One amazing thing that happened was that on saturday, while waiting for something to start i got food. (Free food which really help when i went low during the weekend) I go sit down and check my BS and take my shot. I hear the person sitting next to me say "yay for insulin" or something like that. i turn to hr and say "I'm glad you know what insulin is" and she tells me that she has a friend that's diabetic. Meeting people yay! That made me so happy, but we still didnt talk about diabetes more then that.
And for any who may have been there, and saw my crochet kimono i know i had a lot of pictures taken of me and a lot of questions asked. So i decided to post some things here about it.
Q: Did you make that?
A:Yes, yes i did.
Q:How long did that take (to make)?
A: A few months, but i was just diagnosed diabetic, so when i worked on it i worked on it. But it was infrequently and i had a lot going on (obviously)
Q:How many skeins did it take?
A: It took about 13 but for most we could (and were planning on) stitching 10 less stitches on the back panel. I also wanted long sleeves (Good for carrying D stuff and everything else). for shorter sleeves less yarn is needed.
Q: Did you use a pattern?
A:No, i made it up as i went along. I will post the pattern here and try to find a picture of it to post soon. Mostly so the person who i ran into in the bathroom doesn't come after me. Lol.
Q: Isn't that hot?
A: Outside and in certain rooms YES! It felt like instant death. in other rooms though others people were jealous because it was so cold in that room. It was made more for winter.
Some additional info for those who may be curious, but i was not asked.
The kimono was made using ocean colored yarn and the obi was Bonbon. Both should be Red Heart Super Saver yarn. My younger sister did help me with some of the shaping. Other then that i did it all myself. I wanted it to be one size fits all, so we went and made it bigger then it needed to be. Also the pattern may be changed when we make a second one (reversed yarn colors so kimono=bonbon obi=ocean) for my sister there may be changes as we find a better way to do things (like the sleeves).
Here are some words from my sister "a few words..." just kidding. As mention she was a big help in shaping and helping me figure out where i put my brain during this project. She may not have done even a forth of the crocheting but i never would have finished without her. LOVE YOU!
For shaping and sizing the rule of thumb used was to hold it up against your back for the size and the shaping on the front was designed so that it wouldn't have issues with different "chest" sizes because the kimono was made to be one size fits "all". However if you are making it for yourself you can just drape it over yourself to see if it covers 2/3rds of your chest. (in regards to my sisters brain it was hiding under the yarn :} )
Back panel (make 1)
in your color of choice
Ch. 50 (more or less following the above for children or curvier women) ch.2 (?) turn
Double crochet in each stitch across for around 108 rows. Again more or less depending on how long you need or want it. I was going more for a dancing kimono myself.
Front panels in color of choice (make 2)
Start by finding the top of your back panel, or by continuing on for the back panel on one side. If done the second way you will not need to attach the two pieces at the shoulder.
double crochet for about 20 stitches. Ch.2 (?) turn and double crochet for about 108 rows, increasing as you go along or that it is almost the same size as the back panel by the time it reaches your hip. when you are done you will need to sew or crochet the two pieces together, leaving room for your arm.
As a note on kimono the armpit area is left with a giant hole so that you don't over heat and such. You can choose to go more traditional or to completely attach the body together.
Sleeves make 2 in color of choice
(before beginning i would like to say that i do not like how my sleeves are done and so until i can work on it there will be no shaping to these sleeves in this pattern yet.)
For this part it will also depend on the person, so the longer your arms the more stitches that will need done. Ch. until it reaches it reaches the end of your wrist to the shoulder hem on a shirt. Double crochet a square or rectangle until folded in half, the sleeves reach the desires length. Leaving room for you arms to go through, sew or crochet two sides and either none or part of the third.
Do NOT sew the third part all the way. This is the side of the sleeve that will be attach to the body, which is left open so that the sleeves can be used as pockets. For any diabetic with pumps, you can make a small pocket for the inside or outside of the body or sleeve to hold your pump if you make longer sleeves.
If you are unsure on how to attach the pieces, Google has amazing pictures.
My kimono at this time does not have an eri, or collar. simplely make a skinny strip and sew it on for one. I plan on doing this when i get more yarn. Also for my kimono and this pattern has the two parts of the front as one piece. If it is easier for you to make the front panels in two parts please let me know how it worked out. Please send pictures of your kimono to me! My other e mail which i am more likely to check is mewgir@yahoo.com. Let me know how you kimono turns out. I will also try to update this pattern as we make my sisters so that it is easier and make, so more people make one. Now i must pass out cause im tired!
