Chanel-Inspired Tweed Kimono

Beginner Crochet Pattern — Women’s Oversized T-Kimono

A boxy, open-front crochet kimono with the polished look of a classic Chanel tweed jacket. Worked entirely in half double crochet rectangles (no armhole or sleeve shaping), then finished with a contrasting trim that echoes signature Chanel braided edges. Bracelet-length sleeves, optional patch pockets, and decorative buttons complete the feminine couture feel — all at a true beginner level.

Sizes

S/M (L/XL, 2X/3X)

To fit bust approx. 32–38 (40–46, 48–54)" / 81–97 (102–117, 122–137) cm
Designed with 6–12"+ / 15–30+ cm positive ease for an oversized, dropped-shoulder silhouette.

Shown in size S/M.

Finished Measurements

*Bust = back width + both front widths when fronts meet at center.

Materials

Yarn (Worsted weight / category 4)

• MC (Main Color): Approx. 1200 (1500, 1800) yd / 1100 (1370, 1650) m
  Choose a tweed, neppy, or flecked worsted for authentic Chanel texture (wool tweed, wool-acrylic tweed blends, or cotton tweed). Smooth worsted also works if you prefer a cleaner look.
• CC (Contrast Color): Approx. 200 (250, 300) yd / 183 (229, 274) m
  Solid worsted in black, cream, navy, camel, or a soft metallic/gold for classic Chanel trim.

Hook

• US I/9 (5.5 mm), or size needed to obtain gauge
• US H/8 (5.0 mm) optional for slightly firmer border

Notions

• Yarn needle
• Stitch markers (4–6)
• Scissors
• Optional: 2–3 decorative buttons (¾–1" / 2–2.5 cm), sewing needle & thread
• Optional: 2 locking stitch markers for pocket placement

Gauge

14 hdc and 10 rows = 4" (10 cm) with US I/9 (5.5 mm) hook, unblocked.
Please swatch. Oversized fit is forgiving, but length and sleeve width are more critical than bust.

Abbreviations (US Crochet Terms)

• ch — chain
• hdc — half double crochet
• sc — single crochet
• rev sc — reverse single crochet (crab stitch)
• sl st — slip stitch
• st(s) — stitch(es)
• RS — right side
• WS — wrong side
• MC — main color
• CC — contrast color
• PM — place marker
• rep — repeat
• approx. — approximately

Notes

1. Kimono is worked flat in five rectangles: 1 Back, 2 Fronts, 2 Sleeves. There is no armhole shaping, no sleeve tapering, and no waist shaping.
2. Turn at the end of every row. Ch 1 at the start of hdc rows does not count as a stitch.
3. The open front and neck are created by seaming only the outer shoulder sections; inner front edges and center back neck remain open.
4. Sleeves are wide rectangles attached at right angles to the body (classic T-construction / dropped shoulder).
5. Work all body and sleeve pieces in MC. CC is used only for the border (and optional pocket edging).
6. Blocking strongly recommended — it evens stitches and improves drape.
7. Instructions use imperial first; metric is approximate.

Pattern Instructions

BACK

With MC and US I/9 (5.5 mm) hook, ch 78 (92, 106).

Row 1 (RS): Hdc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn. — 77 (91, 105) hdc
(Validation: 77 ÷ 3.5 = 22"; 91 ÷ 3.5 = 26"; 105 ÷ 3.5 = 30" ✓)

Row 2: Ch 1, hdc in each st across, turn. — 77 (91, 105) hdc

Rep Row 2 until piece measures 23 (24, 25)" / 58.5 (61, 63.5) cm from foundation edge — 58 (60, 63) rows total.
(Validation: 58 ÷ 2.5 = 23.2"; 60 ÷ 2.5 = 24"; 63 ÷ 2.5 = 25.2" ✓)

Fasten off, leaving a 24" / 60 cm tail for seaming if desired.
Mark shoulder sections on the final row (RS facing you, top edge):

• Place marker 24 (29, 35) sts in from each side edge.
• Center neck between markers = 29 (33, 35) sts.
  (Validation: 24 + 29 + 24 = 77; 29 + 33 + 29 = 91; 35 + 35 + 35 = 105 ✓)

LEFT FRONT

With MC, ch 40 (47, 54).

Row 1 (RS): Hdc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn. — 39 (46, 53) hdc
(Validation: 39 ÷ 3.5 ≈ 11.14"; 46 ÷ 3.5 ≈ 13.14"; 53 ÷ 3.5 ≈ 15.14" ✓)

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

Rep Row 2 until piece measures same as Back — 58 (60, 63) rows.
Fasten off.

Shoulder note (Left Front): With RS facing and the selvedge that will sit at center front on your right, the outer (left) 24 (29, 35) sts of the top edge will be seamed to the Back left shoulder. The remaining inner 15 (17, 18) sts form the front neckline edge and stay unjoined.
(Validation: 24 + 15 = 39; 29 + 17 = 46; 35 + 18 = 53 ✓)

RIGHT FRONT

Work identical to Left Front.
39 (46, 53) hdc; 58 (60, 63) rows.

Shoulder note (Right Front): Mirror of Left — outer 24 (29, 35) sts seam to Back right shoulder; inner 15 (17, 18) sts remain open for neckline.

SLEEVES (make 2)

With MC, ch 64 (71, 78).

Row 1 (RS): Hdc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn. — 63 (70, 77) hdc
(Validation: 63 ÷ 3.5 = 18"; 70 ÷ 3.5 = 20"; 77 ÷ 3.5 = 22" ✓ — this width = finished sleeve circumference)

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

Rep Row 2 until sleeve measures 14 (14, 15)" / 35.5 (35.5, 38) cm — 35 (35, 38) rows.
(Validation: 35 ÷ 2.5 = 14"; 38 ÷ 2.5 = 15.2" ✓)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for the underarm seam.

OPTIONAL PATCH POCKETS (make 2) — Chanel signature detail

With MC, ch 22.

Row 1: Hdc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across, turn. — 21 hdc (6" / 15 cm)
Row 2: Ch 1, hdc in each st across, turn.
Rep Row 2 until pocket measures 6" / 15 cm — 15 rows. Fasten off, leave tail for sewing.

Pocket edging (optional but recommended): Join CC at top-right corner, ch 1, sc evenly across top edge only (21 sc). Fasten off.
(Alternatively work 1 rnd sc around all four sides for a framed look, working 3 sc in each corner.)

Finishing & Assembly

Block all pieces gently to finished measurements before seaming. This step is important for drape and a polished Chanel hand.

1. Shoulder Seams

With RS together (or WS together if you prefer mattress stitch from RS), seam each Front to Back at shoulders:

• Join outer 24 (29, 35) sts of Left Front top edge to left Back shoulder markers.
• Join outer 24 (29, 35) sts of Right Front top edge to right Back shoulder markers.
  Use mattress stitch or whipstitch. Center back neck (29 (33, 35) sts) and inner front neck edges remain open.
  (Shoulder width each side: 24 ÷ 3.5 ≈ 6.9"; 29 ÷ 3.5 ≈ 8.3"; 35 ÷ 3.5 = 10" ✓)

2. Attach Sleeves

Lay garment flat, RS up, shoulders horizontal.
On each side edge of the body, measure 9 (10, 11)" / 23 (25.5, 28) cm down from the shoulder seam on both Front and Back; PM at these four points.
(Armhole opening total = 9 + 9 = 18"; 10 + 10 = 20"; 11 + 11 = 22" — matches sleeve circumference exactly ✓)

Center one Sleeve top edge (either the foundation or final row — both are identical widths) on the shoulder seam and pin/seam between the Front and Back markers. Sleeve sits at a right angle to the body (T-shape). Rep for second sleeve.
Use mattress stitch or sturdy whipstitch.

3. Side & Underarm Seams

Starting at the hem, seam Front to Back side edges up to the underarm marker (side seam = 14" / 35.5 cm all sizes).
Continue in one smooth line along the Sleeve underarm (seam the two side edges of the sleeve rectangle together) from underarm to cuff.
Rep on opposite side.
(Construction check: no armhole decreases were used; sleeve remains the same width cuff to shoulder — true kimono ✓)

4. Weave in remaining MC ends.

5. Contrast Border (Chanel Trim)

The border travels continuously around the entire front opening and neck, and is also worked at hems and cuffs for a couture finish.

Front & Neck Border
With RS facing and US I/9 (or H/8 for firmer edge), join CC at Right Front lower hem corner (bottom of center-front edge).

Rnd/Row setup (worked as one long flat edge):
Ch 1, sc evenly up Right Front center edge (approx. 3 sc per 2 row-ends, or about 2.5 sc per inch),
3 sc in the inner front corner at the start of the neckline if desired for turn,
sc across Right Front neck edge, across Back neck, across Left Front neck edge,
then sc evenly down Left Front center edge to Left hem corner.
Do not join — this is a U-shaped opening. Turn.

Border Row 2: Ch 1, sc in each sc up Left Front, across neck, and down Right Front. Turn.
Border Row 3: Ch 1, sc in each sc across. Turn.
Border Row 4 (optional final polish): Ch 1, rev sc (crab stitch) in each st across for a firm, braided Chanel-like edge. Fasten off.

(If rev sc feels advanced, simply work a 4th row of regular sc instead.)

Hem Border
Join CC at side seam on lower hem. Ch 1, sc evenly around entire lower edge (Back + both Fronts), working 3 sc in each front corner so the border turns cleanly onto the front bands. Join with sl st.
Work 2 more rnds of sc. Optional: final rnd of rev sc. Fasten off.

Cuff Borders
Join CC at underarm seam of one cuff. Ch 1, sc evenly around cuff (63 (70, 77) sc, or adjust to lie flat). Join.
Work 2 more rnds sc. Optional rev sc final rnd. Fasten off.
Rep for second cuff.

6. Pockets (if using)

Try on or lay garment flat. Position pockets on each Front approx. 4–5" / 10–12.5 cm up from hem and 1.5–2" / 4–5 cm in from the front border edge (adjust for preference and size).
Pin and sew securely with MC yarn tail or matching thread on three sides, leaving top open. Weave ends.

7. Optional Decorative Buttons

Sew 2–3 buttons along the Right Front border (women’s traditional side) at desired spacing — typically upper chest and mid-front.
These may be purely decorative (Chanel style) or paired with simple chain-loop button loops on the Left Front: join CC at border edge, ch 6–8, sl st back to form loop. Fasten off and weave in.

8. Final Block

Lightly steam- or wet-block the finished kimono, shaping the rectangular lines and opening the stitch definition. Allow to dry completely.
Do not overstretch the border.

Wear & Style Notes

• Wear open for relaxed kimono drape, or close with a slim sash/belt in CC or a coordinating chain belt for a jacket look.
• Bracelet-length sleeves are intentional (Chanel heritage); they sit cleanly when arms are bent.
• Pair with a simple shell or turtleneck underneath.
• The tweed + high-contrast trim is the signature — if using a smooth MC, the CC border still delivers the Chanel reference.

Schematic (key dimensions)

        |← 22 (26, 30)" back →|
        ┌─────────────────────┐
        |      BACK NECK      |  ← 8¼ (9½, 10)" open
       /                       \
      /  shoulder 6.9 (8.3, 10)" \
     |                             |
     |         BODY                |  length 23 (24, 25)"
     |     (no waist shaping)      |
     |                             |
     └───────────┬─────────────────┘
                 | side seam 14"
    sleeve       |       sleeve
  14 (14, 15)"   |     14 (14, 15)"
  circ 18 (20, 22)"   circ 18 (20, 22)"

Fronts each 11¼ (13¼, 15¼)" wide; open center front with CC border.

Stitch Count Quick Reference

Enjoy your Chanel-inspired tweed kimono.
Beginner construction, couture attitude — no armhole math, no sleeve increases, just clean rectangles and a beautiful contrasting edge.