Simple Christmas Tree Skirt

I recently purchased a small, about 4 feet tall, Christmas tree from a resale shop and set it up.  Back home we've always had Noble firs, so I've never had a fake tree before.  Anyway, one thing that's different about fake trees is that at least on mine, the base is all scrawny green plastic.  So as I was admiring the tree and the festive atmosphere it brought to the room, I observed the unsightly base.  The base is more noticeable than normal because I put the tree on a chair to make it taller, so the base is just a little below eye level when you're sitting down. 

Anyway, after contemplating for a few minutes, I decided to crochet a tree skirt.  I've pondered how I would go about making one before, but you really only need one tree skirt per tree, so having extra doesn't make a whole lot of sense.  Back home we use a beautiful quilted version my great aunt made decades ago.  Now I had an excuse!

Color Pattern:

6 rows maroon, (2 rows white, 6 Rows maroon) repeated once; last row in maroon

Chain 37

Row 1:  2 sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next 5 ch, (2 sc in next ch, sc in next 5 ch) across (42 sc)
Row 2: ch 1, turn, (2 sc in next ch, sc in next 6 ch) across (48 sc)
Row 3: ch 1, turn, (2 sc in next ch, sc in next 7 ch) across (54 sc)
Row 4: ch 1, turn, (2 sc in next ch, sc in next 8 ch) across (60 sc)
Row 5: ch 1, turn, (2 sc in next ch, sc in next 9 ch) across (66 sc)
Row 6: ch 1, turn, (2 sc in next ch, sc in next 10 ch) across (72 sc)
Row 7: ch 1, turn, (2 sc in next ch, sc in next 11 ch) across (78 sc)
Row 8: ch 1, turn, (2 sc in next ch, sc in next 12 ch) across (84 sc)
Row 9: ch 1, turn, (2 sc in next ch, sc in next 13 ch) across (90 sc)
Row 10: ch 1, turn, (2 sc in next ch, sc in next 14 ch) across (96 sc)
Row 11: ch 1, turn, (2 sc in next ch, sc in next 15 ch) across (102 sc)
Row 12: ch 1, turn, (2 sc in next ch, sc in next 16 ch) across (108 sc)
Row 13: ch 1, turn, (2 sc in next ch, sc in next 17 ch) across (114 sc)
Row 14: ch 1, turn, (2 sc in next ch, sc in next 18 ch) across (120 sc)
Row 15: ch 1, turn, (2 sc in next ch, sc in next 19 ch) across (126 sc)
Row 16: ch 1, turn, (2 sc in next ch, sc in next 20 ch) across (132 sc)
Row 17: ch 1, turn, (2 sc in next ch, sc in next 21 ch) across (138 sc)
Row 18: ch 1, turn, (2 sc in next ch, sc in next 22 ch) across (144 sc)
Row 19: ch 1, turn, (2 sc in next ch, sc in next 23 ch) across (150 sc)
Row 20: ch 1, turn, (2 sc in next ch, sc in next 24 ch) across (158 sc)
Row 21: ch 1, turn, (2 sc in next ch, sc in next 25 ch) across (162 sc)
Row 22: ch 1, turn, (2 sc in next ch, sc in next 26 ch) across (168 sc)
Row 23: ch 1, turn, (sc, ch 3, sk 1) across 

The opening in the middle is the right size for this small fake tree, but it won't be big enough for an actual tree trunk.  To adjust it, simply chain one more than the number of sc for a round.  For example, if you've chained 37 and it's not big enough, chain 43 then check again.  If it's still too small, chain 49, or 55 etc.  Each row you add 6 sc; so you can figure out how to do the 'extra' rows if you start in a different place.

I made this using Red Heart yarn in Claret and White with a J hook.