As with my previous pattern, this pattern features a kimono! While I was writing my kimono bear pattern I was so inspired, I had ideas to make versions of all of my previous patterns in kimonos. So here is a kimono pikachu pattern!

This is a special type of kimono known as a yukata. It’s worn during the summer months and is made out of lighter material than other kimono. The shoes are also worn on bare feet instead of with socks.

Here’s something really interesting, when I posted a picture on instagram I received a comment asking if the photo was backwards. Something I didn’t know is that a kimono worn with the right side folded over the left is only meant for the deceased! Both my bear and the pikachu had the collar sewn on so that the right side was folded over the left, which is why I was asked if the photo had been reversed (or if it was actually right folded over left). It was so embarrassing, but it was also very nostalgic. I lived in Japan for several years and one of my biggest frustrations was all of the small, subtle rules that make a huge difference. The tiniest of changes can have the biggest meaning and when you’re a foreigner who doesn’t know any of those things, it can lead to a lot of embarrassing moments. This is a prime example, if the wrong side of the kimono is in front it means the difference between life and death!

Even small differences in the pronunciation of words can completely change the meaning. Case in point: kawaii vs kowaii. Kawaii, pronounced kah-wah-ee, means “cute.” Kowaii, pronounced koh-wah-ee, means “scary.”. There are many aspects of living in Japan that I miss, but the daily embarrassment of getting something very subtle very wrong is not one of them lol. Meanwhile, what the heck was up with my husband!? He’s Japanese! Born and raised in Japan, Japanese. I showed him both the bears and the pikachu and he didn’t say a word about the folding! At least I was able to fix the collar on the pikachu before posting the pattern!

Alright, that should be enough text to convince the robots I’m worthy. On to the pattern!

MATERIALS:

• Medium – 4 worsted weight yarn
• • Yellow
  • Black
  • Red
  • Brown
  • Main kimono color
  • Accent kimono color
  • Kimono pattern color (optional)
  • Obi (belt/sash) color
  • Shoe color
• Size G – 4 mm crochet hook
• 1 pair of 12 mm safety eyes
• Tapestry needle large enough to fit your yarn
• Toy stuffing

Check out the Materials page to see the exact materials I use in my patterns/tutorials

TERMS:

• CH: Chain
• FO: Finish off
• INC: Increase
• INV DEC: Invisible decrease
• MR: Magic Ring
• RNDS: Rounds
• SC: Single Crochet
• SLST: Slip stitch
• ST: Stitch

HEAD & BODY:

Yellow yarn

1. MR with 6 SC (6)

2. (INC) x 6 (12)

3. (SC 1, INC) x 6 (18)

4. (SC 2, INC) x 6 (24)

5. (SC 3, INC) x 6 (30)

6. (SC 4, INC) x 6 (36)

7. (SC 5, INC) x 6 (42)

8-14. (SC 42) x 7 RNDS (42)

15. (SC 5, INV DEC) x 6 (36)

16. (SC 4, INV DEC) x 6 (30)

17. (SC 3, INV DEC) x 6 (24)

18. (SC 2, INV DEC) x 6 (18)

19. (SC 2, INC) x 6 (24)

• Change to main kimono color

20. (SC 3, INC) x 6 (30)

21-30. (SC 30) x 10 RNDS (30)

31. (SC 3, INV DEC) x 6 (24)

32. (SC 2, INV DEC) x 6 (18)

• Attach eyes 11 or 13 stitches apart between rows 13 and 14
• Use your black yarn to embroider on a W shaped mouth
• Stuff the head and body

33. (SC 1, INV DEC) x 6 (12)

• Sew the bottom shut with your yarn by sewing through the front loop of every stitch and pulling it tight until it closes.
• Embroider on a kimono pattern using your pattern color and your tapestry needle, if desired.

CHEEKS:

Red yarn

1. Magic ring with 4 SC (4)

2. INC x 4 (8)

FO

EARS (Make 2):

Black yarn

1. Magic ring with 6 SC (6)

2. (SC 1, INC) x 3 (9)

3-5. (SC 9) x 3 RNDS (9)

Change to yellow yarn

6. (SC 2, INC) x 3 (12)

7-8. (SC 12) x 2 RNDS (12)

9. (SC 3, INC) x 3 (15)

10-11. (SC 15) x 2 RNDS (15)

FO

COLLAR:

Accent kimono color

1. CH 31

2. SLST 30

FO

Sew the collar around the neck in a y shape, so the left side of the kimono appears to be overlapping the right.

OBI:

Obi color

1. CH 33, turn

2. (SC 32, CH 1, turn) x 4 ROWS

FO

Sew on the obi as pictured below (last photo in the post).

ARMS (make 2):

Yellow yarn

1. Magic Ring with 6 SC (6)

2. (SC 1, INC) x 3 (9)

3-6. (SC 9) x 4 RNDS (9)

FO, stuff the arms

SLEEVES (Make 2)

Main kimono color

1. Magic ring with 6 SC (6)

2. INC x 6 (12)

3. (SC 1, INC) x 6 (18)

4. (SC 2, INC) x 6 (24)

5. SC 24 (24)

Change to kimono accent color

6-7. (SC 24) x 2 RNDS (24)

FO

• Embroider on the kimono pattern using your kimono pattern color and your tapestry needle.
• Wrap the sleeve around the arm so the bottom of the arm on coming out of the sleeve just slightly, sew in place.

FEET (make 2):

Yellow yarn

1. Magic Ring with 4 SC (4)

2. (INC) x 4 (8)

FO

Embroider on the sandal strap detail using your obi color yarn

SHOES:

Shoe color yarn

1. Magic ring with 5 SC (5)

2. (INC) x 5 (10)

FO

Sew the feet and the shoes together.

TAIL:

Brown yarn

1. CH 3, turn

2. SC 2, CH 1, turn

3. SC 2, CH 1, turn

4. SC 2, CH 3, turn

change to yellow yarn

5. SC 4, CH 1, turn

6. SC 4, CH 1, turn

7. SC 2, CH 1, turn

8. SC 2, CH 1, turn

9. SC 2, CH 5, turn

10. SC 6, CH 1, turn

11. SC 6, CH 1

FO

Sew the tail to the under side of the body so it appears to be coming out of the bottom of the kimono