purlJam

# Butter Yellow Kimono-Sleeve Cardigan
### An Easy Rectangle Cardigan — Beginner Friendly

A breezy, oversized T-shaped cardigan made from simple rectangles. There is **no complicated shaping** — if you can crochet a straight rectangle, you can make this cardigan! Worked in soft cotton with relaxed kimono sleeves and an open front.

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## SKILL LEVEL
**Easy / Beginner** — straight rows, no increases or decreases in the main pieces.

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## MATERIALS

- **Yarn:** Worsted weight (#4) 100% cotton yarn in **Butter Yellow**
  - Recommended: a smooth, matte cotton (e.g., Lily Sugar 'n Cream, Paintbox Cotton Aran, or similar)
- **Yardage required (approximate):**
  | Size | Yards | Meters | ~Skeins (120 yd/skein) |
  |------|-------|--------|------------------------|
  | XS | 1100 | 1006 | 10 |
  | S | 1250 | 1143 | 11 |
  | M | 1400 | 1280 | 12 |
  | L | 1550 | 1417 | 13 |
  | XL | 1750 | 1600 | 15 |
  | 2XL | 1950 | 1783 | 17 |
- **Hook:** US H-8 / **5.0 mm** (for body) + US H-8 for border
- **Notions:** Tapestry/yarn needle, stitch markers, scissors, measuring tape
- Optional: 1 button or pair of fabric ties for closure

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## GAUGE
**14 hdc × 11 rows = 4 in (10 cm)** in half double crochet.

> ⏱ **Take time to check your gauge!** Make a 5 × 5 in swatch in hdc. If your swatch is too big, go down a hook size; too small, go up. Gauge is forgiving on this oversized fit, but it affects yardage and final size.

**Conversion used throughout:** 3.5 sts = 1 in; 2.75 rows = 1 in.

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## ABBREVIATIONS (US Terms)
| Abbr. | Meaning |
|-------|---------|
| ch | chain |
| st(s) | stitch(es) |
| sc | single crochet |
| hdc | half double crochet |
| sl st | slip stitch |
| RS | right side |
| WS | wrong side |
| rep | repeat |
| beg | beginning |
| turn | turn work |

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## SIZING & FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

This cardigan is designed with **generous, oversized ease (8–12 in)**. Choose your size based on the finished bust you want, not your exact body measurement.

| Size | To Fit Bust | **Finished Bust*** | Body Length | Sleeve Width | Sleeve Length |
|------|-------------|-------------------|-------------|--------------|---------------|
| XS | 30–32 in | 40 in | 23 in | 16 in | 16 in |
| S | 33–35 in | 42 in | 24 in | 18 in | 17 in |
| M | 36–38 in | 46 in | 25 in | 18 in | 17 in |
| L | 39–42 in | 50 in | 26 in | 20 in | 18 in |
| XL | 43–46 in | 54 in | 27 in | 20 in | 18 in |
| 2XL | 47–51 in | 58 in | 28 in | 22 in | 18 in |

*Finished bust = total circumference when worn closed/edges meeting (Back width + 2 Front widths). Worn open, fronts simply drape.

**Length required for cardigan:** body pieces are worked to **23–28 in** depending on size (see table). Add ~½ in for the finished border.

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## STITCH COUNTS PER SIZE

Below are the foundation chain counts and rows for each rectangle. *Foundation = stitch count + 1 turning chain (the ch-1 does not count as a stitch).*

### BACK (1 piece) — width = Finished Bust ÷ 2
| Size | Width | Starting sts | Ch to make | Rows (length) |
|------|-------|--------------|-----------|---------------|
| XS | 20 in | 70 | 71 | 63 |
| S | 21 in | 74 | 75 | 66 |
| M | 23 in | 80 | 81 | 69 |
| L | 25 in | 88 | 89 | 72 |
| XL | 27 in | 94 | 95 | 74 |
| 2XL | 29 in | 102 | 103 | 77 |

**Math check (S):** 74 sts ÷ 3.5 = 21.1 in ✓; 66 rows ÷ 2.75 = 24 in ✓

### FRONT (make 2) — each width = Back width ÷ 2
| Size | Width | Starting sts | Ch to make | Rows (length) |
|------|-------|--------------|-----------|---------------|
| XS | 10 in | 35 | 36 | 63 |
| S | 10.5 in | 37 | 38 | 66 |
| M | 11.5 in | 40 | 41 | 69 |
| L | 12.5 in | 44 | 45 | 72 |
| XL | 13.5 in | 47 | 48 | 74 |
| 2XL | 14.5 in | 51 | 52 | 77 |

**Math check (S):** 2 fronts (37+37=74 sts) + back (74 sts) = 148 sts ÷ 3.5 = 42.3 in ≈ 42 in finished bust ✓

### SLEEVE (make 2) — wide rectangle, NO tapering
| Size | Width | Starting sts | Ch to make | Length | Rows |
|------|-------|--------------|-----------|--------|------|
| XS | 16 in | 56 | 57 | 16 in | 44 |
| S | 18 in | 63 | 64 | 17 in | 47 |
| M | 18 in | 63 | 64 | 17 in | 47 |
| L | 20 in | 70 | 71 | 18 in | 50 |
| XL | 20 in | 70 | 71 | 18 in | 50 |
| 2XL | 22 in | 77 | 78 | 18 in | 50 |

**Math check (S):** 63 sts ÷ 3.5 = 18 in ✓; 47 rows ÷ 2.75 = 17.1 in ✓

> 💡 The sleeve is a **plain rectangle** — same width at the cuff and the top. This gives the relaxed, dropped-shoulder kimono look.

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## PATTERN INSTRUCTIONS

All pieces use the same simple hdc rows. Follow the counts for your size from the tables above. The example numbers in parentheses are for **Size S**.

### Basic Stitch Pattern (used for every piece)
- **Foundation Row:** Ch the number listed for your size. Hdc in the 3rd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn. *(The skipped 2 ch count as your first ch-1 + does not count as a st — your st count = starting sts.)*
- **Every Row after:** Ch 1 (does not count as a st), hdc in first st and in each st across. Turn.
- Repeat the row until you reach the number of rows for your size.

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### 1. BACK
1. Ch (75 for S) — use the foundation chain count for your size.
2. **Row 1:** Hdc in 3rd ch from hook and in each ch across → (74) sts. Turn.
3. **Rows 2 to (66):** Ch 1, hdc in each st across. Turn.
4. Fasten off after the final row. Set aside. Piece should measure approx (21 in × 24 in).

### 2. FRONTS (make 2 identical pieces)
1. Ch (38 for S).
2. **Row 1:** Hdc in 3rd ch from hook and in each ch across → (37) sts. Turn.
3. **Rows 2 to (66):** Ch 1, hdc in each st across. Turn.
4. Fasten off. Each front measures approx (10.5 in × 24 in).

> **Optional gentle neckline (still beginner-friendly):** On the last 6 rows of each front, you may sl st across the first 4 sts at the **center-front (neck) edge** before working hdc, to softly round the neck. This is optional — leaving the fronts as plain rectangles gives a clean V/straight neckline.

### 3. SLEEVES (make 2) — Kimono Style
The sleeves are wide rectangles attached at a right angle to the body (no armhole shaping).
1. Ch (64 for S).
2. **Row 1:** Hdc in 3rd ch from hook and in each ch across → (63) sts. Turn.
3. **Rows 2 to (47):** Ch 1, hdc in each st across. Turn.
4. Fasten off. Each sleeve measures approx (18 in wide × 17 in long).

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## ASSEMBLY

Lay all pieces flat. Block lightly first if desired (cotton blocks beautifully).

**Step 1 – Shoulder seams.**
Place a Front on top of the Back with right sides together, matching the **top (shoulder) edges**. Seam straight across from the **outer (armhole) edge** inward, leaving the center-front/neck portion open. For Size S, seam approx **6 in** in from each outer edge (this leaves a neck opening of about 9–10 in across the back top). Repeat for the second Front on the opposite shoulder. Use mattress stitch or sl st seam.

**Step 2 – Mark the sleeve placement.**
Lay the joined body flat (Back facing up, Fronts folded out). Measure down from each shoulder seam along the side edge:
- Half the sleeve width on the front + half on the back = total sleeve top edge.
- Place a marker the sleeve width÷2 above and below the shoulder seam (for S: 9 in above, 9 in below = 18 in total). This is where the **top edge of the sleeve** attaches.

**Step 3 – Attach sleeves (perpendicular / dropped shoulder).**
Center the **top edge of each sleeve rectangle** over the shoulder seam, between your markers. Pin so the sleeve hangs at a **right angle (T-shape)** to the body. Seam the sleeve top edge to the body. Repeat for second sleeve.

**Step 4 – Side & underarm seams.**
Fold the cardigan at the shoulders so Fronts and Back are right sides together. In one continuous line, seam:
- from the **sleeve cuff**, along the sleeve underside, to the underarm,
- then down the **side seam** to the hem.
Leave the lower front edges and neckline open. Repeat on the other side.

**Step 5 – Weave in all ends.**

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## BORDER / EDGING

A simple single-crochet border tidies the front opening, neck, and hems.

**Round 1 (sc round):**
With RS facing, join yarn at the bottom corner of one Front. Ch 1.
- Work sc evenly **up the right front, around the back neck, and down the left front.** Work roughly **3 sc for every 4 rows** along the vertical edges so the border lies flat (do not crowd or stretch).
- Work 3 sc in each front corner to turn neatly.
- Fasten off, or continue to Round 2.

**Round 2 (optional crab stitch / reverse sc):**
Do not turn. Working **left to right** (backwards), reverse sc in each st around the front and neck edge for a pretty corded finish. Fasten off.

**Cuff & hem edging (optional):**
With RS facing, join at a seam and work 1 round of sc evenly around each sleeve cuff and around the bottom hem. Sl st to join, fasten off.

> **Border math check (S):** Front edge = 66 rows. 66 rows × ¾ = ~50 sc per front edge — this keeps the border flat without rippling. ✓

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## OPTIONAL CLOSURE
- **Worn open:** No closure needed — the cardigan drapes naturally.
- **Ties:** Make two chains (ch 40, sl st back along chain), attach one to each front edge at bust level and tie in a bow.
- **Single button:** Sew a button to one front; use a chain loop on the opposite border as the buttonhole.

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## FINISHING
1. Weave in any remaining ends.
2. **Block the finished cardigan** — wet block or steam block to open up the drape, even out stitches, and relax the cotton. This step makes a big difference!

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## FINISHED MEASUREMENTS SUMMARY (Size S example)
- **Bust circumference:** ~42 in
- **Body length:** ~24 in
- **Sleeve width:** ~18 in
- **Sleeve length:** ~17 in
- **Fit:** Oversized, relaxed, dropped-shoulder kimono

Enjoy your soft, sunny **Butter Yellow Kimono Cardigan!** 🧶💛