Butter Yellow Kimono-Sleeve Cardigan

An Easy Rectangle Crochet Cardigan (Beginner-Friendly)

A relaxed, boxy T-shaped cardigan made entirely from simple rectangles — no complicated shaping. The wide kimono sleeves and open front give it an effortless, drapey feel. Perfect for confident beginners: if you can chain and half double crochet, you can make this.

SKILL LEVEL

Beginner (works flat in rows; simple seaming)

SIZES

XS · S · M · L · XL · 2XL

Instructions are written for size XS, with all other sizes in parentheses: XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL)

This is designed to be worn with 6–10 inches of positive ease (oversized fit).

Finished Measurements

Bust is measured as total garment width laid flat and doubled. As an open-front cardigan there is no set closure, so wear it as loose or overlapped as you like.

MATERIALS

• Yarn: Worsted weight (#4 medium) 100% cotton in butter yellow Recommended: a smooth, matte cotton for drape and stitch definition.
• Yardage required (approximate total):
  • XS: 1200 yds (1097 m)
  • S: 1300 yds (1189 m)
  • M: 1450 yds (1326 m)
  • L: 1600 yds (1463 m)
  • XL: 1750 yds (1600 m)
  • 2XL: 1900 yds (1737 m) Buy one extra skein to be safe.
• Hook: US I-9 / 5.5 mm
• Tapestry/yarn needle for seaming and weaving in ends
• Scissors
• Stitch markers (a few)
• Optional: 1 large button or toggle, or fabric for a tie belt

GAUGE

14 hdc × 10 rows = 4 in (10 cm) using 5.5 mm hook.

That works out to 3.5 sts per inch and 2.5 rows per inch.

Please make a gauge swatch — it determines the final size. Chain 20, work hdc rows until square, then measure.

ABBREVIATIONS (US Terms)

CONSTRUCTION OVERVIEW (Read First)

This cardigan is a simple T-shape made of 5 flat rectangles:

1. Back — 1 large rectangle
2. Left Front — 1 narrow rectangle
3. Right Front — 1 narrow rectangle
4. Sleeves — 2 wide rectangles (same width top to bottom — NOT tapered)

You seam the shoulders, attach the sleeves at right angles (dropped shoulder), seam the sides and underarms, then add a simple single crochet border. That's it!

Diagram (layout of pieces):

        [ SLEEVE ]                    [ SLEEVE ]
            |                             |
 +----------+----------+----------+-------+----+
 |  LEFT    |         BACK        |    RIGHT    |
 |  FRONT   |                     |    FRONT    |
 |          |                     |             |
 +----------+---------------------+------------+
        (open front down the center)

STITCH COUNTS PER PIECE

Math check (XS): Back 70 sts ÷ 3.5 sts/in = 20 in wide. Two fronts (35 + 35 = 70 sts) = 20 in, matching the back. Length 60 rows ÷ 2.5 rows/in = 24 in. ✓

PATTERN

Note on the starting chain: Your foundation chain does NOT count as a stitch row. Ch 1 at the start of each row is a turning chain and does not count as a stitch. Work your first hdc into the first stitch.

PIECE 1 — BACK

Ch 71 (78, 85, 92, 99, 106). (That is your stitch count + 1 turning chain.)

Row 1 (RS): Working in the 2nd ch from hook, hdc across. — 70 (77, 84, 91, 98, 105) sts.

Row 2: Ch 1, turn. Hdc in each st across. — count stays the same.

Rows 3 to 60 (60, 63, 63, 66, 66): Rep Row 2.

Fasten off. This is your Back rectangle:

• Width = 20 (22, 24, 26, 28, 30) in
• Length = 24 (24, 25, 25, 26, 26) in

PIECE 2 — LEFT FRONT

Ch 36 (40, 43, 47, 50, 54).

Row 1 (RS): Hdc in 2nd ch from hook and across. — 35 (39, 42, 46, 49, 53) sts.

Row 2: Ch 1, turn. Hdc in each st across.

Rows 3 to 60 (60, 63, 63, 66, 66): Rep Row 2.

Fasten off.

PIECE 3 — RIGHT FRONT

Work exactly the same as the Left Front.

Fasten off.

Both fronts together (35 + 35 sts at XS) equal the back width, so the garment closes evenly. ✓

PIECE 4 & 5 — SLEEVES (Kimono Style — Make 2)

Kimono sleeves are wide, straight rectangles — the same width all the way up. Do not increase or decrease.

Ch 53 (53, 53, 57, 57, 57).

Row 1 (RS): Hdc in 2nd ch from hook and across. — 52 (52, 52, 56, 56, 56) sts.

Row 2: Ch 1, turn. Hdc in each st across.

Rows 3 to 45: Rep Row 2.

Fasten off.

Each sleeve measures:

• Width = 15 (15, 15, 16, 16, 16) in
• Length = 18 in

Make a second sleeve identically.

ASSEMBLY

Lay all pieces flat and block lightly with a damp cloth or steam before seaming — cotton relaxes and evens out beautifully. Use a tapestry needle and mattress stitch (or sl st seam) throughout.

Step 1 — Seam the Shoulders

Lay the Back flat (RS up). Place a Front on top of each side, RS together, aligning the top edges.

• From each outer edge, seam across the top for about 4 in (10 cm) for the shoulder.
• Leave the center open — this gap becomes the neckline.

Tip: The remaining center gap across the top of the back should be roughly 9–11 in wide for the neck opening.

Step 2 — Attach the Sleeves (Dropped Shoulder)

Open the joined body flat so the shoulder seams lie in the center (a big flat T-shape).

• Find the shoulder seam. Center the top edge of one sleeve over the shoulder seam so the sleeve hangs at a right angle to the body.
• Sew the sleeve's top edge to the body along the armhole line. The sleeve attaches to a straight edge — no armhole shaping.
• Repeat with the second sleeve on the other side.

The sleeve is 18 in long and attaches perpendicular — this creates the classic dropped kimono shoulder.

Step 3 — Seam the Sides

Fold the garment at the shoulders so fronts and back are RS together.

• Starting at the hem, seam up each side toward the underarm, stopping at the point where the sleeve begins.

Step 4 — Seam the Sleeve Undersides

Continue seaming from the underarm out to the cuff of each sleeve, closing the sleeve tube.

Step 5 — Turn Right Side Out

Turn the cardigan right side out. Try it on!

BORDER PATTERN

Worked continuously around the entire front and neck opening for a clean finish.

Round 1 (sc border): Join yarn with a sl st at the bottom right front hem corner.

• Ch 1. Work sc evenly up the right front edge, around the back neckline, and down the left front edge, ending at the left front hem.
• Work about 3 sc for every 4 rows along the vertical front edges to keep the border flat and prevent puckering.
• Work 1 sc in each st across the back neck.
• Place 3 sc in each corner (bottom front corners) to turn cleanly.
• Do not join into a round; work back and forth if you prefer, or continue around the hem for a fully bordered edge (optional).

Round 2: Ch 1, turn. Sc in each sc across. Fasten off.

Optional Cuff & Hem Edging

For a tidy finish, join yarn at a sleeve cuff and work 1 round of sc around each cuff, and 1 round of sc along the bottom hem. Fasten off.

Optional Crab Stitch (Reverse Sc) Finish

For a subtle corded edge, after your final sc round work 1 row of reverse sc (work sc backward, left to right). This adds a polished, professional look.

CLOSURE OPTIONS (Choose One)

• Worn open (no closure) — the classic kimono cardigan look.
• Single button/toggle: Sew a button to one front and use a chain loop on the other. Best placed at chest or waist height.
• Tie belt / sash: Ch a length of about 60 in, work 2 rows of hdc, and thread through the fronts or tie at the waist.

FINISHING

1. Weave in all ends securely with a tapestry needle.
2. Give the finished cardigan a final gentle block: lay flat, mist with water, gently pat to shape, and let dry fully. Cotton opens up its drape beautifully when blocked.
3. Enjoy your butter yellow kimono cardigan!

QUICK REFERENCE — WHAT EACH PIECE SHOULD MEASURE (XS)

Final math check: Back (20 in) = Left Front (10 in) + Right Front (10 in). Bust laid flat = 20 in front + 20 in back... measured as a tube = 40 in circumference. ✓

Happy crocheting! 🧶💛