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# Breezy Mesh Kimono Cardigan
### An Easy T-Shaped Crochet Cardigan in Open Mesh Stitch

A relaxed, airy cardigan worked in simple rectangles using an easy two-stitch mesh pattern. There is no armhole or sleeve shaping — just five rectangles you seam together for a beautifully drapey, oversized kimono cardigan. Perfect for confident beginners.

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## SKILL LEVEL
**Easy** — only chains, double crochet, and single crochet are used. No increases or decreases in the body.

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## SIZES
S/M (L/XL, 2XL/3XL)

Designed with **8–12 inches of positive ease** for a relaxed, oversized fit. Choose by bust circumference and remember the open front means fit is very forgiving.

### Finished Measurements
| Measurement | S/M | L/XL | 2XL/3XL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bust (closed, total) | 44" | 52" | 60" |
| Body length (hem to shoulder) | 24" | 25" | 26" |
| Sleeve length | 17" | 17" | 18" |
| Sleeve width (at any point) | 16" | 17" | 18" |

*Bust is the sum of both fronts + back when worn closed; worn open it drapes loosely.*

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## MATERIALS
- **Yarn:** Worsted weight (#4), a drapey cotton or cotton blend recommended.
  - Approx. yardage: **1300 (1550, 1800) yds**
- **Hook:** US H/8 (5 mm) for body; US G/6 (4 mm) for border (optional, helps tame edges)
- Tapestry needle
- Stitch markers
- Scissors
- Optional: two 18" lengths of yarn or ribbon for front ties

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## GAUGE
In mesh pattern, with US H/8 (5 mm) hook:
**7 mesh units (7 dc + 7 ch-1 spaces) and 9 rows = 4" (10 cm).**

> **1 mesh unit = 1 dc + 1 ch-1 ≈ 0.57".**
> Always check your gauge — mesh stretches, so block your swatch before measuring.

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## ABBREVIATIONS (US Terms)
- **ch** — chain
- **dc** — double crochet
- **sc** — single crochet
- **sp** — space
- **st(s)** — stitch(es)
- **rep** — repeat
- **RS/WS** — right side / wrong side

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## MESH STITCH PATTERN (worked over an even number of base sts)
**Set-up:** Foundation/starting chain.
**Row 1:** dc in 6th ch from hook, *ch 1, skip 1 ch, dc in next ch*, rep across.
**Row 2:** ch 4 (counts as dc + ch 1), turn; skip first dc, dc in next dc, *ch 1, dc in next dc*, rep across, working final dc into the 3rd ch of turning chain.
Rep Row 2 for mesh pattern.

> **Reading the mesh:** Each "dc, ch-1" is one unit. You always place a dc into the dc below and a ch-1 over each ch-1 space. Easy to count: just match the holes!

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## CONSTRUCTION OVERVIEW
You will make **5 rectangles**:
- 1 Back
- 2 Fronts (left and right, identical)
- 2 Sleeves

No shaping is worked. Pieces are seamed at straight shoulders, sleeves attach perpendicular (T-shape, dropped shoulder), then sides and sleeve seams are closed. A simple sc border finishes the open front and neck.

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## PIECE 1 — BACK

**Target width:** 22 (26, 30)"
> Math check: 22" × (7 units ÷ 4") = **38.5 → round to 38 units (S/M)**.
> L/XL: 26 × 1.75 = 45.5 → **46 units**. 2XL/3XL: 30 × 1.75 = 52.5 → **52 units**.

**Foundation chain** = (units × 2) + 5 turning.
- S/M: (38 × 2) + 5 = **81 ch**
- L/XL: (46 × 2) + 5 = **97 ch**
- 2XL/3XL: (52 × 2) + 5 = **109 ch**

**Row 1:** dc in 6th ch from hook, *ch 1, skip 1, dc in next ch*, rep across.
→ You should have **38 (46, 52) dc and 38 (46, 52) ch-1 spaces** (counting the turning-chain space as a unit).

**Rows 2 and on:** Work Mesh Stitch Row 2 until piece measures **24 (25, 26)"** from start.
> Length check: 24" × (9 rows ÷ 4") = **54 rows (S/M)**; L/XL ≈ 56 rows; 2XL/3XL ≈ 59 rows.

Fasten off. Set aside.

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## PIECE 2 & 3 — FRONTS (make 2)

Each front is **half the back width minus a small overlap allowance** for a smooth front edge.

**Target width:** 10 (12, 14)"
> Math check: 10 × 1.75 = 17.5 → **18 units (S/M)**.
> L/XL: 12 × 1.75 = 21 → **22 units**. 2XL/3XL: 14 × 1.75 = 24.5 → **24 units**.

**Foundation chain** = (units × 2) + 5.
- S/M: (18 × 2) + 5 = **41 ch**
- L/XL: (22 × 2) + 5 = **49 ch**
- 2XL/3XL: (24 × 2) + 5 = **53 ch**

**Row 1:** dc in 6th ch from hook, *ch 1, skip 1, dc in next ch*, rep across.
→ **18 (22, 24) units.**

**Rows 2 and on:** Work Mesh Stitch Row 2 until front measures the **same length as the back: 24 (25, 26)"** — i.e. **54 (56, 59) rows**.

> **Optional gentle neckline:** For a slightly angled neck, over the last 4 rows skip the final mesh unit at the neck edge on each row (work to last unit, turn). This is fully optional — the open front drapes well without shaping. *(Difficulty stays easy; if unsure, skip it and leave it straight.)*

Fasten off. Make a second identical front.

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## PIECE 4 & 5 — SLEEVES (make 2)

Wide, straight rectangles — **no tapering** (this is what keeps the kimono shape).

**Target width:** 16 (17, 18)"
> Math check: 16 × 1.75 = 28 → **28 units (S/M)**.
> L/XL: 17 × 1.75 = 29.75 → **30 units**. 2XL/3XL: 18 × 1.75 = 31.5 → **32 units**.

**Foundation chain** = (units × 2) + 5.
- S/M: (28 × 2) + 5 = **61 ch**
- L/XL: (30 × 2) + 5 = **65 ch**
- 2XL/3XL: (32 × 2) + 5 = **69 ch**

**Row 1:** dc in 6th ch from hook, *ch 1, skip 1, dc in next ch*, rep across.
→ **28 (30, 32) units.**

**Rows 2 and on:** Work Mesh Stitch Row 2 until sleeve measures **17 (17, 18)"** from start.
> Length check: 17" × 2.25 rows/inch = **38 rows (S/M, L/XL)**; 2XL/3XL ≈ 41 rows.

Fasten off. Make a second identical sleeve.

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## ASSEMBLY

Block all pieces flat to measurements before seaming — mesh opens up beautifully and squares the edges.

### 1. Shoulder Seams (straight, horizontal)
Lay the back RS up. Place a front on each side, RS together at the top edge.
- The shoulder seam spans from the outer edge **inward 3 (3.5, 4)"** on each side, leaving the center back open for the neck.
> Neck gap check: Back width 22 (26, 30)" − two shoulders of 3 (3.5, 4)" = neck opening **16 (19, 22)"** across the back top edge. The fronts cover the remaining width and form the front neckline.

Seam each shoulder with slip stitch or mattress stitch.

### 2. Attach Sleeves (perpendicular — dropped shoulder)
Find the center of each sleeve's top edge and align it with the shoulder seam. The sleeve top edge attaches straight along the side of the body — **at a right angle**, sitting well below the natural shoulder. Sew the full sleeve-top edge to the body.
> Underarm depth check: half the sleeve width = 8 (8.5, 9)" drops down each side of the body from the shoulder seam — this becomes the armhole depth.

### 3. Side Seams
Seam each side from the hem up to the underarm point (where the sleeve attachment begins). Leave the sleeve area open — it's already joined.

### 4. Sleeve Seams
Fold each sleeve in half and seam the underside from underarm to cuff.

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## BORDER / EDGING
With G/6 (4 mm) hook and RS facing, join yarn at the bottom corner of one front.

**Round 1:** Work sc evenly up the right front, around the back neck, and down the left front. Work **about 2 sc per mesh row** along the vertical edges, and **2 sc per mesh unit** across the neck. Work 3 sc into each corner. Do not break yarn at the hem; continue along the bottom hem if a full border is desired, or fasten off after the front/neck edge.

**Round 2 (optional, neat finish):** Work reverse single crochet (crab stitch) along the same edge for a tidy rope-like trim.

**Cuffs & Hem (optional):** Work 1–2 rounds of sc around each cuff and the bottom hem to stabilize the open mesh.

Fasten off and weave in all ends.

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## CLOSURES (Cardigan Front)
This cardigan is designed to be worn **open** for an easy drape. To add a closure:
- **Ties:** Attach an 18" length of yarn or ribbon to each front edge at about bust height (roughly 8" down from the shoulder seam) and tie at center front.
- **Single button:** Sew one button to one front edge at bust height; use a mesh space on the opposite front as the buttonhole — no extra buttonhole needed thanks to the open mesh!

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## FINAL BLOCKING
Wet-block or steam-block the finished cardigan. Pin the body to the finished measurements, open up the mesh evenly, and let dry fully. This sets the drape and evens out all stitches.

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## QUICK STITCH-COUNT REFERENCE
| Piece | S/M units | L/XL units | 2XL/3XL units | Foundation ch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Back | 38 | 46 | 52 | 81 / 97 / 109 |
| Front (×2) | 18 | 22 | 24 | 41 / 49 / 53 |
| Sleeve (×2) | 28 | 30 | 32 | 61 / 65 / 69 |

> **Final consistency check:** Two fronts (18 + 18 = 36 units) ≈ one back (38 units) — fronts overlap slightly at center for a clean closure. ✓ All sleeve, body, and front lengths matched at the shoulder seam. ✓ No shaping used, preserving the kimono T-shape. ✓

Enjoy your breezy mesh kimono cardigan!