Ready to turn heads with a handmade cardigan that’s both cozy and effortlessly stylish? This Free Balanced Colors Crochet Kimono Cardigan Pattern is a joy to make, featuring easy motifs and a comfy fit for all sizes.
Whether you’re layering it for warmth or flair, this is one project your wardrobe will thank you for.
Contents
Materials
- Worsted weight bamboo-blend yarn (3.5 oz / 100 g; 180 yds / 165 m)
Sizes:
• XS/S/M/L – Main Color: 2 braids, Contrast Color: 5 braids
• XL/2/3/4/5XL – Main Color: 3 braids, Contrast Color: 7 braids - Crochet Hooks: U.S. 7 (4.5 mm) and U.S. 8 (5 mm) or size needed to obtain gauge
- Yarn needle
Sizes
To fit bust measurement:
- XS/S/M/L: 28–42″ [71–106.5 cm]
- XL/2/3/4/5XL: 44–62″ [112–157.5 cm]
Finished bust:
- XS/S/M/L: 50″ [127 cm]
- XL/2/3/4/5XL: 70″ [178 cm]
Gauge:
- 14 sc and 17 rows = 4″ [10 cm] with larger hook
- Motif = 5″ [12.5 cm] square with larger hook
Abbreviations
- Approx = Approximately
- Beg = Beginning
- Ch = Chain
- Cont = Continue
- Dc = Double crochet
- Dcbp = Yoh and draw up a loop around post of next st at back of work, inserting hook from right to left. (Yoh and draw through 2 loops on hook) twice.
- Dcfp = Yoh and draw up a loop around post of next st at front of work, inserting hook from right to left. (Yoh and draw through 2 loops on hook) twice.
- Hdc = Half double crochet
- Rem = Remaining
- Rep = Repeat
- Rnd(s) = Round(s)
- RS = Right side
- Sc = Single crochet
- Sl st = Slip stitch
- Sp = Space
- St(s) = Stitch(es)
- Tog = Together
- WS = Wrong side
- Yoh = Yarn over hook
Instructions
The instructions are written for smallest size. If changes are necessary for larger sizes the instructions will be written thus ( ). Numbers for each size are shown in the same color throughout the pattern. When only one number is given in black, it applies to all sizes.
Notes:
- Before working with multishade yarn braid, separate each color link and wind into 5 separate balls.
- Due to the finite amount of yarn in each shade, pattern gauge must be matched to ensure successful results.
Motif
Size XS/S/M/L:
- Make 9 motifs with A as Color 1, B as Color 2, C as Color 3, D as Color 4, and E as Color 5.
- Make 9 motifs with B as Color 1, C as Color 2, D as Color 3, E as Color 4, and A as Color 5.
- Make 9 motifs with C as Color 1, D as Color 2, E as Color 3, A as Color 4, and B as Color 5.
- Make 9 motifs with D as Color 1, E as Color 2, A as Color 3, B as Color 4, and C as Color 5.
- Make 8 motifs with E as Color 1, A as Color 2, B as Color 3, C as Color 4, and D as Color 5.
Total: 44 Motifs
Size XL/2/3/4/5XL:
- Make 12 motifs with A as Color 1, B as Color 2, C as Color 3, D as Color 4 and E as Color 5.
- Make 12 motifs with B as Color 1, C as Color 2, D as Color 3, E as Color 4 and A as Color 5.
- Make 12 motifs with C as Color 1, D as Color 2, E as Color 3, A as Color 4 and B as Color 5.
- Make 12 motifs with D as Color 1, E as Color 2, A as Color 3, B as Color 4 and C as Color 5.
- Make 12 motifs with E as Color 1, A as Color 2, B as Color 3, C as Color 4 and D as Color 5. Total: 60 Motifs
With larger hook and Color 1, ch 4. Join with sl st to first ch to form ring.
1st rnd: Ch 3, [2 dc, (ch 3, 3 dc) 3 times] in ring, ch 3, join with sl st to top of ch-3. Fasten off.
2nd rnd: Join Color 2 with sl st to any corner ch-3 sp, ch 3, (2 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) in same sp, ch 1, [(3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) in next ch-3 sp, ch 1] 3 times, join with sl st to top of beg ch-3. Fasten off.
3rd rnd: Join Color 3 with sl st to any corner ch-3 sp, ch 3, 2 dc in same sp, ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) in next ch-3 sp, ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-3 sp. Fasten off. Leave remaining sts unworked. Do not turn.
4th rnd: Join Color 4 with sl st to top of beg ch-3 of previous rnd, ch 4 (counts as dc and ch-1), (3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1) twice, (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) in next ch-3 sp, (3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1) twice, ch 1, skip next 2 dc, 1 dc in last dc of previous rnd. Fasten off. Leave remaining sts unworked. Do not turn.
5th rnd: Join Color 5 with sl st to beg ch-4 sp of previous rnd, ch 3, 2 dc in same sp, (ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-1 sp) twice, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) in next ch-3 sp, (ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-1 sp) twice, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) around last dc of 4th rnd, ch 1, working across 2nd rnd: 3 dc in next ch-3 sp, ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) in next ch-3 sp, ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-3 sp, ch 1, 3 dc around beg ch-3 of 4th rnd, ch 3, join with sl st to top of beg ch-3. Fasten off.
Finishing
Sew motifs together using appropriate colors through back loops only, with a whip stitch. Arrange the motifs randomly while keeping them all facing the same direction. Fold the work in half to form the cardigan shape. Sew the side and underarm seams.
Body Edging and Collar
With RS facing and smaller hook, join MC with sl st to bottom right corner ch-3 sp of Front opening.
1st rnd: Ch 1, 1 sc in same sp as last sl st, 1 sc in each dc and ch-1 sp to corner ch-3 sp, 2 sc in corner ch-3 sp, working across next Motif: 1 sc in first ch-3 sp, 1 sc in each dc and ch-1 sp to next corner ch-3 sp, 2 sc in corner ch-3 sp. Rep from * up right Front, across back neck, down left Front, and across bottom edge, working 3 sc in Bottom Left Front corner, end with 2 sc in same sp as first sc, join with sl st to first sc.
Collar
2nd row (RS): Ch 3 (counts as dc). 1 dc in each sc up right Front, across back Neck and down left Front. (162 dc.) Turn. Leave remaining sts unworked.
3rd row: Ch 2 (counts as hdc). 1 dcfp around next dc. 1 dcbp around next dc. Rep from * to last dc. 1 hdc in last dc. Turn.
4th row: Ch 2 (counts as hdc). 1 dcfp around next st. 1 dcbp around next st. Rep from * to last st. 1 hdc in top of ch-2. Turn.
5th row: Ch 2 (counts as dc). 1 dcfp around next st. 1 dcbp around next st. Rep from * to last st. 1 hdc in top of ch-2. Turn.
Rep 4th and 5th rows for Ribbing until Collar measures 5″ [12.5 cm], ending on a WS row. Fasten off.
Cuff Edging
With RS facing and smaller hook, join MC with sl st to Sleeve Cuff at underarm seam. Ch 1. Work 1 rnd of sc as given for Body Edging. Join with sl st to first sc. Rep for second Sleeve.
You Did It
This crochet kimono cardigan is a beautiful blend of simple motifs, soothing textures, and wearable comfort. Whether you’re dressing it up or keeping it casual, it’s a timeless piece you’ll love to wear again and again. Happy stitching!
