Kiboushi

Kiboushi Pullover by Ririko

What is Being Made

Kiboushi is a stylish pullover sweater featuring a boxy silhouette with a distinctive high-low slit hem. The garment combines contemporary silhouette design with feminine lace detailing, creating a versatile piece suitable for intermediate knitters. The pullover is available in eight sizes, ranging from bust circumference 97 cm (38¼") to 192.5 cm (75¾"), with front lengths from 30–36 cm (11¾–14¼") and back lengths from 34–40 cm (13½–15¾"), accommodating various body types and fit preferences.

Lace Pattern and Design Details

A bold lace pattern adorns the shoulders, sleeves, and lower body of the Kiboushi, adding a feminine and decorative element to the otherwise clean, minimalist silhouette. The lace detailing provides visual interest while maintaining the garment's modern aesthetic. The high-low hem construction—where the front is shorter than the back—creates an asymmetrical, contemporary look that adds movement and dimension to the finished piece.

Knitting Techniques

This intermediate-level knitting project employs lace knitting techniques to create the decorative pattern elements across the shoulders, sleeves, and lower body sections. Lace knitting requires careful attention to yarn overs and decreases to form the characteristic open, eyelet-like patterns. The construction involves shaping techniques to achieve the boxy silhouette and precise increases and decreases to create the high-low hem variation between front and back pieces. Knitters will work with multiple pieces that require assembly and finishing.

Stitches Used

While specific stitch abbreviations are not detailed in the pattern excerpt provided, the lace pattern elements utilize fundamental lace knitting stitches including yarn overs and decreases. The main body sections likely employ stockinette stitch as a foundation, with lace pattern rows interspersed throughout the shoulder, sleeve, and lower body areas. The construction method requires proficiency with standard knitting abbreviations and the ability to read lace charts or written lace pattern instructions.

Yarn and Materials

The Kiboushi pattern is designed for 4-ply fingering weight yarn. The recommended yarn is Kettle Yarn Co. Islington, a blend of wool and silk offering 400 meters (437 yards) per 100 gram skein. Yardage requirements range from approximately 930 yards for Size 1 to 1,690 yards or more for the larger sizes, depending on the specific size selected. The sample featured in the pattern was knitted in the colorway Squirrelly, a warm brown shade. Knitters may substitute any fingering weight yarn of similar yardage and fiber content. Standard knitting needles appropriate for 4-ply yarn weight are required, along with basic finishing supplies such as stitch markers and a tapestry needle for seaming and weaving in ends.

Sizing and Fit

The Kiboushi offers generous sizing options with suggested ease ranging from +15 to +45 cm (+6 to +17¾") at the bust, allowing knitters to customize the fit from close to very relaxed. The sample garment shown was knitted with +19.5 cm (+7¾") of ease, providing a comfortable, slightly loose fit typical of contemporary pullover styling. Multiple finished measurements are provided to ensure accurate sizing before beginning the project.

Pattern Format and Designer

Kiboushi is a downloadable PDF knitting pattern designed by independent designer Ririko. The pattern is formatted for personal use only and represents version 1 of the design, originally published in 2020. The PDF format allows knitters to print and reference the pattern while working, with detailed finished measurements and construction guidance included throughout the document.