Plymouth Yarn Basic Garter Stitch Kimono Knitting Pattern

Plymouth Yarn Basic Garter Stitch Kimono

Project Overview

The Plymouth Yarn Basic Garter Stitch Kimono is a relaxed, oversized cardigan designed for knitters seeking a straightforward construction project. This kimono-style garment features a simple silhouette with drop sleeves and an open front, making it an ideal pattern for knitters who appreciate classic, minimalist design and fundamental knitting techniques.

What Is Being Made

This pattern creates a comfortable, oversized kimono cardigan available in three sizes: Small (finished bust 40"), Medium (finished bust 44"), and Large (finished bust 48"). The finished length ranges from 25" to 27" depending on size. The kimono features a relaxed fit with drop sleeves, a simple neckband, and an open front design typical of traditional kimono silhouettes adapted for Western knitwear.

Techniques Used

The garment is constructed using a bottom-up seamed construction method. This approach involves knitting individual pieces separately—the back, two front panels, and two sleeves—then assembling them through strategic seaming. The neckband is worked separately using the pick-up-and-knit method, where stitches are picked up along the neckline edges and worked in the round using circular needles. This technique allows for a finished, professional neckline treatment.

Stitches Used

• Garter Stitch: The primary stitch throughout the entire garment. Garter stitch is created by knitting every row on both right-side and wrong-side rows, producing a textured, reversible fabric with horizontal ridges. This fundamental stitch requires no complex shaping or color work, making it accessible to intermediate knitters.
• Knit Stitch: The basic building block of the garter stitch fabric.
• Bind Off: Used to secure stitches at the completion of each piece, worked loosely to maintain flexibility in the finished garment.
• Pick Up and Knit: Applied along the neckline to create the neckband, picking up one stitch for each ridge along the front edges and one stitch for each stitch across the back neck opening.

Materials

The pattern calls for Encore Worsted yarn by Plymouth Yarn, shown in the tan colorway (color number 6003). Yardage requirements are 7 balls for Small, 8 balls for Medium, and 9 balls for Large, with each ball weighing 100 grams. The recommended gauge is 16 stitches over 4 inches when worked on a US 9 needle in garter stitch.

Needles required include US 9 needles (32-inch circular size) for the main garment pieces and US 8 circular needles for the neckband. Circular needles are specified to accommodate the number of stitches cast on for the back and sleeves. The pattern notes that needle size may be adjusted as necessary to obtain the specified gauge of 16 stitches per 4 inches.

Pattern Details and Construction

The back piece is cast on with 86 (96, 106) stitches and worked in garter stitch to the full length of 25 (26, 27) inches. Each front panel begins with 32 (36, 40) stitches and is worked to the same length as the back. The two sleeves are identical, each cast on with 80 stitches and worked to a length of 12 inches, creating drop sleeves that fall naturally from the shoulder.

Assembly begins with seaming the shoulder seams while deliberately leaving the center 5½ (6, 6½) inches of the back open to form the neckline. Sleeves are then sewn into the armholes, and side seams are closed. The neckband is created by picking up stitches around the neck opening and working in garter stitch for 4 inches before binding off with the larger needles. This extended neckband creates the characteristic kimono collar effect.

The pattern emphasizes loose casting on and binding off throughout, which helps maintain the relaxed drape and flexibility of the finished garment. All yarn ends are woven in to complete the project.

Design Information

Pattern No. 1413 was designed by JoAnne Turcotte and published by Plymouth Yarn Company. The copyright is held by Plymouth Yarn Company, with the original design date of 2008 and subsequent copyright renewal in 2014.