Malibu Wrap Skirt – Crochet Pattern (from my book: Summer Crochet)

Hi friends!

This post includes everything you need to know about the Malibu Wrap Skirt, a funky swim cover-up with a bold, two-tone wavy stitch pattern and a tie-up closure!

This pattern is available as an independent PDF (Ravelry, Etsy, and other links included below) and is an original design from my new book Summer Crochet: 19 Delicate Designs with Simple Lace and Timeless Silhouettes, released in spring 2025. This book includes 19 size-inclusive, warm-weather garment and accessory patterns using a variety of techniques and construction methods to ensure there is something of value for every skill level. Each garment pattern is written with an inclusive size range from XS to 5XL and each size has been thoroughly tested, thoroughly tech edited, and fully charted! We had hundreds of crochet pattern testers for this book to make sure that each size fits its intended wearer in a way that makes them feel beautiful.

You can buy this book with confidence, knowing that each pattern was written for you and your unique body measurements.

Some Quick Links Before You Begin:

Find the PDF version on Ravelry, Etsy, and my website.
Add your finished project and view other completed projects on Ravelry here!
Use the pattern hashtag #MalibuWrapSkirt on Instagram to show off your makes! Be sure to check out the book hashtag, #SummerCrochetBook, too!
Shop Hobbii Friends Wheel here!
- Be sure to scroll down to see other great yarn substitutes and yarns used during testing!
For any questions about this pattern, please email knitsnknotswpg@gmail.com and I’ll get back to you asap!

Where Can I Find the Physical Book?

(Both physical and e-book versions are available!)

Shop Summer Crochet on Amazon (US) here.
Shop Summer Crochet on Barnes And Noble here.
Shop Summer Crochet at Chapters (CA) here.
Shop Summer Crochet on Amazon (CA) here.
Shop Summer Crochet on Amazon (UK) here.
Shop Summer Crochet on Indie Bound here.
Shop Summer Crochet on Blackwell’s here.
Shop Summer Crochet on Books-A-Million here.
Shop Summer Crochet on Books Inc. here.
Shop even more platforms here.

Order my first book – Modern Crochet Sweaters: 20 Chic Designs for Everyday Wear – here!

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About

The funky striping on this eclectic swim skirt is sure to jazz up any beach outfit! The wavy stitch pattern, when combined with multiple colors, creates a bold striping pattern that packs a punch. The solid border at the top of the skirt contains optional built-in waist shaping and an integrated tie to secure your skirt at the waist with a bow.

This pattern demonstrates how a simple rectangle can be transformed into something totally unique with just a few modifications. To further customize your skirt, try using more than two colors for your striping pattern—or use this pattern as a stash-buster for all your fingering weight scraps!

This pattern is fully written + charted.

Materials

Yarn: Fingering—Hobbii Friends Wheel in 2 colorways: “Cream (04)” and “Buckthorn (29)”

55% cotton, 45% acrylic
437 yds (400 m) per 3.5 oz (100 g) skein
Find this yarn on hobbii.com or yarnsub.com to find comparable substitutes available in your region.

Yardage Required:

Main Color (MC), Shown in Buckthorn: 2 (2, 2, 2, 2) (3, 3, 3, 3) cakes or approximately 450 (475, 500, 650, 700) (875, 900, 1050, 1150) yds (411 [434, 457, 594, 640] [800, 823, 960, 1052] m)

Contrasting Color (CC), Shown in Cream: 1 (1, 1, 1, 1) (1, 1, 2, 2) cake(s) or approximately 200 (210, 225, 300, 325) (400, 425, 475, 525) yds (183 [192, 206, 274, 297] [366, 389, 434, 480] m)

Yarn Substitution: Scroll down for an extensive list of yarn substitutes and yarns used during testing.

Hook: Size U.S. E/4 (3.5 mm) or size needed to obtain gauge

Notions: Tapestry needle, 1 locking stitch marker, a small button, a sewing needle that fits through the button with matching thread (optional if choosing to add this additional closure to the inside of your skirt)

Yarn Substitution

Hobbii Friends Wheel has the following properties:

55% cotton, 45% acrylic
437 yds (400 m) per 3.5 oz (100 g) skein

Substitute Hobbii Friends Wheel with any similar fingering-weight (category #1) yarn that matches gauge. When choosing a fiber, keep in mind that it may get wet if you choose to wear it after swimming. Note that fingering weight is often referred to as “4-ply” in the U.K. and Australia. Because this pattern instructs you to work your skirt until reaching a specific measurement, other yarn weights can work in this pattern, too, with just a few simple modifications needed.

Appropriate Yarn Substitutes:

This list below includes some yarns I added myself in addition to the yarns used and recommended by testers.

As a reminder, you will need approximately

MC: 450 (475, 500, 650, 700) (875, 900, 1050, 1150) yds / 411 (434, 457, 594, 640) (800, 823, 960, 1052) m
CC: 200 (210, 225, 300, 325) (400, 425, 475, 525) yds / 183 (192, 206, 274, 297) (366, 389, 434, 480) m

The following fingering weight yarns should work well in your project!

- Hobbii Friends Wheel Multi (self-striping yarn) (55% Cotton, 45% Acrylic)
- Hobbii Twister Solid (55% Cotton, 45% Acrylic)
- King Cole Cotton Socks 4-ply (58% Cotton, 38% Nylon)
- Paintbox Yarns Cotton 4 ply (100% Cotton)
- WeCrochet Comfy Fingering (75% Pima Cotton, 25% Acrylic)
- WeCrochet Gloss Fingering (70% Merino Wool, 30% Silk)
- WeCrochet Stroll Fingering (75% Fine Superwash Merino Wool, 25% Nylon)

Gauge

Gauge for a stretchy stitch pattern like this can be difficult to measure. Because of the stretch, there is a lot of forgiveness in the fabric. Try your best to get as close as you can to the measurements given.

Main Gauge (Wavy Stitch Pattern)

Stitch Gauge: Each pattern repeat (each “wave”) equals approximately 2.5” (6 cm) wide
Row Gauge: 4” (10 cm) = 7 rows, measuring in a straight vertical line from the valley of the bottom row to the hump of the top row

Full swatch instructions are included in the pattern for your convenience.

Gauge for Border + Ties

4 x 4” (10 x 10 cm) = approximately 21 sc and 27 rows, blocked

Sizing + Finished Measurements

This chart is a screenshot from the PDF pattern.

Terms + Abbreviations Used

CC: contrasting color – shown in sample as colorway “Cream (04)”
ch(s): chain(s)
ch-sp(s): chain space(s)
dc: double crochet (tr in U.K. terms)
dcBLO: double crochet through the back loop only (trBLO in U.K. terms)
hdc: half double crochet (htr in U.K. terms)
hdcBLO: half double crochet through the back loop only (htrBLO in U.K. terms)
MC: main color – shown in sample as colorway “Buckthorn (29)”
rep: repeat
RS: right side
sc: single crochet (dc in U.K. terms)
scBLO: single crochet through the back loop only (dcBLO in U.K. terms)
sc2tog: single crochet 2 stitches together (dc2tog in U.K. terms)
sk: skip
st(s): stitch(es)
tr: treble crochet (dtr in U.K. terms)
trBLO: treble crochet through the back loop only (dtrBLO in U.K. terms)
WS: wrong side

Pattern Notes

Skill Level: Intermediate

Sizing: This wrap skirt is written in nine sizes as follows: XS (S, M, L, XL) (2X, 3X, 4X, 5X). Make sure to follow the numbers for your size only.

Stitch Counts: Stitch counts are listed after each row. If no stitch count is given, there has been no change since the previous row.

Right Side/Wrong Side: There is a right side (RS) and wrong side (WS) to this fabric. The RS faces you as you crochet all odd-numbered rows (the rows in which you work through the back loops only).

Turning Chain: The turning chain does not count as a stitch unless otherwise indicated.

Other Yarn Weights: The construction style of this pattern allows for other yarn weights to be used, provided you reach the measurements specified in the pattern. If substituting other weights, follow the customization notes included within the pattern.

Right-Handed vs. Left-Handed Crocheters: The pattern is written with right-handed crocheters in mind (those who hold their hook in their right hand and crochet each row toward the left). If you are a left-handed crocheter, any instructions referring to the “right-hand side” or “left-hand side” should be reversed.

Optional Made-to-Measure Construction: While this pattern is fully written and graded for nine sizes, there are also instructions within the pattern to customize this skirt to any length and any width. If you choose to deviate from the nine sizes listed, follow the customization notes included within the pattern.

Construction: This wrap skirt is worked side-to-side, lengthwise, in a simple rectangle consisting of a four-row repeat worked in two colors. Each color is worked over two rows and carried to the next section until it is needed again, without cutting your yarn for each stripe. Once the specified skirt width is reached, the top border is worked while integrating one of the ties by working a long chain, separately, then joining it to the top edge of your skirt to create one long row. As this solid border at the top edge is worked, there are several decreases evenly distributed to cinch it at the waist. Lastly, the second tie is crocheted separately and seamed to the opposite side of your skirt.

Tester Photos: Scroll down to view tester photos.

Pattern Testers

Below is a collection of photos that my pattern testers graciously allowed me to share with you! Below each photo I have linked each person’s social media account as well as listed their particular yarn choice and any notes they left regarding how well they thought it worked in the pattern. Thank you so much to all these lovely testers who helped make this pattern as clear and easy-to-follow as possible!