Calculating how many stitches are needed to knit body as one piece. Pattern calls for 50 + 116 + 50 (216 stitches), but that includes (4) extra stitches for seams. To confirm: The rib pattern is 6 stitches. One extra stitch seems to be added to each edge for the seam. For a Large, the side pieces have 8 rib repeats each and the back contains 19, for a total of 35 ribs, or 210 stitches. Add one to the edges where the collar/border will be added. Therefore, cast on should be 212. Place markers for sides at 49 stitches from each end -- 3 sections: 49, 114, 49.

When starting rib section, begin as stated (p3, k2), follow rib pattern, ending with p3.

First attempt at a Christmas kimono failed. Shimofuri chairo ke bura was frogged because the cablework was too time consuming (and my gauge was way off -- how can it always be so far off from the swatch???) So I decided to try something simpler that I could finish this year.

Note: after completion, I checked gauge on this one: 16 st/4” using a US7 Knitter’s Pride wooden Cubic. :(
It was slightly large on me, but since my friend is a size larger than me, it’s probably ok. But the fabric was terribly stretchy.