Knitted Kimono Cardigan in Lion Brand Homespun - 20132A

Knitted Kimono Cardigan in Lion Brand Homespun – Pattern 20132A

This free downloadable knitting pattern from Lion Brand Yarn guides you through creating a Knitted Kimono Cardigan using their signature Homespun yarn. The design has a relaxed, flowing kimono silhouette with generous sizing options, making it a wearable and stylish layering piece suitable for a range of body types. The pattern is rated Intermediate in difficulty, meaning knitters who are comfortable with basic techniques and ready to explore two-color slip stitch work will find this an enjoyable and rewarding project.

Garment Overview and Sizing

The Knitted Kimono Cardigan is an oversized, open-front wrap-style cardigan inspired by the traditional kimono silhouette. It is available in four sizes:

• Small – Finished Chest 44 inches, Length 32 inches
• Medium – Finished Chest 50 inches, Length 34 inches
• Large – Finished Chest 56 inches, Length 34½ inches
• 1X – Finished Chest 62 inches, Length 35 inches

The generous finished measurements reflect the relaxed, draped aesthetic of kimono-style garments. Knitters are advised to circle all numbers pertaining to their chosen size before beginning, a helpful practice when working from a multi-size pattern.

Construction Method

One of the most notable structural features of this pattern is that the kimono body is knit in one piece to the armhole, worked back and forth on a circular knitting needle. This seamless lower-body construction minimizes finishing work and helps maintain an even tension throughout the fabric. After the armhole bind-off, the work is divided and the pieces are completed separately. The garment is then assembled, with end stitches that fall at seam edges neatly hidden during finishing.

A key finishing technique used in this pattern is the 3-Needle Bind Off, a classic method for joining two sets of live stitches together while simultaneously binding them off. This creates a clean, professional seam without the need for sewing, and is particularly well-suited to chunky or textured yarns like Homespun where a bulky sewn seam could be unflattering.

Techniques and Stitches Used

The primary decorative and structural stitch in this pattern is the Slip Stitch pattern, worked over a multiple of 2 stitches plus 1. This two-color slip stitch technique creates a woven, textured fabric by alternating between a main color and a contrast color across a four-row repeat. The slip stitch method is a wonderful introduction to colorwork for knitters who have not yet tried stranded or intarsia techniques, as only one color is ever worked in a single row — the second color is simply slipped without being knitted.

The four-row Slip Stitch repeat breaks down as follows:

• Row 1 (RS): Knit across with Main Color (MC)
• Row 2: Knit across with MC
• Row 3: With Contrast Color (CC), knit 1, then alternate slipping 1 stitch as if to purl with yarn in back and knitting 1
• Row 4: With CC, knit 1, then alternate slipping 1 stitch as if to purl with yarn in front and knitting 1

The distinction between yarn in back (wyib) and yarn in front (wyif) on the slip stitch rows creates a subtle dimensional texture that gives the fabric its characteristic woven appearance. Because the yarn not in use is simply carried up the edge of the piece rather than cut between color changes, this method is efficient and keeps yarn ends to a minimum.

Additional techniques referenced in the pattern include the use of stitch holders to keep live stitches secure while other sections are worked, and standard knitting assembly with a large-eyed blunt needle for weaving in ends and seaming.

Materials Required

The pattern calls for Lion Brand Homespun, a bulky-weight yarn beloved for its soft, chenille-like texture and subtle color variations. Two colorways are specified:

• #312 Edwardian – the Main Color (MC), required