Kimono in Sirdar No.1 Aran Stonewash - 8271 - Downloadable PDF

Sirdar No.1 Aran Stonewash Kimono Knitting Pattern (8271) – Pattern Summary

This downloadable PDF knitting pattern from Sirdar (pattern number 8271) provides instructions for knitting a kimono-style jacket in Sirdar No.1 Aran Stonewashed yarn. The design is rated as intermediate in difficulty and is available in three sizes — Small, Medium, and Large — with actual measurements ranging from approximately 120 cm (47¼ in) to 160 cm (63¼ in) in width, making it a generously oversized, relaxed-fit garment. The full length ranges from 52 cm to 62 cm (20½ in to 24½ in), and the sleeve length is a consistent 20 cm (8 in) across all sizes, giving the kimono its characteristic wide, bracelet-length sleeve silhouette.

Garment Design and Style

The finished piece is a kimono-style knitted jacket, a versatile layering garment inspired by the traditional Japanese kimono silhouette. This style is characterised by its wide, open front, broad sleeves, and relaxed, draped fit. The knitted version retains these hallmarks while incorporating rich Aran-weight cable and lace detailing, giving it both texture and visual interest. The combination of structured cables and delicate yarn-over lace motifs creates a fabric that is simultaneously cosy and elegant — suitable for wearing as a statement layer over casual or smart outfits.

Techniques Used

• Cable knitting — the pattern features prominent cable panels worked over a central 22-stitch repeat, using both C5B (cable 5 back) and C5F (cable 5 front) techniques. These cables are worked by slipping stitches onto a cable needle held to the back or front of the work before knitting, creating the classic twisted rope effect associated with Aran knitting.
• Lace knitting — yarn-over increases (yfwd and y2rn) are combined with decreases (k2tog, s1, k1, psso) to form an openwork lace pattern that runs alongside the cables, adding lightness and decorative detail.
• Stocking stitch — used as the background fabric for portions of the garment, worked on 5mm needles at a tension of 18 stitches and 24 rows to 10 cm.
• Thumb cast-on method — specified for casting on stitches at the beginning of the back section.
• Shaping — includes standard knitted shaping techniques using decreases and increases to form the kimono silhouette.

Stitches Used

• Knit (k) and purl (p) — the fundamental stitches forming the stocking stitch and reverse stocking stitch fabric.
• C5B — slip next 3 stitches to back on cable needle, knit 2, then knit 3 from cable needle.
• C5F — slip next 2 stitches to front on cable needle, knit 3, then knit 2 from cable needle.
• yfwd (yarn forward) — a single yarn-over increase used in the lace sections.
• y2rn (yarn twice round needle) — a double yarn-over creating an elongated stitch, worked into on the following row as k1, p1 to maintain stitch count.
• k2tog (knit 2 together) — a right-leaning decrease used in lace and shaping.
• s1, k1, psso (slip 1, knit 1, pass slipped stitch over) — a left-leaning decrease paired with k2tog to create balanced lace decreases.
• Cast off in pattern — stitches are cast off while maintaining the established cable and lace pattern for a neat, consistent edge.

Materials Required

The pattern calls for Sirdar No.1