Elara Kimono Top Knitting Pattern

Elara Kimono in Juniper Moon Moonshine

What is Being Made

The Elara Kimono is a knitted top designed by Ruth Garcia-Alcantud for Juniper Moon Farm. This garment is a kimono-style piece worked from the bottom up, featuring an upscaled lace pattern that resembles leaves. The design includes an asymmetrical shoulder closure, making it a versatile layering piece suitable for various occasions. The kimono is available in seven sizes, ranging from 30" to 54" bust measurements, with finished bust measurements from 35¼" to 59¼".

Techniques Used

The Elara Kimono employs several key knitting techniques to achieve its distinctive construction and finish. The garment is worked in the round using circular needles, which allows for seamless construction. An upscaled lace pattern forms the visual centerpiece of the design, creating the leaf-like motif throughout the piece. The pattern incorporates applied I-cord as a finishing detail, which not only provides a polished edge but also serves a functional purpose by enabling the asymmetrical closure at the shoulder. The applied I-cord technique involves using double-pointed needles to create a cord that is simultaneously attached to the garment edge, eliminating the need for separate seaming. Additionally, the pattern uses provisional cast-on techniques to facilitate grafting at specific points, ensuring seamless joins.

Stitches Used

The Elara Kimono utilizes a focused selection of fundamental and decorative stitches. The primary stitch used for the main body is Reverse Stockinette Stitch (Rev St st), which serves as the base fabric and allows the lace pattern to stand out visually. 3x3 Ribbing worked in the round is incorporated into the pattern, alternating knit and purl stitches in groups of three to create elasticity and structure at specific areas of the garment. The lace pattern itself employs standard lace stitches, though the exact stitch combinations are detailed in the full pattern instructions. I-Cord stitches, both as applied cord and as standalone cord, provide decorative and functional finishing elements. Common abbreviations used throughout include ssk (slip, slip, knit) for decreases, which are typical in lace construction.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Elara Kimono is designed to be worked in Juniper Moon Farm Moonshine yarn in color #01 Dew. The yardage requirements vary by size: 7 hanks for the smallest size (30" bust), increasing to 12 hanks for the largest size (54" bust). The pattern specifies US 7 (4.5 mm) circular needles in a 32" / 80 cm length for the main body construction, worked in the round. US 7 (4.5 mm) double-point needles are required for the I-cord finishing work. The recommended gauge is 20 stitches and 30 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) in Reverse Stockinette Stitch, which should be verified before beginning the project to ensure proper fit and finished measurements. The garment is designed to be worn with 4" of positive ease for comfortable movement and layering capability.