Knitted Kimono Cardigan Pattern

Knitted Kimono Cardigan Pattern by Lion Brand

Project Overview

This intermediate-level knitting pattern creates a kimono-style cardigan featuring a distinctive slip stitch colorwork design. The garment is knit in one piece from the lower body up to the armhole, then divided for the front and back sections. Available in four sizes—Small through 1X—with finished chest measurements ranging from 44 inches to 62 inches and lengths from 32 to 35 inches, this cardigan offers a comfortable, flowing silhouette inspired by traditional kimono styling.

Knitting Techniques

The pattern employs several key knitting techniques to achieve its finished design:

• Slip stitch colorwork: A fundamental technique alternating between two yarn colors to create visual texture and pattern without the complexity of intarsia or fair isle. Stitches are slipped as if to purl with yarn held in back (wyib) or in front (wyif) depending on the row, creating a subtle dimensional effect.
• Circular needle construction: The cardigan is worked flat on a 29-inch circular knitting needle, which accommodates the wider fabric width while working back and forth in rows rather than in the round.
• 3-needle bind off: Used to join two sets of stitches together with a finished seam, creating a professional closure where pieces meet.
• Yarn carrying: Unused yarn colors are carried up the edge of the piece between color changes, eliminating the need for weaving in multiple ends throughout the project.

Stitches and Pattern Details

The primary stitch pattern is a slip stitch repeat worked over a multiple of 2 plus 1 stitch. The four-row pattern sequence alternates between solid knit rows in the main color and slip stitch rows in the contrast color. Row 1 and Row 2 are worked entirely in the main color (Edwardian) using knit stitches. Rows 3 and 4 introduce the contrast color (Corinthian), with slip stitches alternating between knit stitches to create a textured, woven appearance. This slip stitch pattern generates the specified gauge of 15 stitches and 28 rows per 4 inches when worked on the larger needle.

Materials and Yarn Requirements

This pattern calls for Lion Brand Homespun yarn, a bulky-weight fiber ideal for creating fabric with drape and visual interest. The main color (MC) requires 5 to 7 skeins depending on size, while the contrast color (CC) requires 2 to 3 skeins. The original pattern specifies Edwardian as the main color and Corinthian as the contrast, though crafters are encouraged to substitute colors of their choice while maintaining the same yarn weight and yardage.

Tools and Notions

Construction requires Size 10 (6 mm) and Size 11 (8 mm) circular knitting needles measuring 29 inches in length. The pattern specifies using the larger needle for the main fabric to achieve proper gauge. Additional supplies include stitch holders for managing stitches during armhole shaping and a large-eyed blunt needle for weaving in yarn ends and seaming.

Construction Method

The kimono cardigan is constructed using a seamless one-piece method from the lower body upward. The back and front panels are knit continuously until the armhole shaping begins, at which point the pattern divides for separate front and back sections. This approach minimizes seaming while maintaining the integrity of the slip stitch colorwork pattern throughout. The pattern notes that after armhole bind-offs, two contrast color stitches may occasionally fall adjacent to each other at row ends; these edge stitches are later hidden during assembly, ensuring a polished finished appearance.