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Knit Kimono Sweater

The Knit Kimono Sweater is a beautiful layering piece to add to your wardrobe. The ombre violet color is reminiscent of a bright spring day. The drape of the sweater will look stylish and flattering on just about anyone. Plus, the sleeve length ensures proper range of motion, so you don't need to worry about being hindered by an impractical design. This free sweater knitting pattern includes instructions for multiple sizes. Participate in the trend of wearing slightly oversized clothing by working up this beauty today. You will not be disappointed with the end result.

NotesDirections are for size Extra Small; changes for sizes Small, Medium, Large, and Extra-Large are in parentheses.

Knitting Needle Size8 or 5 mm, Circular Knitting Needles

Yarn Weight(4) Medium Weight/Worsted Weight and Aran (16-20 stitches to 4 inches)

Gauge18 sts = 4” (10 cm); 24 rows = 4” (10 cm) in St st. CHECK YOUR GAUGE. Use any size needles to obtain the gauge.

Finished SizeTo fit bust measurement: 34 (38, 42, 46, 50)" [86.25 (96.5, 106.5, 116.75, 127) cm]

Materials List

  • RED HEART® Super Saver Ombre™: 3 (4, 4, 5, 5) skeins 3969 Violet
  • Susan Bates® Circular Knitting Needles: 5mm [US 8] 24" (61 cm) or longer
  • Stitch holders
  • Yarn needle

Instructions

Special Abbreviation
ssk (slip, slip, knit) = slip next two stitches knitwise to right needle, insert point of left needle through front of sts, knit these sts together – 1 st dec.

Special Techniques
Cable Cast On = Turn work so stitches are on left needle, *insert needle between first and 2nd stitch on left needle, wrap and draw loop through (as if making a knit st), slip the new stitch back onto the left needle; repeat from * until the desired number of stitches have been cast-on.
Three-Needle Bind Off: Place the live sts for both sides of the shoulder onto a needle. You will have an equal number of sts on both needles. Hold needles parallel with wrong sides together in your left hand. Take a third needle in your right hand and * insert it knitwise into the first stitch on the needle closest to you and at the same time knitwise into the first stitch on the back needle. Wrap as for a knit stitch and draw the working yarn through both stitches to make one stitch, which is now on the right hand needle.* Repeat from * to * so that there are now two stitches on the right hand needle. Using the tip of one of the needles in your left hand, lift the first stitch worked over the second stitch worked to bind off.

Note
For color matching on front, begin Right Front and Left Front at the same place in the color gradation. For color matching on Back, begin at the same place as fronts and alternate two skeins, working 2 rows with one skein and 2 rows with a second skein.

Left Front

Cast on 38 (42, 46, 50, 54) sts.
Row 1: K1, *p2, k2; repeat from * to last st, k1.
Repeat Row 1, working in Double Rib until piece measures 2" (5 cm). Change to St st. Work in St st until piece measures 6" (15.25 cm), ending with a Wrong Side row.

Left Front Neck
Next row (dec): K1, work in St st to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1 – 37 (41, 45, 49, 53) sts. Work dec row every 8 rows for a total of 12 (12, 14, 16, 16) times.
AT THE SAME TIME, when piece measures 12 (12, 12, 13, 13)" [30.5 (30.5, 30.5, 33, 33) cm] from cast on and ending with a Wrong Side row, use Cable Cast On to cast on 38 (38, 42, 42, 42) sts for sleeve – 64 (68, 74, 76, 80) sts.
Work across all sts until sleeve measures 10 (10, 12, 12, 13)" [25.5 (25.5, 30.5, 30.5, 33) cm]. Place sts on a st holder.

Right Front

Cast on 38 (42, 46, 50, 54) sts.
Row 1: K1, *k2, p2; repeat from * to last st, k1.
Repeat Row 1, working in Double Rib until piece measures 2" (5 cm). Change to St st. Work in St st until piece measures 6" (15.25 cm), ending with a Wrong Side row.
Right Front Neck
Next row (dec): K1, ssk, work in St st to last st, k1 – 37 (41, 45, 49, 53) sts. Work dec row every 8 rows for a total of 12 (12, 14, 16, 16) times.
AT THE SAME TIME, when piece measures 12 (12, 12, 13, 13)" [30.5 (30.5, 30.5, 33, 33) cm] from cast on and ending with a Right Side row, use Cable Cast On to cast on 38 (38, 42, 42, 42) sts for sleeve – 64 (68, 74, 76, 80) sts. Work across all sts until sleeve measures 10 (10, 12, 12, 13)" [25.5 (25.5, 30.5, 30.5, 33) cm]. Place sts on a st holder.

Back

Cast on 80 (88, 100, 108, 116) sts.
Row 1 (Right Side): K3, *p2, k2; repeat from * to last st, k1.
Row 2: K1, p2, *k2, p2; repeat from * to last st, k1.
Repeat Rows 1-2, working in Double Rib until piece measures 2" (5 cm).
Change to St st. Work in St st until piece measures 12 (12, 12, 13, 13)" [30.5 (30.5, 30.5, 33, 33) cm] from cast on, ending with a Wrong Side row.
Next row (Right Side): Using Cable Cast On, cast on 38 (38, 42, 42, 42) sts for right sleeve, work even in St st to end of row – 118 (126, 142, 150, 158) sts.
Next row: Using Cable Cast On, cast on 38 (38, 42, 42, 42) for left sleeve, work even in St st to end of row – 156 (164, 184, 192, 200) sts.
Work across all sts until sleeve measures 10 (10, 12, 12, 13)” [25.5 (25.5, 30.5, 30.5, 33) cm] or to match Left Front and Right Front.

Finishing

Using three-needle bind off, join Back to Fronts. Bind off 28 (28, 36, 40, 40) sts center Back sts.

  1. Sleeve Cuffs
    With Left Front and Right Side facing, pick up and knit 90 (90, 98, 98, 104) sts.
    Row 1: K1, *k2, p2; repeat from * to last st, k1.
    Repeat Row 1, working in Double Rib until cuff measures 1½" (3.75 cm) or desired length.
    Bind off.
    Repeat for Right Front and Back cuffs.

    With yarn needle, sew Sleeve and side seams of Right Front and Left Front to Back.

  2. Shawl Collar
    At bottom edge of Right Front and with Right Side facing, pick up and knit 115 (115, 113, 117, 117) sts to shoulder seam, pick up and knit 28 (28, 36, 40, 40) sts across Back neck, and pick up and knit 115 (115, 113, 117, 117) sts to bottom edge of Left Front – 258 (258, 262, 274, 274) sts.
    Row 1 (Wrong Side): P2, *k2, p2; repeat from * to end of row.
    Work in Double Rib until the rib measures 3" (7.5 cm) or desired width.
    Bind off all sts loosely.

    With yarn needle, weave in all ends. Block sweater.

  3. Click image to enlarge

Abbreviations

dec
decrease(s)(d)(ing)
K
knit
k2tog
knit the next 2 stitches together
mm
millimeters
P
purl
st(s)
stitch(es)
St st
Stockinette stitch
*
repeat whatever follows the * as indicated

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