The California Love Kimono

The California Love Kimono by 2Bossayknits.com

What Is Being Made

The California Love Kimono is a crocheted cardigan-style garment designed by Michelle R. Tharpes. This intermediate-level project creates a wearable kimono-inspired piece suitable for those with some crochet experience. The finished design showcases a relaxed, flowing silhouette characteristic of kimono styling adapted for modern crochet construction.

Craft and Primary Technique

This pattern is worked entirely in crochet, making it an excellent project for intermediate crocheters looking to expand their skills. The kimono construction relies on fundamental crochet techniques combined with shaping methods to achieve the distinctive drape and fit of the finished garment.

Stitches Used

The California Love Kimono utilizes a variety of essential crochet stitches to build structure and texture:

• Chain (CH) – foundational stitch used for creating the base of the pattern
• Single Crochet (SC) – provides tight, dense fabric
• Half Double Crochet (HDC) – creates a medium-weight fabric with good drape
• Double Crochet (DC) – adds height and helps create the flowing silhouette
• Double Crochet 2 Together (DC2T) – used for decreasing and shaping
• Half Double Crochet 2 Together (HDCT) – provides alternative decreasing options
• Slip Stitch (SS) – joins rounds and creates seamless transitions

The pattern also includes round construction (RD), allowing for circular shaping elements within the kimono design.

Materials and Tools Required

The California Love Kimono is designed to be worked with the following materials and supplies:

• Yarn: 4.5 hanks of Araucania hand painted cotton yarn in the colorway Coricancha, totaling 900 yards. This yarn weight falls within the DK to Worsted weight range, providing excellent drape and breathability suitable for a kimono-style garment
• Hook: Size I hook (4.5mm) – appropriately sized for the specified yarn weight
• Additional Tools: Yarn needle for weaving in ends, scissors, measuring tape, row counter for tracking progress, stitch markers to denote pattern sections, and safety pins or clips for holding stitches

Difficulty Level

Rated as intermediate, this pattern is designed for crocheters who have mastered basic stitches and are comfortable working with shaping techniques such as increases and decreases. The kimono construction and use of multiple stitch types make this an ideal project for developing more advanced garment-making skills.

Pattern Format

The California Love Kimono is provided as a downloadable PDF, allowing immediate access to the complete pattern instructions from designer Michelle R. Tharpes of 2Bossayknits.com. Finished garments made from this pattern may be sold, provided the designer is credited.