Welcome to this easy and delightful project! We'll be creating a cozy knit kimono for a newborn, perfect for a quick and meaningful gift. This pattern is knit in garter stitch, beginning from the back, moving up, and then separately knitting the front panels, adding a sweet touch with a little buttonhole.
Knit Newborn Kimono Pattern
Materials Needed:
- Yarn suitable for newborn clothes
- Knitting needles (size recommended for your yarn)
- Stitch markers
- Button
- Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
Pattern Instructions:
Back Panel:
- Cast On: Begin by casting on 44 stitches using any method you prefer.
- Row 1: Slip the first stitch knitwise with the yarn at the back (this will be your edge stitch). Knit all stitches across.
- Repeat Row 1, creating a garter stitch pattern until your work measures 5.5 inches from the cast-on edge. Do not cut the yarn; we will continue from here to create the sleeves.
Sleeves:
Casting on for Sleeves: Place a stitch marker at both ends of your current piece to differentiate the body from the sleeves. Cast on 34 stitches at either end for the sleeves.
Next, knit across the newly cast-on stitches for the sleeves, slipping the marker, and continuing across the back stitches. Repeat the pattern for both sides.
Continue knitting in garter stitch across all stitches (back and sleeves) until the sleeves measure about 2.5 inches from where you started the sleeve cast-on.
Front Panels:
Right Panel:
- Slip the first stitch, knit across the sleeve stitches until you mark, slip the marker, then knit 15 stitches into the body section. Turn your work.
- Work five rows in garter stitch over these stitches (the 34 sleeve stitches and the 15 body stitches).
For shaping the neckline and the inclined panel, place a stitch marker before the last three stitches. Each right side row will increase one stitch before this marker until the panel measures about 5 inches, paralleling the back panel.
- To increase, knit to the marker, make one stitch, knit the marked stitches.
Bind Off Sleeve Stitches: When the sleeve measures around 5 inches, begin binding off stitches for the sleeve on the panel until you reach the body stitches. Continue the established increase pattern until the front matches the back in length.
Buttonhole Row: With about an inch left to knit, create a buttonhole by knitting to the last seven stitches, bind off two, and on the return row, cast on two stitches over the bound-off stitches.
Finishing the Right Panel: Continue knitting until the front and back panels align in length, then bind off all stitches.
Left Panel:
Repeat the steps for the front right panel but mirrored, without adding a buttonhole. Join new yarn to the remaining live stitches.
Seaming and Finishing:
- Fold the kimono with the right sides facing each other, aligning the front and back panels. Seam the sides and underarms.
- Weave in all ends securely.
- Sew a button opposite the buttonhole.
This charming knit newborn kimono is a splendid project for anyone looking to craft a heartfelt gift. The garter stitch texture is soothing and practical, making it a cherished item for any new parent. Happy knitting!
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