Drop Stitch Cotton Easy Kimono Knitting Pattern
Today’s free Knitting pattern is for a summer cardigan kimono. It’s super easy to make and is so light and airy! You will see how easy it is to knit as it’s definitely beginner friendly.
After crocheting the Barcelona Summer Kimono, I received many requests for a similar kimono to be made as a knit version. This knit Drop Stitch Cotton Kimono turned out to be light, drapey and comfortable to wear so I’m really happy to share it with you today. It uses easy knitting stitches including drop stitches and the basic knit stitch. I’d say it’s easy enough for a beginner who feels good about the knit stitch and is ready to move on from making a scarf! If you’ve never knit drop stitches, this is a fun piece to try it out since there’s no complicated shaping. The cotton yarn holds up really well and keeps it’s shape which is also a bonus! And you know me, I’m always comfortable with a nice neutral but can you imagine this kimono in a bright color for summer as well? I’d love to see if you one of you get brave with color on this one. 😉 As usual, you can find the free pattern below as well as the printable pattern available for purchase in my Etsy shop here as well as the full kit available in several color options (currently 25%) from Lion Brand here. 🙂 Yay!
The thing I love most about this piece is that it adds style to almost any outfit and can be worn with jeans or shorts. It’s also a nice option to use as a cover-up or to throw on when you’re in air conditioning. (I couldn’t believe how cold the air conditioning was when we went to Florida last year! Who knew you’d need to pack a sweater to go INDOORS!)
Below: We are so excited to be able to enjoy the outdoors again now that it’s warmed up. I wish the summers weren’t so short. 🙂
You will knit this as two rectangular pieces and then seam together up the sides and the back. EASY EASY! The construction method is essentially the same as what I used for the Telluride Knit Kimono Pattern this last winter and I know a lot of you thought it was really simple. Because of the easy assembly and beginner knit stitches, it’s definitely safe to say that this is a beginner friendly pattern. 🙂
Below: This “Silver” 24/7 Cotton (here) is so pretty isn’t it? It has just a touch of sheen that brightens up the yarn just enough.
Below: The sections of simple knit drop stitches really give it that airy look and feel
Such a fun easy top to make! 
Shall we get started?
Remember you can see the full pattern below or may choose to purchase the printable version from my Etsy Shop HERE.
Drop Stitch Cotton Kimono Easy Knitting Pattern
A beautiful and light cotton kimono that can be worn in any climate including during the warm summer months. This beginner friendly pattern works up effortlessly as it’s created with simple knit stitches and drop stitches. Wear it for a day out with friends or take it on your next beach vacation to cover up in style!
Skill Level:
Easy +
Materials:
US Size 10 (6.0 mm) Knitting Needles
(4,6) skeins Lion Brand Yarn 24/7 Cotton in Silver (100 g per skein) Pattern uses approximately 380 g (S/M) and 513 g (L/XL) (Yarn & Kit Available HERE)
Scissors
Tapestry needle to seam and weave in ends
Gauge:
Approximate: 14 stitches and 21 rows in 4” X 4” of garter stitch
Dimensions:
Follow the key for your particular size throughout the pattern. Sizing will be marked as follows:
(S/M, L/XL)
S/M
Bust Circumference (Approximate) 64”
Cross Back Width (Approximate) 32”
Length (Approximate) 21”
Each individual panel measures approximately: 16” by 42” (after blocked)
L/XL
Bust Circumference (Approximate) 72”
Cross Back Width (Approximate) 36”
Length (Approximate): 25”
Each panel measures approximately: 18” X 50” (after blocked)
Abbreviations & Skills:
k – knit
yo – yarn over
Notes:
This kimono is knit mostly in the garter stitch and also includes drop stitch sections. If you’ve never worked drop stitches, they are quite easy to do! They are created by making yarn overs and then dropping them off the needle in the following row. There are many great video tutorials about the drop stitch that you can find by doing a simple online search. Two rectangular panels are knit and then seamed at the center and sides to form the kimono. (See assembly section for details) You may make the piece longer by knitting more rows to make each panel longer than indicated in the pattern (keep yarn needs in mind). Blocking each panel can also increase the length once finished.
UPDATE: Seaming the drop stitch can be a big challenge! To avoid seaming, simply modify this pattern to work the two panels together in the back. Then split the stitches evenly to work the two sides of the front.
Pattern
Cast on (55, 62) stitches (or double this to work the back panels together, then split the stitches to work the front as two separate sides. This way you avoid difficult seaming)
Row 1 – 7 Knit each stitch across the row (55,62)
Row 8 K1, *yo, k1. Repeat from * across the row (55, 62)
Row 9 K1, *drop yo off needle, knit next stitch. Repeat from * across the row. (55, 62)
Rows 10-13 Repeat rows 8 and 9, in that order, 2 more times. You will have 3 total sections of drop stitches.
Repeat row 1 – 13 until piece is approximately (40”, 48”) (NOTE : to line up the rows and drop stitches when seamed, you will want to end with the garter stitch rows of 1 – 7)
Cast off and weave in ends.
Repeat above pattern to make a matching second panel.
Next, block to size. After blocking, final measurements should be approximately:
S/M 16” X 42”
L/XL 18” X 50”
Assembly:
Place panels side by side on a flat surface while lining up the drop stitches and the garter stitch sections. With a length of yarn and a tapestry needle, seam up the center, stopping approximately 4” from the middle center.
Next, fold each panel down and seam up each side leaving openings for the arms (approximately 12” long opening).
That’s it you guys!
I hope you enjoyed this pattern and please let me know if you have any questions!
XO
Jessica
Thank you to Lion Brand Yarn for sponsoring this project and post! All opinions are 100% my own.
If you liked this, you might also like:
Easy Relaxed Marled Knit Cardigan Pattern
Finally another knit kimono pattern I can’t wait to start. I might use some multi-color ribbon yarn, but will probably opt for your silver suggestion. I’m so sorry about your pug. I had a grey and black pug Bogie whose back legs went out on him at 9 years. I got him one of those orthopedic carts with wheels and he lived ’til 16 years old. He’ll always be in my heart. . . . . they say that pugs are big dogs in a little body. All the best to you and your family.
This pattern is beautiful. Do you have this pattern in crochet or something similar?
Jessica, you always read my mind!! I honestly just knit up a sample with the drop stitch in cotton yarn wondering what garment to make with it! And now I know As always I just adore you and your simple, yet beautiful patterns!
You always have the best ideas whether its knitting or crochet. I i am a knitter, but you have made me decide to learn crochet.
I was uncertain as to what I would knit with my newly purchased skeins of Caron Cotton Cakes. Taa daa…I started the Drop Stitch Kimono this evening. Thank you Jessica.
Would you know how many extra stitches to cast on for a 2-3x size. I love your patterns but I take a 2x-3x size.
Thank you,
Carol
Good afternoon Jessica from Lisbon, Portugal
Thank you for sharing, and teaching your knitting and crochet work so simple, and I love it.
I just finished a tunic using the drop stitch. It’s the first time I knitted the drop stitch. In effect it is easier than it seems. I used crude silk flat tape instead of cotton. This kimono pattern is really lovely and would be e great summer garment to wear both in the city and on vacation ad you suggest ad a cover-up at the beach. Thanks for this interesting pattern.
Jess, this is gorgeous! You truly amaze me! That Grey is so pretty too!
Thank you for another beautiful pattern! You have really helped me on my beginner knitting journey.
Could you knit the back in one piece and add a ball of yarn for the 2 front pieces.
Definitely!
Gorgeous pattern! Is the sample you made the S/M or M/L?
This is the S/M and I’m 5’6″ and 100 lbs – modeling the piece. 🙂
Love this pattern, Jessica! Thank you for sharing 🙂
Hi Rachel! Thank you so much for stopping by! So glad you like it. 🙂
Hi, I really want to make this pattern and have 720 metres of cotton yarn. I am 155 pounds and unsure what size to make. It looks a really loose fit, do you think the s/m would be ok???
Don’t want it tight!
Jessica, I love this pattern but cannot knit, could you possibly whip one up in crochet. I know that’s asking a bit much, but feel that you are genius enough to handle it, whereas I’ve crocheted since 18 years of age and am now 70 but still cannot convert a knit pattern to crochet and have tried knitting but to no avail, I know lame excuse. I look forward to whatever response.
I’m not sure if its an error in the pattern or I’m reading it incorrectly, but after row 8 of K1, yo, increase, I have 123 stitches on my needle not 62? Did I miss the decrease somewhere that will put me back to 62 sts? I see I’m supposed to drop the yo on the next row, which would put me back to the original 62 stitches, but not seeing how I’m supposed to have that number after an increase every other stitch.
I also think you have an amazing talent for design!! I’m knitting the heirloom blanket, and am thrilled with the result!
Ahh, thanks so much Cate. I’m thrilled that you’re liking that blanket!
I am finishing knitting both panels, but just curious as to how to seam them together. Specifically on the section with the dropped stitches. Did you use a specific seam method?
In the process of working on this pattern, I discovered how much I dislike repetitive drop stitches. Thanks to enough experience to land me in the early phases of “intermediate” knitter, I experimented and learned that if I used a larger needle—I had an aged plastic Susan Bates 17 on hand (12.75mm) from another project—and made the drop stitch rows using condo knitting, the look came out basically the same, but I could skip the wrapping and dropping. I stabilized the lacy rows by doing one full row of garter on both smaller needles (size 10) between each of the three condo rows.
I also opted to join the two panels where the neck opening would begin instead of making two separate panels and stitching them together later. Since I was working both panels on one needle to keep the tension the same, this meant that I could drop dealing with two skeins of yarn and just work back and forth to finish the length of the piece. Of course, my tension has become less tight with age and I discovered I need a little more than the 4 skeins in the Lion Brand kit to finish up—waiting on the last one to arrive and hoping the dye-lot will not be significantly different.
Love the soft and drapey 24/7 cotton and have also ordered two other colors since the first one was made for my adult daughter. I’ll definitely make one of these for myself as well—just can’t decide between white or silver. My daughters is denim and it’s going to be beautiful!
Hi, i’m making this just now and I’m confused about row 8, at the end of row 8 it states I should have 62 stitches, but with all the yo’s that we don’t drop until row 9 I have 123 stitches, am I missing a step that would put me back to 62 stitches on row 8?
Finally getting to make this kimono using some organic cotton. Thank you for all your patterns.
Wondering if there is crochet version yet my friend could make.
Also what stitch did you use to seam back and sides
Hey Jessica, Im just not a fan of drop stitch, can i get the same effect on larger needles w fewer stitches? or more yarn and just do garter..or even stockinette? Im little so this size sweater appeals to me..thnx for all you share!! debbie
I’m knitting this lovely pattern. What type of stitching to you recommend when you are putting the two panels together. Since the pattern is knitting and drop stitching. Thanks You
Hello Jessica!
I am working on this Kimono as my quarantine project. I have had a bag of worsted “Therapi” in a bright orange. I followed your directions and checked out a couple drop stitch videos and it’s been fun! I’m hoping after blocking the panels they will get bigger. I didn’t pay much attention to how many stitches I was to have after dropping but still always manage to get back to 55. Thank you so much for another great pattern! Stay Safe,
So glad to hear you’re hanging in there Janie!
Hi,
I:m wondering what kind of cast off you used.
I couln:t get my hand on Lionbrand cotton yarn so I used another cotton yarn. The yarn itself is not stretchy at all and I have an issue that the cast-off is really stiff and impossible to stretch. I’m worried it might cause problems in the assembly.
Do you have any suggestions?
Hi Dee!
I think the pattern is pretty forgiving and a knit cast off should be fine in most cases. Hope it will work for you!
I can origami a kimono & plan to knit a large blanket & wear it by October because it’ll look like a wizards cloak. I could knit an Infinity wrap & fold that into a smaller kimono for everyday wearing.