Open Front Kimono

Skill Level: Intermediate

Size: Small (Medium, Large, 1X, 2X, 3X); shown in small size to fit finished bust size 38 (42, 46, 50, 54, 58)” with fronts overlapping. Note: Cardigan is intended to fit with several inches of positive ease

Gauge: 18 sts x 24 rows = 4” [10 cm] in Flora Lace using larger needle after wet blocking; 20 sts x 26 rows = 4” [10 cm] in St st using larger needle after wet blocking.

Materials

Yarn: Fibra Natura Good Earth (47% linen, 53% cotton; 204 yards [187 meters]/100 grams): #101 Crystal (A, 3 (4, 4, 4, 5, 5) hanks), #103 Desert (B, 4 (5, 5, 6, 6, 7) hanks)
Needles: US size 7 (4.5 mm) straight, 40” circular (for front edging) and double-pointed (for I-cord) needles
Notions: Markers, removable markers, tapestry needle, stitch holders

Abbreviations

Tbl: through the back loop
K2tog: knit 2 together

Pattern Notes

When increasing or decreasing in Flora Lace, maintain stitches in pattern as much as possible. If there are not enough stitches to balance increases and decreases, maintain these extra stitches in stockinette stitch.

Pattern

Right Sleeve

With A, CO 59 (65, 71, 77, 83, 89) sts. 

Cuff

Row 1: Purl.
Rows 2-4: Knit.
Row 5: Purl.

Establish Pattern

Work Rows 1-48 of Flora Lace Increase patt – 71 (77, 83, 89, 95, 101) sts. Work Rows 1-12 of Flora Lace, 1 time. Sleeve meas about 10”.

Yoke

Place a removable marker at each edge of piece to indicate edge of Right Shoulder. Work Rows 1-12 of Flora Lace, 3 (3, 4, 4, 5, 5) times, then rep Rows 1-6, – (1, -, 1, -, 1) time.

Separate Front and Back, Shape Right Front Neck

Note: Try placing removable markers between patt reps to more easily keep track of pattern.
Work in patt over 28 (31, 34, 37, 40, 43) sts, turn. Place rem sts on holder.
Cont in patt, BO 4 (4, 5, 5, 6, 6) sts at beg of next WS row, BO 4 (5, 5, 6, 6, 7) sts at beg of next WS row, 5 (5, 6, 6, 7, 7) sts at beg of next 2 WS rows, 5 (6, 6, 7, 7, 8) sts at beg of next WS row. BO rem 5 (6, 6, 7, 7, 8) sts.

Back

Row 1 (RS): BO 9 sts for side of Neck, work in patt over rem 34 (37, 40, 43, 46, 49) sts to end. Cont in patt for 41 more rows. Place sts on holder.

Left Front Neck

CO 5 sts. Beg with Row 7 (1, 7, 1, 7, 1) of patt, CO 5 (6, 6, 7, 7, 8) sts at beg of next WS row, 5 (6, 6, 7, 7, 8) sts at beg of next WS row, 5 (5, 6, 6, 7, 7) sts at beg of next 2 WS rows, 4 (5, 5, 6, 6, 7) sts at beg of next WS row, 4 (4, 5, 5, 6, 6) sts at beg of next WS row– 28 (31, 34, 37, 40, 43) sts. Cont through Row 6 (12, 6, 12, 6, 12) of patt.

Rejoin Left Front with Back

Row 1 (RS): Work next row of patt over Left Front Neck sts, CO 9 sts for side of Neck, work in patt over Back sts – 71 (77, 83, 89, 95, 101) sts. Cont in patt for 35 (41, 47, 53, 59, 65) more rows, ending with Row 6 of patt. Place removable marker at each side of piece to indicate Left shoulder seam. 

Left Sleeve

Work in patt for 12 more rows. Work Rows 1-48 of Flora Lace Decrease – 59 (65, 71, 77, 83, 89) sts rem. Knit 3 rows. Purl 1 row. BO all sts.

Back

With B and RS facing, pick up and knit 95 (105, 115, 125, 135, 145) sts evenly along Back between markers. Work in St st for 14”, ending with WS row.

Hem

Rows 1-5: Knit.
Row 6 (WS): *P1, k1; rep from * to last st, p1.
Row 7: K1, *p1, k1; rep from * to end.
Rows 8-16: Cont in 1×1 ribbing as established.
Rows 17-21: Knit.
Row 22 (WS): Purl. Break yarn. Place sts on holder. 

Right Front

With B and RS facing, pick up and knit 41 (45, 51, 55, 61, 65) sts evenly along Right Front between marker and Neck opening. Work in St st for 14”, ending with WS row.

Hem

Rows 1-5: Knit.
Row 6 (WS): *P1, k1; rep from * to last st, p1.
Row 7: K1, *p1, k1; rep from * to end.
Rows 8-16: Cont in 1×1 ribbing as established.
Rows 17-21: Knit.
Row 22 (WS): Purl. Break yarn. Place sts on holder. 

Left Front

With B and RS facing, pick up and knit 41 (45, 51, 55, 61, 65) sts evenly along Left Front between Neck opening and marker. Complete as for Right Front.

Finishing

Sew Sleeve and Side seams.

Front Edging/Collar

With cir needle, RS facing, and B, pick up and knit 15 sts along side of Right Front Edging, 70 sts along Right Front, 34 (38, 42, 46, 48, 52) sts along Right Front Neck, 9 sts along BO edge, 35 sts along Back Neck, 9 sts along BO edge, 34 (38, 42, 46, 48, 52) sts along Left Front Neck, 70 sts along Left Front, and 15 sts along side of Left Front Edging. (291 (299, 307, 315, 319, 327) sts)
Rows 1-4: Knit.
Row 5 (WS): *P1, k1; rep from * to last st, p1.
Row 6: K1, *p1, k1; rep from * to end.
Rows 7-15: Cont in 1×1 ribbing as established.
Rows 16-20: Knit.
Row 21 (WS): Purl. Break yarn. 

I-Cord Bind Off

CO 3 sts using provisional CO. K2, k2tog tbl (last I-Cord st tog with first Front Edging st) – 1 st BO, sl these 3 sts back to left ndl, k2, k2tog tbl – 1 st BO, sl these 3 sts back to right ndl; rep from * until all Front Edging sts have been BO, [k3, sl these 3 sts back to left ndl] 2 times (corner turned).
With spare dpn, pick up 15 sts from side of Front Edging. * K2, k2tog tbl (last I-Cord st tog with next st from dpn, sl these 3 sts back to left ndl; rep from * across dpn.
Place held Right Front, Back, and Left Front sts to cir ndl. BO all sts using I-Cord BO as established – 3 I-Cord sts rem on ndl. Break yarn leaving 10” tail. Place provisional CO st onto separate ndl. Graft the 2 sets of sts tog using kitchener st.
Weave in ends and block.