Seaside Kimono Cardi in Lion Brand Fishermen's Wool - 80903AD

Seaside Kimono Cardi in Lion Brand Fishermen's Wool – Free Knitting Pattern (80903AD)

The Seaside Kimono Cardi is a beautifully structured, kimono-style cardigan knitting pattern from Lion Brand Yarn, offered as a free downloadable PDF (Pattern Number 80903AD). Worked in the beloved Lion Brand Fishermen's Wool, this intermediate-level project produces a relaxed, open-front cardigan with a classic kimono silhouette — wide sleeves, a flowing body, and a sophisticated two-color design that gives it a timeless, artisan feel. It is an ideal project for knitters who are ready to move beyond basic garment construction and explore shaping, cabling, and colorwork in a wearable, everyday piece.

Garment Overview

The Seaside Kimono Cardi is designed as a casual yet refined layering piece. Its kimono-inspired shape features a relaxed, open front with wide, draped sleeves characteristic of traditional kimono styling. The finished garment comes in two size ranges:

• S–L: Finished Bust 49 in. (124.5 cm), Finished Length 23½ in. (59.5 cm)
• 1X–2X: Finished Bust 55 in. (140 cm), Finished Length 27½ in. (70 cm)

The generous ease built into both sizes makes this cardigan comfortable and flattering across a wide range of body types. The pattern is written for the smaller size, with changes for the larger size noted in parentheses — a standard convention that knitters at the intermediate level will find easy to follow. The recommendation to circle all relevant numbers before beginning is a helpful tip for staying organized throughout the project.

Skill Level and Techniques

This pattern is rated Intermediate, meaning it is best suited for knitters who are already comfortable with basic knitting construction and are ready to practice more advanced techniques. Key techniques used in this pattern include:

• Cable knitting – worked with a Lion Brand Cable Needle (Set of 2), cables add texture and visual interest to the fabric, creating raised, rope-like or twisted column effects that are a hallmark of traditional Fishermen's wool garments
• Two-color knitting – the pattern uses two colorways of Lion Brand Fishermen's Wool to create color contrast and depth within the design
• Garment shaping – intermediate shaping techniques are used to construct the kimono silhouette, including sleeve and body proportioning
• Finishing with circular needles – an additional circular knitting needle in size 8 (5 mm) is used for picking up and working border or edging stitches, a common finishing technique for clean, professional-looking necklines and front bands
• Seaming and finishing – worked with Large-Eye Blunt Needles (Set of 6) for joining pieces and weaving in ends neatly

Stitches Used

While the full stitch list is detailed within the PDF, the pattern incorporates a combination of foundational and textural stitches typical of cable-accented garments knitted in worsted-weight wool:

• Knit and purl stitches – the fundamental building blocks used throughout the body and sleeves
• Cable stitches – executed using a cable needle to cross stitches over one another, producing the signature twisted texture associated with classic Fishermen's knitting traditions
• Ribbing or border stitches – likely used at edges and cuffs for elasticity and a tidy finish, worked on the size 8 circular needle

Materials

This pattern is specifically designed for Lion Brand Fishermen's Wool, a 100% pure wool yarn celebrated for its durability, stitch definition, and natural, rustic character. It is an ideal choice for cable work because its smooth, firm twist allows cable crossings to stand out crisp and clear. The two colors called for are:

• 150-123 Lion Brand Fishermen's Wool in Oatmeal (Color A) – 3 balls for both sizes
• 150-126 Lion Brand Fishermen's Wool in