Skirt to Shorts?

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I am in possession of the world's ugliest skirt. Okay, so not quite, but it's not really that pretty. It's just a plain straight down skirt that goes to my knees, in sort of an odd colored couduroy fabric. It also has sort of a pleat in the front.

My question is this: Is there any way to turn a slightly too-big plain skirt into a plair of almost knee length shorts? Patterns or advice would be great!