purlJam

<pattern>

# SLOUCHY BALLOON SLEEVE KIMONO CARDIGAN

A relaxed, oversized kimono-style cardigan featuring a textured bubble stitch pattern worked in cheerful four-colour stripes. The distinctive balloon sleeves are created with wide rectangular construction gathered at the cuff, while the open front and T-shaped silhouette provide a modern, flowing fit. Perfect for layering and casual elegance.

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## MATERIALS

**Yarn**: DK weight yarn (light worsted)
- Colour A (C-A): 450 (525, 600) metres
- Colour B (C-B): 400 (475, 525) metres  
- Colour C (C-C): 400 (475, 525) metres
- Colour D (C-D): 400 (475, 525) metres
- **Total**: approximately 1650 (1950, 2175) metres

*Sample shown in stylecraft Special DK: C-A Cloud Blue (1019), C-B Candyfloss (1241), C-C Lemon (1020), C-D Soft Peach (1026)*

**Needles**: 
- 4mm (UK 8, US 6) straight needles for main fabric
- 3.5mm (UK 9/10, US 4) straight needles for cuffs and edging
- Spare needle or stitch holder

**Notions**:
- Tapestry needle for seaming
- 4 stitch markers
- Elastic thread (optional, for cuff gathering)
- Approximately 2 metres of matching 1.5-2cm ribbon for tie closures (optional)

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## TENSION

**20 stitches × 24 rows = 10cm (4")**  
measured over Bubble Stitch Pattern using 4mm needles, after blocking

**22 stitches × 28 rows = 10cm (4")**  
measured over stocking stitch using 4mm needles (for reference)

**CRITICAL**: The bubble stitch creates a denser fabric than stocking stitch. Please take time to swatch in pattern and measure accurately. Tension variations will significantly affect finished dimensions and yarn requirements.

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## SIZES

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

**To Fit Bust**: 81-97 (102-117, 122-137)cm / 32-38 (40-46, 48-54)"

**Finished Measurements** (laid flat):
- **Bust circumference**: 110 (125, 140)cm / 43.25 (49.25, 55)" *[measured across back at underarm and doubled]*
- **Body length**: 60 (60, 62)cm / 23.5 (23.5, 24.5)" *[from shoulder to hem]*
- **Sleeve length**: 45 (47, 47)cm / 17.75 (18.5, 18.5)" *[from shoulder seam to cuff, before gathering]*
- **Sleeve width**: 45 (47, 49)cm / 17.75 (18.5, 19.25)" *[entire width of sleeve rectangle]*

**Recommended Ease**: 13-29cm (5-11.5") positive ease. This kimono style is designed to be worn oversized and relaxed.

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## ABBREVIATIONS

- **k** = knit
- **p** = purl
- **RS** = right side
- **WS** = wrong side
- **st(s)** = stitch(es)
- **cm** = centimetre(s)
- **C-A, C-B, C-C, C-D** = Colour A, B, C, D
- **MB** = Make Bobble: [k1, p1, k1, p1, k1] all into next st (5 sts made from 1), turn, p5, turn, k5, turn, p2tog, p1, p2tog, turn, sl1, k2tog, psso (back to 1 st)
- **pm** = place marker
- **sm** = slip marker
- **cont** = continue
- **patt** = pattern
- **rep** = repeat
- **beg** = beginning
- **foll** = following
- **approx** = approximately

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## NOTES

**Construction**: This cardigan is worked bottom-up in separate flat pieces using the classic T-shaped kimono method. The back is a simple rectangle. Each front is a half-width rectangle with minimal neck shaping. Sleeves are wide rectangles attached perpendicular to the body at the shoulder line, creating the characteristic dropped-shoulder kimono silhouette. Cuffs are gathered to create the balloon sleeve effect.

**Bubble Stitch Pattern**: Worked over a multiple of 6 sts + 5. The pattern creates raised bobbles in a staggered arrangement. The texture is quite dense, which affects both tension and drape.

**Stripe Sequence**: The four colours are rotated in a consistent sequence throughout:
- **Rows 1-6**: C-A
- **Rows 7-12**: C-B  
- **Rows 13-18**: C-C
- **Rows 19-24**: C-D
- **Repeat** these 24 rows throughout

When changing colours, carry yarn loosely up the side edge, or break yarn and rejoin as preferred. On the fronts, weave in ends carefully on WS as these edges will be visible when worn open.

**Kimono Structure Reminders**:
- NO armhole shaping – sleeves attach at right angles
- NO shoulder shaping – straight horizontal seam
- NO waist shaping – maintains rectangular silhouette
- Wide, loose fit is intentional for this style

**Colour Management**: With four colours in rotation, consider using yarn bobbins or centre-pull balls placed in a small project bag to prevent tangling. When you reach a colour you haven't used for 18 rows, you may prefer to break yarn and rejoin rather than carrying up the side.

**Schematic Note**: Measurements are taken laid flat. Double the width measurements for full circumference.

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## BUBBLE STITCH PATTERN

**Multiple of 6 sts + 5**

**Row 1 (RS)**: K4, *MB, k5; rep from * to last st, k1.

**Row 2 (WS)**: Purl.

**Row 3**: Knit.

**Row 4**: Purl.

**Row 5**: K1, *MB, k5; rep from * to last 4 sts, MB, k3.

**Row 6**: Purl.

**Repeat Rows 1-6 for pattern.**

*Each 6-row repeat creates one staggered row of bobbles. The bobbles alternate position every 3 rows (Rows 1 and 5) to create a honeycomb effect.*

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## BACK BODY

Using 3.5mm needles and C-A, cast on 113 (125, 137) sts.

**Border**:
**Rows 1-6**: Knit (garter stitch border).

Change to 4mm needles.

Begin Bubble Stitch Pattern and Stripe Sequence:

**Setup Row (WS)**: Purl. *[Still C-A, this is prep row]*

**Pattern Section**:
Beginning with Row 1 of Bubble Stitch Pattern and Row 1 of Stripe Sequence (C-A), work in pattern, changing colours every 6 rows as indicated in Stripe Sequence.

**Continue** until piece measures 60 (60, 62)cm / 23.5 (23.5, 24.5)" from cast-on edge, ending with a WS row.

*[Stitch count check: 113 sts = 6×18 + 5 ✓, 125 sts = 6×20 + 5 ✓, 137 sts = 6×22 + 5 ✓]*
*[At 20 sts per 10cm: 113 sts = 56.5cm width ✓, 125 sts = 62.5cm width ✓, 137 sts = 68.5cm width ✓]*
*[At 24 rows per 10cm: 144 rows = 60cm ✓, 149 rows = 62cm ✓]*

Cast off all sts **loosely** in pattern (knit the knit sts, purl the purl sts).

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## LEFT FRONT

Using 3.5mm needles and C-A, cast on 59 (65, 71) sts.

**Border**:
**Rows 1-6**: Knit (garter stitch border).

Change to 4mm needles.

**Setup Row (WS)**: Purl.

**Pattern Section**:
Beginning with Row 1 of Bubble Stitch Pattern and Row 1 of Stripe Sequence (C-A), work in pattern, changing colours every 6 rows as indicated.

**Continue** until piece measures 52 (52, 54)cm / 20.5 (20.5, 21.25)" from cast-on edge, ending with a WS row.

*[Stitch count check: 59 sts = 6×9 + 5 ✓, 65 sts = 6×10 + 5 ✓, 71 sts = 6×11 + 5 ✓]*
*[Width check: 59 sts = 29.5cm ✓, 65 sts = 32.5cm ✓, 71 sts = 35.5cm ✓]*

**Neck Shaping** (minimal shaping to maintain kimono aesthetic):

**Next Row (RS)**: Cast off 8 (8, 10) sts at beginning of row (neck edge), work in pattern to end. **51 (57, 61) sts remain**

**Next Row (WS)**: Work in pattern.

**Next Row (RS)**: K1, k2tog, work in pattern to end. **50 (56, 60) sts**

**Next Row (WS)**: Work in pattern.

**Repeat last 2 rows once more. 49 (55, 59) sts remain**

**Continue** straight in pattern until front measures 60 (60, 62)cm / 23.5 (23.5, 24.5)" from cast-on edge, matching Back length, ending with a WS row.

Cast off all sts **loosely** in pattern.

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## RIGHT FRONT

Using 3.5mm needles and C-A, cast on 59 (65, 71) sts.

**Border**:
**Rows 1-6**: Knit (garter stitch border).

Change to 4mm needles.

**Setup Row (WS)**: Purl.

**Pattern Section**:
Beginning with Row 1 of Bubble Stitch Pattern and Row 1 of Stripe Sequence (C-A), work in pattern, changing colours every 6 rows as indicated.

**Continue** until piece measures 52 (52, 54)cm / 20.5 (20.5, 21.25)" from cast-on edge, ending with a RS row (note: ending with RS row, opposite of Left Front).

**Neck Shaping**:

**Next Row (WS)**: Cast off 8 (8, 10) sts at beginning of row (neck edge), work in pattern to end. **51 (57, 61) sts remain**

**Next Row (RS)**: Work in pattern.

**Next Row (WS)**: P1, p2tog, work in pattern to end. **50 (56, 60) sts**

**Next Row (RS)**: Work in pattern.

**Repeat last 2 rows once more. 49 (55, 59) sts remain**

**Continue** straight in pattern until front measures 60 (60, 62)cm / 23.5 (23.5, 24.5)" from cast-on edge, matching Back length, ending with a WS row.

Cast off all sts **loosely** in pattern.

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## SLEEVES (make 2)

Using 3.5mm needles and C-A, cast on 47 (53