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# Seaside Breeze Kimono — An Easy Crochet Beach Cover-Up

A relaxed, boxy T-shaped kimono worked flat in five simple rectangles. With no armhole, sleeve or waist shaping to fuss over, this is a wonderfully forgiving make — perfect if you are newer to garment crochet. Light, airy treble fabric throws on beautifully over swimwear and ties at the waist with a self-made sash.

*Written in UK crochet terminology. Measurements are metric-first with inches in parentheses.*

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## Skill Level
**Easy** — straight rows of treble crochet, simple seaming, no shaping.

## Sizes
Written for **S/M**, with **(L/XL)** in parentheses. Generous oversized fit with plenty of positive ease.

### Finished Measurements
| Measurement | S/M | L/XL |
|---|---|---|
| Bust circumference | 112 cm (44") | 132 cm (52") |
| Body length (hem to shoulder) | 70 cm (27½") | 70 cm (27½") |
| Sleeve length (3/4) | 30 cm (12") | 30 cm (12") |
| Sleeve width | 40 cm (15¾") | 40 cm (15¾") |

*Choose a size with at least 15–25 cm (6–10") of positive ease over your actual bust for the intended loose, drapey look.*

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## Materials
- **Yarn:** Sport-weight (5-ply) cotton or cotton/bamboo blend, approx. 850 m (930 yds) / **1000 m (1095 yds)** total. *Example: 5–6 × 100 g balls.*
- **Hook:** 4 mm (UK 8 / US G-6)
- **Notions:** Tapestry needle, stitch markers, scissors

A drapey plant fibre (cotton, bamboo, Tencel) is recommended for a soft beach drape.

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## Tension (Gauge)
**16 tr × 8 rows = 10 cm (4")** in treble crochet using 4 mm hook, after blocking.

*Tension is forgiving here thanks to the oversized fit, but please make a swatch — it determines your finished width and length.*

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## Abbreviations (UK terms)
- **ch** = chain
- **dc** = double crochet (US: sc)
- **tr** = treble crochet (US: dc)
- **st(s)** = stitch(es)
- **sp** = space
- **RS / WS** = right side / wrong side
- **sl st** = slip stitch
- **rep** = repeat

*Note for US crocheters: UK tr = US dc; UK dc = US sc.*

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## Construction Notes
This is a classic kimono **T-shape** worked flat:
- **No armhole shaping** — sleeves attach at right angles to the body.
- **No shoulder shaping** — body and sleeves meet at a straight seam.
- **Dropped shoulders** — the sleeve seam sits well below the natural shoulder.
- **Rectangular, non-tapered sleeves.**
- **Open front** with a self-tie sash.

You will make **5 pieces**: 1 Back, 2 Fronts, 2 Sleeves.

The starting ch-2 at each row counts as the first tr unless otherwise stated.

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## THE PATTERN

### BACK (make 1)

Foundation: Ch **92** (108).
*(That's 90 (106) tr + 2 turning ch.)*

**Row 1 (RS):** 1 tr in 3rd ch from hook, 1 tr in each ch to end, turn. — **90 (106) tr**

**Row 2:** Ch 2 (counts as tr), skip first st, 1 tr in each st across, working last tr in top of turning ch, turn. — **90 (106) tr**

Rep Row 2 until piece measures **70 cm (27½")** from foundation — approx. **56 rows** total.

Fasten off. *Verify: 90 tr ÷ 16 tr per 10 cm = 56.25 cm width ✓; 56 rows ÷ 8 rows per 10 cm = 70 cm length ✓.*

---

### FRONTS (make 2 — they are identical)

Foundation: Ch **47** (55).
*(That's 45 (53) tr + 2 turning ch.)*

**Row 1 (RS):** 1 tr in 3rd ch from hook, 1 tr in each ch to end, turn. — **45 (53) tr**

**Row 2:** Ch 2 (counts as tr), skip first st, 1 tr in each st across, turn. — **45 (53) tr**

Rep Row 2 until piece measures **70 cm (27½")** — approx. **56 rows**, matching the Back exactly.

Fasten off. *Verify: two fronts = 45 + 45 = 90 tr = 56 cm; back 56 cm; total bust = 112 cm ✓.*

*This is a straight-edged front for maximum simplicity. The open front and neckline are created naturally by the front edging and the gap between the two front pieces.*

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### SLEEVES (make 2)

These are **wide rectangles with no tapering** — the same width top to bottom.

Foundation: Ch **66**.
*(That's 64 tr + 2 turning ch — same for both sizes.)*

**Row 1 (RS):** 1 tr in 3rd ch from hook, 1 tr in each ch to end, turn. — **64 tr**

**Row 2:** Ch 2 (counts as tr), skip first st, 1 tr in each st across, turn. — **64 tr**

Rep Row 2 until piece measures **30 cm (12")** — approx. **24 rows**.

Fasten off. *Verify: 64 tr ÷ 16 = 40 cm sleeve width ✓; 24 rows ÷ 8 = 30 cm length ✓.*

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## ASSEMBLY

Block all pieces to measurements before seaming — this opens up the drape and evens the stitches.

**1. Shoulder seams (straight horizontal seam):**
Lay the Back flat (RS up). Place a Front on top of each shoulder edge, RS together. For each shoulder, seam **15 cm (6")** in from the outer (armhole) edge using mattress stitch or sl st. This leaves the centre **26 cm (10¼")** of the Back open for the **neck opening**, and the full front inner edges open down the centre.

*Check: Back top edge = 56 cm. Two shoulder seams of 15 cm = 30 cm. Neck gap = 56 − 30 = 26 cm ✓.*

**2. Attach sleeves (perpendicular — dropped shoulder):**
Find the centre of each sleeve's top edge. Align it with the shoulder seam. Pin the sleeve's top edge to the body so it sits at a **right angle** to the body side edge, spreading **20 cm (8") onto the Front and 20 cm onto the Back** from the shoulder seam. Sew in place. The sleeve is NOT eased into a curved armhole — it simply attaches flat across the straight body edge.

*Check: sleeve top = 40 cm = 20 cm front + 20 cm back ✓; this sets the armhole drop at 20 cm.*

**3. Side seams:**
With RS together, seam each side from the **hem up to the underarm** (where the sleeve attachment begins, ~20 cm below the shoulder seam).

**4. Sleeve underside seams:**
Continue seaming from the underarm out along the **underside of each sleeve** to the cuff.

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## EDGING

**Front & neckband (worked in one pass):**
With RS facing, join yarn at the bottom right front corner.
**Round 1:** Work dc evenly up the right front edge, around the back neck, and down the left front edge. Aim for roughly **2 dc per 3 row-ends** along vertical edges to keep the edge flat and prevent flaring.
**Round 2:** Ch 1, 1 dc in each dc, working 2 dc into each corner. Fasten off.

**Hem & cuffs (optional, for a tidy finish):**
Work 1 round of dc around the bottom hem and around each cuff edge, then fasten off. For a decorative touch, finish with **1 round of crab stitch (reverse dc)**.

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## TIE SASH (make 1)

Ch **180** (or to desired length, approx. 130 cm / 51").
**Row 1:** 1 tr in 3rd ch from hook, 1 tr in each ch to end. Fasten off.

Thread the sash through the fabric at each side seam at waist height (or simply tie it around the waist over the open fronts). For loops, work two short **ch-8 loops** at the side seams to hold the sash in place.

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## FINISHING

1. Weave in all ends securely.
2. Lightly steam or wet-block the finished garment to relax the treble fabric and encourage drape.
3. Allow to dry flat.

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### Final Measurement Check
- **Bust:** Back 56 cm + 2 Fronts (28 cm each) = **112 cm (44")** ✓ — (L/XL: 66 + 33 + 33 = **132 cm / 52"**) ✓
- **Body length:** 56 rows ÷ 8 rows per 10 cm = **70 cm (27½")** ✓
- **Sleeve length:** 24 rows ÷ 8 = **30 cm (12")** ✓
- **Sleeve width:** 64 tr ÷ 16 = **40 cm (15¾")** ✓
- **Neck opening:** 56 − (2 × 15) = **26 cm (10¼")** ✓

Enjoy your breezy kimono — throw it on, tie the sash, and head to the shore!