Highland Mist Waist Skirt Free Knitting Pattern – Cozy Textured A-Line

Sweep through autumn in this high-waisted A-line skirt, knitted with a lush honeycomb cable and soft moss stitch border. The gentle flare and plush merino blend make it a wardrobe staple that feels like a warm hug. This free knitting pattern is perfect for intermediate knitters looking to expand their skills with cables and texture, while creating a stunning, wearable piece that will become a seasonal favorite.

Whether you're heading to a pumpkin patch, a cozy café, or simply want to elevate your everyday style, the Highland Mist Waist Skirt delivers both comfort and sophistication. The high waistband flatters your silhouette, while the A-line shape allows for easy movement and layering over tights or leggings.

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather the following materials to ensure a smooth knitting experience:

• Yarn: Worsted weight merino wool blend (approx 600-800 yds for sizes S/M, 800-1000 yds for L/XL). Choose a heathery, rich color to showcase the cable texture beautifully.
• Needles: US 7 (4.5 mm) 24-inch circular needle for the main body, and US 7 double-pointed needles for the waistband (or use a longer circular needle with magic loop method).
• Notions: Stitch markers (at least 10), cable needle, tapestry needle for weaving in ends, measuring tape, and blocking pins.
• Gauge: 20 stitches and 28 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch; 22 stitches and 30 rows = 4 inches in honeycomb cable pattern. Always check your gauge to ensure proper fit.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Sizes and Measurements

This pattern is written for sizes S (M, L, XL). The finished measurements are:

• Waist: 28 (32, 36, 40) inches
• Hip: 38 (42, 46, 50) inches
• Length: 24 (25, 26, 27) inches

Abbreviations

Familiarize yourself with these standard knitting abbreviations before starting:

• k = knit
• p = purl
• k2tog = knit two together (decrease)
• ssk = slip slip knit (decrease)
• yo = yarn over (increase)
• sl = slip
• pm = place marker
• rnd = round
• rep = repeat
• M1L = make one left (increase)
• M1R = make one right (increase)

Special Stitches

Master these two special stitch patterns to create the beautiful texture of this skirt:

Honeycomb Cable (worked over 8 stitches)

• Rnd 1: k8
• Rnd 2: k8
• Rnd 3: Slip 4 stitches to cable needle and hold in front, k4, k4 from cable needle
• Rnd 4: k8
• Rnd 5: k8
• Rnd 6: k8
• Rnd 7: Slip 4 stitches to cable needle and hold in back, k4, k4 from cable needle
• Rnd 8: k8

Repeat rounds 1-8 for the honeycomb cable pattern. This creates a beautiful, dimensional cable that resembles a honeycomb lattice.

Moss Stitch (worked over 4 stitches)

• Rnd 1: *k1, p1* repeat to end
• Rnd 2: *p1, k1* repeat to end

Repeat rounds 1-2 for the moss stitch pattern. This subtle texture provides a lovely contrast to the bold cables.

Waistband

Cast on 140 (160, 180, 200) stitches using your circular needle. Join in the round, being extremely careful not to twist your stitches. Place a marker at the beginning of the round to track your progress.

Work in k1, p1 ribbing for 2 inches. This creates a snug, stretchy waistband that will hug your waist comfortably. The ribbing should be firm but not tight.

Skirt Body

Once your waistband measures 2 inches, you'll begin the beautiful textured pattern:

Next round: *Knit 14 (16, 18, 20) stitches, place marker, work Honeycomb Cable over next 8 stitches, place marker, knit 14 (16, 18, 20) stitches, work Moss Stitch over next 4 stitches* repeat from * to * around. You will have 5 cable panels and 5 moss stitch panels total.

Work even in your established pattern until the piece measures 6 inches from the cast-on edge. This gives the skirt a nice, straight starting section before the increases begin.

Increasing for the A-Line Shape

Now you'll begin shaping the A-line silhouette with strategic increases:

Increase Round: *Knit 1, M1L (make one left), knit to 1 stitch before cable marker, M1R (make one right), knit 1, work cable, knit 1, M1L, knit to 1 stitch before moss marker, M1R, knit 1, work moss* repeat from * to * around. This creates 10 increases per round.

Repeat this increase round every 6 rounds until you have added 20 (24, 28, 32) stitches total. This should take approximately 2 (2.4, 2.8, 3.2) inches of increases. The increases will be distributed evenly around the skirt, creating a gentle flare.

Work even in pattern until the piece measures 12 inches from the cast-on edge.

Continue in pattern, now working increases every 8 rounds until the piece measures 18 inches from the cast-on edge. By this point, you should have increased a total of 40 (48, 56, 64) stitches. The slower increase rate creates a more gradual flare as the skirt approaches the hem.

Finishing the Skirt

Work even in pattern until the piece measures 22 (23, 24, 25) inches from the cast-on edge, or your desired length minus 2 inches for the hem. Remember that the hem will add 2 inches to the total length.

Hem: Work in k1, p1 ribbing for 2 inches. This matches the waistband and creates a polished, cohesive look. Bind off loosely in pattern to maintain the stretchiness of the ribbing.

Finishing Touches

Weave in all loose ends using your tapestry needle, being careful to secure them well so they don't unravel with wear.

Block gently to the specified measurements. This is crucial for the cables to open up and lay flat beautifully. Use a steam iron or wet blocking method, being careful not to stretch the ribbing excessively.

The waistband will naturally roll slightly when worn, which adds to the casual, cozy aesthetic. If you prefer a crisper fold, press lightly with a steam iron, being careful not to flatten the cable texture.

Tips for Success

• Check your gauge: Always knit a swatch first to ensure your tension matches the pattern. This is especially important for a fitted garment like a skirt.
• Use stitch markers wisely: The markers between pattern sections are essential for keeping track of your place, especially when working the increases.
• Keep your cable needle handy: The honeycomb cable requires frequent cable needle use, so keep it within easy reach.
• Try it on as you go: Since this is a fitted garment, periodically try it on (or measure against your body) to ensure the fit is developing as expected.

This Highland Mist Waist Skirt is a rewarding project that will result in a stunning, wearable piece you'll treasure for years. The combination of honeycomb cables and moss stitch creates a rich, textured fabric that's both visually interesting and incredibly cozy. Happy knitting!