You can adapt this poncho to fit any size
By: Christa Swanepoel
Photo: Elmarie Knapton
WHAT DO YOU NEED?
5 balls FAMILY KNIT CHUNKY (50 g) in Cloud Blue
6 mm needles
6 big buttons
TENSION
14 sts x 20 rows = 10 cm over st st with 6 mm needles
Use thicker needles than usual for a softer effect
SIZE
Fits 5–7 year-olds. Poncho measures 48 cm (length) by 48 cm (width) and has a loose fit.
TIPS
For other sizes: measure how wide it will need to be, divide the width by 10 and multiply it by 14 for the number of stitches.
Example: 50 cm ÷ 10 = 5 x 14 = 70 sts. Start decreasing for neck 8–10 cm before required length as below. For bigger sizes you can decrease more stitches on both sides of neck opening. Pick up stitches around neck edge and knit the collar as long as you please.
ABBREVIATIONS
c/off – cast off c/on – cast on k – knit ms – moss stitch (1st row: (k1, p1) to end. 2nd row: knit the purl sts and purl the knit sts) pat – pattern p – purl rep – repeat RSF – right side front WS – wrong side
METHOD
Front
With 6 mm needles c/on 61 sts. Work in moss stitch for 6 rows.
7th row: ms 7, k to last 7 sts, ms 7.
8th row: ms 7, p to last 7 sts, ms 7. Rep last 2 rows till work measures about 9 cm, ending with WS row.
Next row (buttonhole row): ms 3, c/off 2 sts, ms 2, k to last 7 sts, ms 2, c/off 2 sts, ms 3.
Next row: ms 3, c/on 2 sts, ms 2, p to last 7 sts, ms 2, c/on 2 sts, ms 3. Continue in pat and make buttonholes on 15 cm and 21 cm. Continue in pat till work measures about 40 cm, ending with WS row.
Next row: k 23, c/off middle 15 sts, pat to end and complete two shoulders separately. Continue in pat and c/off sts at neck edge as follows: twice 3 sts, twice 2 sts. Continue without shaping till work measures about 48 cm from beginning, ending with WS row. C/off. Complete other shoulder as mirror image of first side..
Back
Work as front, but leave out buttonholes.
Collar
Sew up shoulder seams. With RSF pick up and k about 72 sts along neck edge (multiple of 2). Work in ms for about 22 rowa. C/off in ms.
FINISHING OFF
Sew up left shoulder and collar seams.
Sew on buttons in line with buttonholes.
