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# Peach Blossom Lace Cardigan
### An easy T-shaped kimono-style cardigan with a delicate blossom lace

A relaxed, open-front cardigan worked flat in five simple rectangles — no armhole or sleeve shaping. The airy "Peach Blossom" shell-mesh stitch gives gentle lace texture while remaining beginner-friendly. Wear it open or add a tie at the waist.

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## SKILL LEVEL
**Easy** — straight rectangles, one repeating 2-row lace pattern, simple seaming.

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## SIZES
S/M (L/XL) [2XL/3XL]

Designed with an oversized, boxy fit (8–12" positive ease).

### Finished Measurements
| Measurement | S/M | L/XL | 2XL/3XL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bust circumference | 44" | 52" | 60" |
| Body length (hem to shoulder) | 26" | 26" | 26" |
| Sleeve length | 18" | 18" | 18" |
| Sleeve width (flat) | 16" | 16" | 16" |

*To lengthen body or sleeves, add rows in multiples of 2 (each 2-row repeat ≈ 1" tall).*

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## MATERIALS
- **Yarn:** Worsted weight (Medium / #4), drapey cotton or cotton-blend recommended for best lace drape.
  - Approx. **1100 (1350) [1600] yards**
  - Sample color: soft peach
- **Hook:** US H/8 (5 mm), or size needed to match gauge
- **Notions:** Tapestry needle, stitch markers, scissors
- Optional: 2 yards of yarn or ribbon for a waist tie

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## GAUGE
In Peach Blossom Lace pattern, after blocking:
**14 sts × 8 rows = 4" (10 cm)**
→ 3.5 sts per inch; 2 rows per inch.

*Make a swatch of at least 4" × 4". Gauge in lace is forgiving due to the oversized fit, but matching it keeps measurements accurate.*

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

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## STITCH PATTERN: PEACH BLOSSOM LACE
Worked over a multiple of **4 sts + 1**.

**Foundation:** Chain your starting number.

**Row 1 (RS):** Sc in 2nd ch from hook, *ch 2, sk 2 ch, (dc, ch 1, dc) in next ch — this is the "blossom"; ch 2, sk 2 ch* ... wait — to keep it truly easy, use this simplified repeat below.

**Simplified working pattern (use this throughout):**

**Set-up Row (RS):** Sc in 2nd ch from hook, *ch 2, sk 2, sc in next ch; rep from * across. Turn. (This creates a row of ch-2 mesh.)

**Row 1 (RS):** Ch 3 (counts as dc), sc in first ch-2 sp, *ch 2, (dc, ch 1, dc) "blossom" in next sc, ch 2, sc in next ch-2 sp; rep from * to last sp, ending dc in last sc. Turn.

**Row 2 (WS):** Ch 1, sc in first dc, *ch 2, sk blossom, sc in next sc; rep from * across, working last sc in top of turning ch. Turn.

**Repeat Rows 1–2** for pattern.

*Tip: Each "blossom" sits over a sc; the ch-2 spaces form the open mesh. Count your sc anchors each WS row to stay on track.*

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## PATTERN NOTES
- All pieces are worked flat, turning at the end of each row.
- There is **NO armhole, shoulder, or sleeve shaping** — this is a true T-shaped kimono. Sleeves are straight rectangles attached at right angles.
- The front is worn **open**; an optional waist tie is included.
- Turning chains: ch-3 counts as a dc; ch-1 does not count as a stitch.

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## BODY PIECES

### BACK
Make 1.

Starting chain = **77 ch** (multiple of 4 + 1 → (77−1)/4 = 19 repeats). ✓
*Width check: 77 sts ÷ 3.5 sts/in = 22".* ✓

1. Work **Set-up Row** across the 77 ch. → 76 sc + ch-2 mesh established.
2. Work **Rows 1–2** of Peach Blossom Lace until piece measures **26"** from beginning, ending after a WS (Row 2).
   *Row check: 26" × 2 rows/in = 52 rows total (1 set-up + 51 pattern rows, ending on a WS row).* ✓
3. Fasten off.

**Finished Back: 22" wide × 26" tall.**

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### LEFT FRONT
Make 1.

Starting chain = **37 ch** ((37−1)/4 = 9 repeats). ✓
*Width check: 37 ÷ 3.5 = 10.5" ≈ 11" blocked.* ✓

1. Work **Set-up Row** across the 37 ch.
2. Work **Rows 1–2** until piece measures **26"**, ending after a WS row (same row count as Back: 52 rows). ✓
3. Fasten off.

**Finished Left Front: ~11" wide × 26" tall.**

### RIGHT FRONT
Make 1, identical to Left Front.

*Front width check: two fronts (11" + 11" = 22") equal the back width (22"). The natural open gap at center front is created by wearing it open — no closure needed.* ✓

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## SLEEVES (STRAIGHT RECTANGLES — NO TAPER)

### SLEEVE
Make 2.

Starting chain = **57 ch** ((57−1)/4 = 14 repeats). ✓
*Width check: 57 ÷ 3.5 = 16".* ✓

1. Work **Set-up Row** across the 57 ch.
2. Work **Rows 1–2** until piece measures **18"**, ending after a WS row.
   *Row check: 18" × 2 = 36 rows total.* ✓
3. Fasten off.

**Finished Sleeve: 16" wide × 18" long, the SAME width top to bottom (no tapering).** ✓

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## ASSEMBLY
Block all pieces flat to measurements before seaming (lace opens up significantly when blocked).

1. **Shoulder seams:** Lay Back and Fronts with RS together. Seam each shoulder with a straight horizontal seam (mattress stitch or slip stitch), joining each Front's top edge to the Back's top edge.
   - Seam **5"** in from each armhole edge on each shoulder, leaving the **center 12"** of the Back open for the neckline. *(5" + 12" neck + 5" = 22" back width.)* ✓
2. **Attach sleeves:** Find the shoulder seam. Center the top edge of each Sleeve over the shoulder seam and pin the Sleeve to the body edge at a **right angle** (dropped-shoulder). The 16" sleeve top should span 8" on the Front side and 8" on the Back side of the seam. Seam in place.
3. **Side seams:** Seam each side from the hem up to the underarm.
4. **Sleeve seams:** Seam the underside of each sleeve from cuff to underarm, continuing smoothly from the side seam.
5. **Weave in all ends.**

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## BORDER / EDGING
Worked around the entire front opening and neckline for a clean, soft finish.

**Round 1 (sc foundation):** With RS facing, join yarn at the bottom Right Front corner. Sc evenly up the Right Front, around the back neck, and down the Left Front, working approximately 3 sc per inch and 1 sc in each row-end. At the two front bottom corners, work 3 sc to turn the corner. Do not work across the bottom hem.

**Round 2 (shell edging):** Ch 1, *sk 1 sc, 5 dc in next sc (shell), sk 1 sc, sc in next sc; rep from * along the entire edge, adjusting at corners as needed to lie flat. Fasten off.

**Cuff & hem (optional, both sleeves and bottom):** With RS facing, join yarn and work 1 round of sc evenly around the opening, then 1 round of the shell edging above. Fasten off.

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## OPTIONAL WAIST TIE
Crochet two chains approx. **30"** long (or cut ribbon). Attach one at each Front edge at natural waist height (about 16" up from the hem). Tie to close.

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## BLOCKING
Wet-block or steam-block the finished cardigan. Pin to final measurements, paying special attention to opening up the lace blossoms and mesh. Allow to dry fully. Blocking is essential for this lace stitch — it transforms the fabric's drape and reveals the blossom motif.

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## FINISHED MEASUREMENTS RECAP
- **Bust (Back 22" + Left Front 11" + Right Front 11", doubled around body):** 44 (52) [60]" ✓
- **Body length:** 26"
- **Sleeve length:** 18"
- **Sleeve width:** 16" (straight)

Enjoy your soft, breezy **Peach Blossom Lace Cardigan** — a true beginner-friendly kimono shape with just a touch of floral lace. 🌸