Finished Size: About 44½“ (113 cm) in circumference and 21” (53.5 cm) in length.

Yarn Weight: #3 - Light

Needles: Body and sleeves: size U.S. 6 (4 mm): 24” (60 cm) circular (cir). Edging: size U.S. 5 (3.75 mm): 24” (60 cm) cir and set of 2 double-pointed (dpn).

Notions: Stitch holders; removable markers; markers (m); three 1” (2.5 cm) buttons; safety pin; tapestry needle.

Gauge: 22 stitches and 40 rows = 4” (10 cm) in royal quilting pattern on larger needle; 22 stitches and 26 rows = 4” (10 cm) in stockinette stitch with MC on larger needle.

A karaginu is a short jacket of brocade, perhaps embroidered or painted, with relatively narrow sleeves. I juxtaposed this concept with the stunning quilted surface embroidery techniques common to working-class peasantry kimono. To avoid too much of a good thing, I limited the quilting stitch to the garment body and the sleeve cuffs. The result is a sophisticated little jacket to suit any occasion.

This kimono features an unusual square neckline that is mitered at the inside corners and faced for weight and stability. I detailed the front edge with attached knitted cord to provide a definitively Asian design element when the jacket is worn open and functional buttonholes when worn closed. Th e fi nishing work is time intensive for this kimono, but well worth the effort—the construction warrants couture designation.