How to Crochet a Kimono

Crochet kimonos for all of your friends and family.

Oriental kimonos were originally made using light fabrics like silk and were worn as everyday garments. Crocheted kimonos are made from heavier, warmer material, and they work well as robes or jackets. Kimonos made from yarn are very soft and comfortable. The pattern in this project works for a short or long kimono depending on your preference. If you're making a long kimono, use a fabric or crochet strip as a belt for holding the kimono closed.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape
• Size J crochet hook
• 3 skeins sport or medium weight yarn
• Scissors
• Stick pins
• Yarn needle

Instructions

Crochet the Front Panels

1. Take a measurement of the chest of the person for whom you're crocheting the kimono. This pattern is for a 38-inch chest. If she has a 38-inch chest, add three inches and use 41 inches for the measurement. The back width of the garment is 20 1/2 inches, and the width of the front pieces add up to 20 1/2 inches. This makes the garment loose and comfortable.

2. Wrap the yarn around the crochet hook once, and catch the yarn facing the skein with the hook. Pull the hooked yarn through the yarn looped around the crochet hook. This makes the first loop on the crochet hook.

3. Catch the yarn facing the skein with the hook, and pull it through the loop on the crochet hook. This makes a chain stitch. Make 59 more chain stitches for a short kimono, or 119 stitches for a long kimono. This makes the first row.

4. Loop the yarn around the crochet hook once, and slide the crochet hook into the last chain stitch beside the crochet hook. Catch the yarn facing the skein with the hook, and pull it through the chain stitch. Catch the yarn facing the skein, and pull it through the first two loops on the crochet hook. Catch the yarn facing the skein, and pull it through the remaining loops on the crochet hook. This is a double crochet stitch. Make one double crochet stitch into each chain stitch on first row. This completes the second row.

5. Chain two stitches, and put a double crochet into each double crochet on row two. Repeat this procedure for the next nine rows. Measure the width of the fabric, and make sure it is 10 1/4 inches wide. Add or remove stitches, so the measurement is correct.

6. Cut the yarn four inches away from the last stitch on the side facing the skein. Pull the yarn through the last stitch, and weave the leftover yarn into the stitches in the fabric using the crochet hook. This finishes the first panel.

7. Make a second identical panel by repeating all of the steps in this section. This gives you the front pieces of the garment.

Crochet the Back Panel

1. Wrap the yarn around the crochet hook once, and catch the yarn facing the skein with the hook. Pull the hooked yarn through the yarn looped around the crochet hook. This makes the first loop on the crochet hook.

2. Make 59 more chain stitches for a short kimono, or 119 stitches for a long kimono. This makes the first row.

3. Place a double crochet stitch into each chain stitch on the first row. This makes the second row.

4. Chain two stitches, and put a double crochet stitch into each stitch on the second row. Repeat this procedure for the next 20 rows. Measure the width of the fabric, and make sure it is 20 1/2 inches wide. Add or remove stitches so the measurement is correct.

5. Cut the yarn four inches away from the last stitch on the side facing the skein. Pull the yarn through the last stitch, and weave the leftover yarn into the stitches in the fabric using the crochet hook. This finishes the first panel.

Crochet the Arms

1. Wrap the yarn around the crochet hook once, and catch the yarn facing the skein with the hook. Pull the hooked yarn through the yarn looped around the crochet hook. This makes the first loop on the crochet hook.

2. Make 51 more chain stitches for the length of the arm. This is for a 26-inch-long arm. Measure the length of the person's arms, and make the length one inch longer than the measurement from the top of the shoulder to the wrist. This makes the first row.

3. Place a double crochet stitch into each chain stitch on the first row. This makes the second row.

4. Chain two stitches, and put a double crochet stitch into each stitch on the second row. Repeat this procedure for the next 13 rows. Measure the width of the fabric, and make sure it is 13 1/2 inches wide. Add or remove stitches, so the measurement is correct.

5. Repeat the directions in this section, so it makes a second identical arm. Set the arm pieces to the side.

6. Cut the yarn four inches away from the last stitch on the side facing the skein. Pull the yarn through the last stitch, and weave the leftover yarn into the stitches in the fabric using the crochet hook. This finishes the first panel.

Putting the Pieces Together

1. Lay the back panel on a flat surface with one of the 20 1/2 inch sections facing you. Place one of the front panels on top of the left side of the back panel with one of the 10 1/2-inch ends facing you. Put the other panel on the right side. Pin the left side of the front and back panel together with stick pins. Start at the bottom, and work your way up to the top. Stop when you get 8 inches from the top. Repeat the procedure with the right edge of the front and bottom panel.

2. Lay one of the arms on a flat surface with one of the 13 1/2-inch sides facing you. Fold the left edge over to the right edge, and line up the edges neatly. Pin the lined-up edges together. Repeat the procedure with the second arm.

3. Move one arm to the top edge of the front and back panels. Pin one of the open ends of the arms into the unpinned area with the pinned area of the arm facing down. Make sure you keep the opening between the arm and shoulder open.

4. Pin the top edge of the front and back panels together starting at the shoulder. Pin eight inches from the shoulder. This leaves two inches free. The edge is folded after it is finished.

5. Thread the yarn needle with 60 inches of yarn. Pull it through, and tie any kind of knot in the end. Pull the needle most of the way through the pinned edge, and slide the needle between the thread and the knot. Pull the thread tight. This locks the thread on the fabric. Sew a line of thread down each of the pinned areas. Wrap the yarn around the end of the needle three times. Pull the thread tight. Cut off any excess yarn. This forms a strong knot. Remove the stick pins from the garment.

6. Turn the finished garment right side out. Fold the edges by the neck two inches on each side, and it is ready for wearing.

Make a Belt

1. Wrap the yarn around the crochet hook once, and catch the yarn facing the skein with the hook. Pull the hooked yarn through the yarn looped around the crochet hook. This makes the first loop on the crochet hook.

2. Make 80 chain stitches. This makes the first row.

3. Put a double crochet stitch into each chain stitch on the first row. This finishes the second row.

4. Chain two stitches, and put a double crochet into the top of each stitch. Repeat this procedure for two more rows.

5. Cut the yarn four inches away from the last stitch on the side facing the skein. Pull the yarn through the last stitch, and weave the leftover yarn into the stitches in the fabric using the crochet hook. This finishes the first panel.

References

• Fave Crafts; Embellished Kimono Jacket; Tammy Hildebrand and Cari Clement
• All Free Crochet; Crochet Kimono; Mary Jane Protus
• Woolcrafting: Learn Basic Crochet Stitches! Then Get Creative!