Every baby should have a version of this highly customizable kimono wrap in his or her wardrobe. Make it in a camouflage varigated yarn or make a very girly version in pink with a picot or shell edging and a flower appliqué. Anything you can think of!
This kimono wrap is worked in one piece from the neck down in hdc. Gauge of example (12 months size) is 14 hdc / cm. However, if you follow the measurements given throughout the pattern any gauge and stitch can be used.

The example kimono wrap was made using

- a 4,5 mm hook (US 7)
- a 4 mm hook (US 6) for the ties
- 2.5 skein of Wibra Iris yarn (100% acrylic, 125 m / 50 g)
- a small amount of orange yarn of the edging in similar weight and material as the main yarn used.

Baby Sizes: approx. 6 months ( 12 months, 18 months)

My daughter Rosalinde (at the moment of this writing about 8,5 months old) is wearing the 12 month size in the picture fully closed. As you can see it is still rather big on her. But, better too big then too small!

Gauge of example (12 months size) is 14 hdc / 10 cm (4 "). However, if you follow the measurements given throughout the pattern any gauge and stitch can be used.

- hdc-inc = 3 hdc in 1 stitch
- hdc-dec = decreasing 1 hdc over next 2 stitches as follows: [yo, insert hook in next st, yo, draw lp through] twice, yo, draw through all 5 lps on hook.

Body of kimono wrap

1. Start with a hdc foundation row consisting off 29 (33, 37) hdc ( 20,7 , 23,5 , 26,4 cm)

2. Ch 1, turn, 2 hdc in first stitch, hdc-inc in next stitch, 1 hdc in each of the next 7 (8, 9) stitches, hdc-inc, 1 hdc in each of the next 9 (11, 13) stitches, hdc-inc, 1 hdc in each of the next 7 (8, 9) stitches, hdc-inc, 2 hdc in last stitch.

3. Ch 1, turn, 2 hdc in first stitch, hdc in each stitch, with hdc-inc in the middle of each hdc-inc of the previous row. End with 2 hdc in last stitch.

Repeat 3. till the length between the second and third hdc-inc (measured from the middle hdc of the hdc-inc to the other middle hdc) is 23,5 cm (27,5 cm, 30 cm)

4. In this row the armhole will be closed. Ch 1, turn, 2 hdc in first stitch, hdc in each stitch until the next hdc-inc, then * hdc in the first 2 stitches of the hdc-inc of the previous row. Skip the next length of hdc's and hdc directly into the middle hdc of the hdc-inc of the previous row *. Hdc across until next hdc-inc, then repeat from * to *. Hdc across till end of row and end with 2 hdc in last stitch.

5. Ch 1, turn, 2 hdc in first stitch, hdc in each stitch across, end with 2 hdc in last stitch.

Repeat 5. till the diagonal parts of the left and right front panel are each only 2 stitches away from being the same width as the back panel of the kimono wrap. (With the left front panel the panel is meant that is on the left in the picture above.)

6. Ch 1, turn, 2 hdc in first stitch, hdc in each stitch across until the left front panel is reached. Then hdc in next stitch, ch 1, skip 1 stitch and continue with hdc across , end with 2 hdc in last stitch.

7. Ch 1, turn, hdc across.

Repeat 7. till the kimono wrap measures approx. 24 cm (26,5 cm, 29 cm) from shoulder till bottom hem.

Edging

With right side facing, ch 1, sc up front opening until you reach the lower corner of the diagonal. Without ending off, make a chain about 25 cm long (in my case 45 chains). Switch to the smaller hook and slip stitch back along the chain. When you reach the corner of the diagonal again, switch to bigger hook and sc to corner. (Tie made).
Then continue to sc around neckline and down other front opening until you reach the lower corner of the diagonal, make tie with the same amount of chains used before. Then continue with sc around, 3 sc in corner stitch, sc around hemline, 3 sc in other corner stitch and join with a slip stitch. Fasten off.

Also make 2 separate ties and sew these firmly on the sides (where the side seam would be if there was one) on the same height as the other 2 ties are.

You can of course use buttons instead of ties although in my opinion the ties have the advantage that they can be adjusted so the wrap will fit longer. Buttonholes can be made by skipping the appropriate amount of chains when making the edging. For a sturdier finish do another round of sc along hemline and opening. Make the last round of edging with the right side facing.

Sleeves

1. With right side facing, attach yarn at bottom of armhole, ch 2. Hdc around and join with a slip stitch in the top of the ch 2.

2. Ch 2, turn, hdc around and join with a slip stitch in the top of the ch 2.

3. Ch 2, turn, hdc-dec, hdc around until last 2 stitches, hdc-dec and join with a slip stitch in the top of the ch 2.

Repeat 2. and 3. until the width of the sleeve measures approx. 8 cm (9 cm, 10 cm).
Then repeat 2. until the sleeve measures 15 cm (17 cm, 19 cm) in length.

When doing an edging in contrasting yarn, finish off. Join yarn in new color with right side facing, ch 1 and sc around. Join with a slip stitch in the top of the ch 1. Finish of and weave in ends.
Repeat with other sleeve.