Knit a Kimono-Style Baggy Top for Girls from Two Triangles
Two big triangles, each started at a sleeve cuff, crossed over each other and joined with ribbed waistbands. A different, easy way to make a baggy top.
This baggy, kimono-style top is made in an unusual and very easy way. You knit two identical triangles, each starting from a sleeve cuff and growing wider. Then you cross them over each other, and ribbed bands picked up along the edges hold everything together at the waist. The video title says 4–7 years; the one I knit on camera is small, so go by the measurements below and add rows for a bigger size.
What you'll need
- 4-ply acrylic yarn
- Size 10 knitting needles (a circular needle helps for the bands, but two straight needles work)
- Stitch markers or pins
Step 1: The cuff
- Cast on
42 stitches.
- Rib
Knit 20 rows of 2x2 rib (knit 2, purl 2).
- Row 21:
Increase 6 stitches evenly across (48 stitches). You can keep the rib or knit plain on this row. Purl back.
Step 2: Grow the triangle
The pattern is 4 rows. On every right-side row, increase 1 stitch at each end (slip 1, increase, work to the last 2, increase, knit 1).
- Row 1 (RS):right side
Slip 1, increase, then knit 2, purl 2 across to the last 2 stitches. Increase, knit 1.
- Row 2 (WS):wrong side
Work the stitches as they appear.
- Row 3 (RS):right side
Slip 1, increase, knit to the last 2, increase, knit 1.
- Row 4 (WS):wrong side
Purl all.
Repeat these 4 rows for 50 rows. From row 51, increase at both ends on every row, right side and wrong side, so the triangle widens faster.
I stopped at 220 stitches, 118 rows after the border. The piece measured 14½ inches including the border (12 inches above it). Knit to the length you need, and for an older child make the border a few rows longer too.
Step 3: The side border
- On the next row, decrease 12–14 stitches evenly (knit 2 together here and there), so the border won't be loose.
- Knit 8–10 rows of 2x2 rib with no increases.
- Bind off in rib, knitting the knits and purling the purls. You can bind off with a double strand, because this edge sits at the side.
You now have a triangle about 15 inches long and 13 inches wide. Knit a second one exactly the same.
Step 4: Cross the two pieces
Lay the two triangles across each other so they make four layers. Either side can face out, since both look raised and pretty. The child's waist will run across the middle. Pin or mark the top layers together along the waist line. Leave the edge where you'll pick up stitches free.
Step 5: The waistbands
- Pick up
Starting from the side where your yarn is, pick up through both layers together: pick up 3 stitches, cast on 1, pick up 3, cast on 1, and so on. The extra cast-on stitches stop the band getting tight. I got 66, then cast on 1 more at each end, about 68–70 in all.
- Rib
Knit 20–22 rows of 2x2 rib. Start the first row with purl 2 (it's the wrong side).
- Bind off
Bind off in rib, not too tight. A double strand or the Old Norwegian bind off works well.
- Repeat
Pick up and knit the band on the other side the same way.
Step 6: Sew up
Sew the side seams and the sleeve seams with invisible stitching. Where the pieces overlap at the front, you can sew only part of the way and leave a little pocket. It looks lovely over a frock or with jeans.
- kimono top
- baggy sweater
- girls knitting pattern
- kids knitting
- 2x2 rib
- acrylic yarn
- hand knitted kids clothes
- handmade
