Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Angel Baby Kimono Pattern with Pictures


Generic Kimono - large size pattern
Made with Caron simply soft yarn - F hook
Large size outfit - typically fits 20-22 week angel babies
For smaller patterns click HERE
Estimate number of these outfits needed: 35% large, 50% medium, 15% small
Crab stitch edge

ch - chain
sc - single crochet
SH = Shell Stitch - 3 sc in the same stitch - should look kind of like this:



All right - here we go

Chain 33 - turn

Row 1: sc 4 - SH - sc 6 - SH - sc 8 - SH - sc 6 - SH - sc 4 - ch 1 - turn


Row 2: sc 2 in first stitch - sc across - sc 2 in last stitch - total of stitches = 42 - ch 1 - turn

Row 3: sc 6 - SH - sc 8 - SH - sc 10 - SH - sc 8 - SH - sc 6 - ch 1 - turn

Row 4: sc 2 in first stitch - sc across - sc 2 in last stitch - total of stitches = 52 - ch 1 - turn
Row 5: sc 8 - SH - sc 10 - SH - sc 12 - SH - sc 10 - SH - sc 8 - ch 1 - turn
Row 6: sc 2 in first stitch - sc across - sc 2 in last stitch - total of stitches = 62 - ch 1 - turn
Row 7: sc 10 - SH - sc 12 - SH - sc 14 - SH - sc 12 - SH - sc 10 - ch 1 - turn
Row 8: sc 2 in first stitch - sc across - sc 2 in last stitch - total of stitches = 72 - ch 1 - turn

Here's what your outfit should look like after row 8:

Row 9: sc 12 - skip 15 - sc 18 - skip 15 - sc 12 - ch 1 - turn

This row creates the sleeves. The stitches you skip will become the sleeves and you won't crochet the sleeves any more.



 You'll need to fold your outfit together so you can skip the stitches and keep going on the outfit


Just a couple shots of how to do this. It feels strange at first - but it will work.















This shows how to close off the sleeve. From now on you'll just crochet straight across - do not crochet on the sleeves any more.

This is how the outfit should look after row 9


Row 10: sc 2 in first stitch - sc across - sc 2 in last stitch - total of stitches = 44 - ch 1 - turn
This row is going to be what sets the tone for the rest of your rows. Just crochet straight across and skip the sleeves.

Row 11: sc across - total stitches = 44 - ch 1 - turn
Row 12: sc 2 in first stitch - sc across - sc 2 in last stitch - total of stitches = 46 - ch 1 - turn
Row 13: sc across - total stitches = 46 - ch 1 - turn
Row 14 - 28 : sc across - total stitches = 46 - ch 1 - turn

Edge with sc all the way around. SH in each corner - including the point where you stop adding stitches to the ends of rows (row 14). Make sure to leave button holes down one side of the gown. I usually do three holes - one at the bottom - one around the point (row 14) and one near the neck.









The outfits can be down now. You don't need to add the extra edge if you don't want to. I o like to add a crab stitch edge to the outfits - it helps them to hold their shape better. This is also known as the reverse single crochet stitch.

HERE is the link where I learned how to do this. You work right to left and there is kind of a swoopy thing you do with your hook. The link will help you a lot. It took me several times for me to get the hang of just how to do this - but this tutorial helps a lot. Here are some pictures I took - but it might be easier to go to the other link.

Work Right to Left. Go into the first stitch. It will feel like it's backwards.


Turn your hook to catch your yarn that you're working with.


Pull that yarn through like a regular single crochet


Now you need to turn your crochet hook around - it's a funny J type, clockwise motion. You won't really move your yarn - just your hook. Something like this.




When the top of your hook is back to your working yarn you need to loop over and pull it through - like you're finishing off a single crochet.





Then you'll have to kind of rotate your hook again so you can go back in the stitch on the right.


Several in a row:


At the corners do 2 in each of the middle of your SH stitch on the row underneath.

 When you get to the button holes just go in the back stitch but do the stitch just the same.



This is how the outfit should look with the crab stitch edge:




For buttons I like to use small shank buttons (meaning they don't have the holes - but one large hole in the back) around 7mm in size. You can definitely use regular buttons - they're just harder to get on the tiny outfits. And if you have some of those buttons you're willing to donate - please let me know. I have a bunch of white ones but I could really use some cream.


 I don't really sew the buttons on - I tie them on. Then I tuck the ends in. This is how the inside of the gown looks before I tuck the ends in:




And here's what the outfit looks like completed with buttons


Generic angel baby gown - Crab stitch or reverse single crochet edge



Generic angel baby gown - single crochet edge



For more angel baby info and crochet patterns (including best yarn types and colors) click HERE