P004 Ladies Kimono Sleeve Jacket

How to Crochet a Ladies Kimono Sleeve Jacket

Crochet a relaxed open-front jacket with dropped shoulders, wide kimono sleeves and statement granny-triangle pockets. Contrasting granny-style bands finish the cuffs, hem, neckline and front edges.

The jacket can be styled with casual clothing or worn as a lightweight cover-up. It may also be worked in one colour for a simpler finish.

Project Details

• Project number: P004
• Difficulty: Intermediate crochet
• Sizes: S, M, L and XL
• Australian sizes: 8–10, 12–14, 16–18 and 20–22
• Construction: Separate back, fronts and sleeves

Finished Measurements

• Fits bust: 80 (90–100–110) cm
• Garment bust: 120 (130–140–150) cm
• Length: approximately 56 (57–58–59) cm
• Sleeve length: 40 cm for all sizes

What You Will Need

Yarn

• Main colour: 12 (14–16–18) × 50 g balls of Makr Cotton 8 Ply
• First contrast colour: 2 (2–3–3) × 50 g balls
• Second contrast colour: 2 (2–3–3) × 50 g balls

Hook and Equipment

• 4.00 mm crochet hook
• Wool needle for sewing seams and weaving in ends
• Stitch markers or contrasting yarn

Alternative Yarns

Select a smooth DK or 8 ply yarn that can achieve 14 stitches and 10 rows to 10 cm over the offset treble pattern using a 4.00 mm hook.

• Mercerised cotton 8 ply: Creates crisp stitches and a slightly polished finish.
• Standard cotton 8 ply: The closest option for recreating the breathable summer garment.
• Cotton and acrylic blend: Produces a lighter jacket with improved resilience and quicker drying.
• Bamboo and cotton blend: Creates a softer jacket with fluid drape.
• Acrylic 8 ply: An easy-care alternative, although it may feel warmer and less breathable.

Use a yarn with good stitch definition so the offset trebles and granny clusters remain clear. Match by total metreage rather than ball count.

Tension

14 stitches and 10 rows to 10 cm over the offset treble pattern using a 4.00 mm hook.

Crochet Abbreviations

• ch: chain
• dc: double crochet
• tr: treble crochet
• sp: space
• sl st: slip stitch
• tr2tog: treble two stitches together
• yrh: yarn round hook
• dtrCL: double-treble cluster worked into the same space until 9 loops remain, then yarn round hook and draw through all loops, followed by 1 ch

What Is Offset Treble?

Offset treble is worked into the spaces between the treble stitches of the previous row rather than through the tops of the stitches.

This creates a slightly open, flexible fabric and helps the rows sit in a staggered arrangement.

Crochet the Back

1. Using the main colour and 4.00 mm hook, make 82 (90–98–106) ch.
2. Row 1: Work 1 tr into the fourth chain from the hook, then 1 tr into each remaining chain. 80 (88–96–104) stitches.
3. Row 2: Make 3 ch, which counts as 1 tr, then work 1 tr into each space between the stitches of the previous row. Turn.
4. Repeat Row 2 until the back measures 31 cm.
5. Tie contrasting yarn markers at both side edges to mark the beginning of the armholes.
6. Continue in pattern for 22 (24–24–26) more rows.
7. Fasten off.

Crochet the Fronts

Make two matching front pieces.

1. Using the main colour, make 38 (40–44–48) ch.
2. Row 1: Work 1 tr into the fourth chain from the hook, then 1 tr into each chain to the end. 36 (38–42–46) stitches.
3. Continue in offset treble until the front measures 31 cm.

Shape the Front Neck

1. Row 1: Make 3 ch, work in offset treble to the final 2 spaces, then work tr2tog over those spaces. Turn.
2. Row 2: Make 3 ch and work in offset treble to the end.
3. Continue decreasing at the neck edge on every alternate row until 26 (28–30–32) stitches remain.
4. Continue without shaping until the front is the same length as the back.
5. Fasten off.

Crochet the Sleeves

Make two matching sleeves.

1. Using the main colour, make 66 (70–74–78) ch.
2. Row 1: Work 1 tr into the fourth chain from the hook, then 1 tr into each chain to the end. 64 (68–72–76) stitches.
3. Continue in offset treble until the sleeve measures 33 cm.

Add the Sleeve Cuffs

1. Cuff Row 1: Using the first contrast colour, make 3 ch, work 2 tr into the first stitch, then *miss 3 stitches, 3 tr in the next stitch* across. Finish with 1 tr in the turning chain.
2. Cuff Row 2: Using the second contrast colour, make 3 ch, work 2 tr into the first space, then *miss 3 tr, 3 tr in the next space* across. Finish with 1 tr in the turning chain.
3. Repeat the cluster row four more times, changing colours in the sequence: main colour, first contrast, second contrast and main colour.
4. Fasten off and weave in the cuff ends.

Crochet the Triangle Pockets

Make two pockets.

1. Using the main colour, make 6 ch and join with a sl st to form a ring.
2. Round 1: Make 6 ch, which counts as 1 tr and 3 ch. Work [3 tr in the ring, 3 ch] twice, then 2 tr in the ring. Join and fasten off.
3. Round 2: Join the first contrast colour in a corner space. Work a corner cluster in each 3-ch space with 1 ch between groups. Join and fasten off.
4. Round 3: Join the second contrast colour and continue the triangle pattern, adding side clusters between the corner groups.
5. Round 4: Join the main colour and work 1 ch, 3 tr in side spaces and 3 tr, 3 ch, 3 tr in corner spaces.
6. Work 4 more rounds, changing colours in the sequence: first contrast, second contrast, main colour and first contrast.
7. Fasten off and weave in all ends.

Assemble the Jacket

1. Place both fronts over the back with wrong sides facing.
2. Join the shoulder seams.
3. Align the centre of each sleeve with a shoulder seam.
4. Sew the sleeves to the body between the armhole markers.
5. Join the sleeve and side seams.
6. Position and sew the triangle pockets to the lower fronts.

Add the Outer Border

1. With the right side facing, join the first contrast colour near the left side seam at the hem.
2. Work 3 tr into approximately every third stitch along the lower hem.
3. Work 3 tr into approximately every second row along each front edge.
4. Work 3 tr into approximately every third stitch across the back neck.
5. Join with a sl st.
6. Work 4 further cluster rows, changing colours in the sequence specified in the project sheet.
7. Fasten off and weave in all remaining ends.