skirt design on my hooks right now. I am working in sock weight yarn to keep if from being too bulky. Liking it so far and look forward to getting it done.

There are lots of lovely patterns out there if you do a bit of searching.

[Amy]

Tension magazine (online) has a free tutorial for making a Missoni-inspired chevron skirt. I just added this to my Ravelry queue today.

 

Edited: to fix link

[mumbles17]

I must be the odd one out here- I have made several crochet skirts-, not clingy, fitted at the top and flare out beautifully....longer length. The are lovely!

Have you looked around the stores lately - theres a HUGE amount of crochet skirts, tops and dresses this season....even crochet shorts! and crochet trimmed shorts..

I agree most of the 'better' patterns are going to be ones that you buy, but, I have to add -I do think they are totally worth it!

[FrLopLady]

Tension magazine (online) has a free tutorial for making a Missoni-inspired chevron skirt. I just added this to my Ravelry queue today.

 

http://www.tensionmagazine.com/articles.php?choice=chevron-skirt-tutorial if anyone else had problems with the above link...and thank you Amy! I like that a lot!

[Amy]

Sorry, everyone, I fixed the link in the first post.

 

I pasted it in using my iPad, and something got messed up the first time.

[Je-Rel Drood]

I guess I HAVE been looking in the wrong places! lol

 

I don't mind buying a pattern but I just didn't see anything that caught my eye. Thank you so much for pointing me in the right direction!

[DebraKay]

I bought this dress pattern a couple of years ago and still love it -- not for me but for my granddaughters. http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/molly-dress

 

The Crochet Dude just finished a Mother-of-the Groom dress that is beautiful! He promises to have the pattern for us in the near future.

 

 

http://www.elletricote.com/2-CREATIONS/collection%20automnhiver%202010%2011/Z6.gif Gorgeous! I love this skirt!

 

Tunics: http://www.etsy.com/listing/75007815/crochet-retro-dresstunic?utm_source=Pinterest&utm_medium=PageTools&utm_campaign=Share Hope she offers the pattern one of these days! I love this fun tunic!

 

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/craft-cotton-tunic -- simple cotton tunic

 

I have lots of dresses, skirts & tunics on my Crochet~ Wearables Board on Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/fldebra/ I took a look just now and notice a great many of the fancier ones are not in English. My google translator will automatically translate for me but they do not always equate to actual patterns you can easily follow. I have managed to guess my way through a couple though.

[DebraKay]

Just saw a FB posting from Drew Emborsky (aka The Crochet Dude) and it reminded me -- his book Crochet It, Love It, Wear It has several dresses and skirts and a tunic that you might like to look at! His book just became available as a digital download in addition to the paper book! http://bit.ly/JWjTiU The little black dress is a winner!

 

Lots of options for you!

[Amy]

Just saw a FB posting from Drew Emborsky (aka The Crochet Dude) and it reminded me -- his book Crochet It, Love It, Wear It has several dresses and skirts and a tunic that you might like to look at! His book just became available as a digital download in addition to the paper book! http://bit.ly/JWjTiU The little black dress is a winner!

 

 

The Little Black Dress is one of my must-do projects!!

[Momcrochets]

I have made a few skirts...long ones...my own designs. I love skirts. but to get the "flowy" factor, we're talking fine fibers,( thread or almost thread, lace weight etc)...and a lacy design with an underskirt. (my pineapple skirt (paradise skirt on the ville in the patterns section) is one example. I have one on my hoops now that has been taking 'forever'...I guess I got a bit bored with the stitch pattern... as to how long they take, that depends on the crocheter...

hope this helps.

[HappyOldCro]

Another reason for lack of popularity: some just do not wear skirts/dresses. The last time i wore a skirt was probably about eight years ago! I simply prefer to wear pants.

 

Sad but true, skirts/dresses just doesn't have the appeal it used to have.

Except for special occasions (or a business suit type skirt) the common female tends to lean towards pants nowadays. (could be because we have infiltrated the male role in the work field?? ) I say "common" not as an insult to anyone, but to refer to the general population (living here in Amish country there are alot of skirts/dresses to be worn). Other than my son's wedding and some church occasion, I haven't worn one for 12 years plus...

[Je-Rel Drood]

I guess you're right as I seem to be in the minority where I live. People look at me funny and ask me where I'm going, but I just tell them I always dress this way. *shrug* what a funny thing to be looked at for.