A little kimono using up remnants of Alpaca Cotton in storm (grey) and rice (white). I didn’t want any seams on the armholes and shoulders (way too bulky with this yarn, specially for a baby), so I’m doing it in one piece. I’m going a bit bananas with the calculations (not a mathematical mind, me) but I hope I’ll manage. I’m also guessing on the size… We shall see. So far, so cute.

…OK, finished. It’s lovely! I’m so proud! Took a long time to get a bit more yarn to finish the edging, but otherwise it took two afternoons to complete, making up the pattern as I went as well. I’m guessing a bit how much yarn I used of each shade (would have been useful if I put it on the scales first, eh?) but it’s really scraps. I love this yarn. --Still no ribbon. I’m a fussy finisher, me.

---

WHAT I DID:

In one piece, starting at back hem and finishing at front hem, sewed at sides and underarms.

With white, CO 42 stitches, work 4 rows in seed stitch.

Change to gray, work 2 rows stockinette stitch, increasing 1 stitch at each end on 2nd row (I do this to compensate for the fact that, when I work fair-isle, my work tends to pull in. If it doesn’t happen to you, forget this.)

3rd row (WS) beg fair-isle chart (sorry I can’t make one right now, will try. It’s simple enough though! You’re probably able to reproduce it from the pics, or find one you like more even.)

(On next row, decrease 1 st at each end, if you increased before)

Work straight in gray until body measures 14 cms.

SLEEVES:

CO 17 sts on next 2 rows, work across.

Work straight until work measure 10 cms from new CO.

DIVIDE FOR FRONTS:

On RS, work 25 sts and place on holder.

BO central 20 sts, and work now only on remaining 25.

Work straight until sleeve measures 7cms from new CO edge.

SHAPE FRONT NECK:
On neck edge, inc 1 st every row 5 times.
Then on RS, CO 3 sts, and on next row (WS), inc 1 at neck edge.

Now, always at neck edge, on RS CO 4, on WS inc 1.
Repeat twice more.

Work 2 rows straight. (inc 1 st each end if you need it)

Now begin fair-isle chart, but upside down!

Work 3 rows st st, change to white, work 4 rows seed stitch, BO.

THE OTHER FRONT:
Place sts from holder onto needle, work to match other front, reversing shapings.

FINISH:
Sew underarms and side seams, leaving an opening of about 1.5 cms for ties right above fair-isle.

NECK EDGING: with smaller needles, pick up stitches more or less where you see fit (can’t be more specific, it’s the method I used!) and work 6 rows seed stitch.

Vertical front edgings: same, but only 3 rows.

Find a nice ribbon and stitch it on.

Er, forgive the muddle in the instructions, should there be any, which is bound to happen! Good luck, hope it helps if you want to make your own.