Pattern Corner Series: The America Kimono (America 250 Knit)

Happy Independence Day Crafties!

I hope you all have a safe and festive weekend if you're here in the states. In the last Channel Chat, I made mention of bringing back this series where I showcase my designs. Time has been lacking for me lately but I managed to go out and get a bunch of footage and stills. Now, all feels

right with the world!

God is so good to me, having been born in a country where I can so openly pursue the creative arts, partly as a living and partly just because! Nothing is perfect but it's such a wonderful thing to have new opportunities each and every day.

God bless America and may we have another 250 years of prosperity!

'Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.' 2 Corinthians 3:17

Now on to today's main topic!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLk5HvlYLqc

This project started as a simple idea and it grew into a nearly two-year knitting journey. I set out to make a cooler version of a patriotic t-shirt I knit back in 2021. The final piece became a unique piece that I aptly named " The America Kimono." It's story is one of plans changing, patience, and dedication.

Disclaimer: This blog contains affiliate links, which means I get a small commission on qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.

How the Idea Was Born

This all began back in 2021. I first made a red, white, and blue 't-shirt' out of Lion Brand Pound of Love. It turned out great, but it was too hot for a Missouri summer so immediately after that, I planned a new project. I wanted to use a lighter yarn that would work well in the heat.

My search led me to some patriotic-colored cotton cakes this specific yarn was called "Nation's Twirls" in a colorway named "Washington DC." It was a sport weight yarn, which is much thinner and cooler. Back then I bought six cakes of it for this mainly because I hadn't been well acquainted with sport weight yarns and thought this new garment would take quite a bit. Sadly, this yarn has been discontinued for a long time. So by the time I got ready to release this pattern, I had to find a good substitute.

The Long Evolution: From T-Shirt to Kimono

My original plan was to knit an exact copy of that first t-shirt. I finally cast on the new project in April of 2024. Life had been utterly chaotic and out of my hands, unbeknownst to me, the start of this project would signify big changes. It was my last month of college. I also had a lot of family health events happening because of this, the project became something special. It turned into a long-term emotional support knitting project that I worked on through many ups and downs. I loved the patriotic colors; They felt comforting and positive.

Both designs used a technique called entrelac which creates a beautiful woven fabric look. I started with the back panel. I worked on it for so long that my gauge changed, the panel grew much wider than I had planned.

I faced a choice...I could undo months of work, or I could get creative. One night, I had an idea to turn this oversized piece into a different style of garment. I decided to make a kimono.

This idea solved my problem perfectly by using all the extra fabric in a stylish way. It also let me use up more of my special yarn. The kimono design felt grand and fitting for a celebration but was simple enough to share in a pattern.

Constructing the Kimono

After finishing the large back panel, I moved on to the two front panels. Thankfully, these went much faster. I did not have the same sizing issues. I sewed all three panels together to form the main body.

Next came the finishing details. I added cuffs to the sleeves. Finally, I worked on the border that goes all around the kimono, the "hem collar" if you will.

The Hem Collar Challenge

The hem collar goes around the entire open front and bottom of the kimono. Picking up the stitches for it took patience. I picked up a total of 907 stitches around the whole edge. I used a 60-inch long circular needle for this job and worked it in two different sections. I started at one side, picked up along the neck and back down to the other edge first, then the lower hem. I sewed the edged together to make it look seamless and in one piece. Working 15 rows of a simple 1x1 rib stitch, created a nice, stretchy border. This made the process so much easier to manage.

Casting that final stitch off felt incredible! I finished on December 30th, 2025 and it was a huge moment of accomplishment after such a long journey.

Materials and Tools You Will Need

If you want to make your own version, here is what you need. Please note, the exact yarn I used is discontinued but I've found a great substitute!

Yarn

You will need a patriotic-colored, sport weight yarn. My original was a cotton cake yarn called "Nation's Twirls." A great modern substitute is the Freedom colorway from Rena’s Thread & Crafts. I'm not sponsored or affiliated by them but they do offer a yarn that's pretty darn close to the yarn I used. Plus, who doesn't love supporting a small American business?

I recommend getting at least 3 or 4 of the 800-yard cakes just to be safe.

The colorway that matches mine most is Freedom but she does have a lighter one called Liberty that's also really nice!

Note on Yarn Preparation: The yarn I used had color changes within the ply. To get the gradual stripe effect, I separated the yarn by color as I worked. I started with solid red, then moved to mixes with white, and repeated the pattern with the blue.

Knitting Needles

You will need long circular needles. I used 2.75 mm Chiagoo Red Lace needles.

• For the back panel: A 60-inch circular needle.

• For the front panels: A 40-inch circular needle worked well.

• For the hem collar: The 60-inch needle is needed again.

  
  

Other Essential Tools

• Scissors or snips

• Stitch markers

• A tape measure

• A yarn needle for weaving in ends

• I also used fray check on my woven ends for extra security.

How I Photographed the Kimono

This project deserved a special photo session. After all, I finished it in time for Independence Day 2026!

So I went to my local botanical gardens for the first time in... probably 20 years? It was the perfect place with the natural backdrops, especially the Japanese garden which matched matched the kimono style. I wore it with a simple denim dress, matching sandals and a straw hat. The weather was very hot, but it was worth it.

I brought a remote for my camera which let me take pictures from a distance. It was a wonderful day celebrating the finish of a very long, meaningful project.

Final Thoughts

The America Kimono is more than just a piece of clothing to me. It is a record of a two-year period of my life but more than that, it represents the ability to persist through adversity and despair. To make something beautiful despite one's circumstances and if that isn't part of Americana, I don't know what it. This kimono started as a simple summer top idea and grew into a bold and proud kimono that I'll undoubtedly enjoy for years to come. The process reminded me how to adapt. When my knitting (life) didn't go as planned, I found a new, beautiful solution.

If you decide to make this, be ready for a long-term project. Maybe try to use it as your own comfort knitting. Enjoy the slow process of watching the stripes grow and the garment take shape. The feeling of finishing it is amazing!

Ready to start your own knitting journey? The full written pattern for this design is available on my blog.

Happy Making!