Spring is for ponchos

Knit a quick and easy toddler's poncho!

I wanted to make something for my very precious--and only--granddaughter, but didn't have much time to do it. This fit the bill! And fit her, too. 

It was so much fun, I'm sharing the pattern.

Emilia's Poncho

A quick, easy and machine washable poncho suitable for ages ranging from 3 to 6. To make a larger size, increase the width and length of the rectangles.

Construction diagram

Easily knit by hand or by machine, this poncho is made from two rectangles and knit entirely in stockinette stitch. The yarn is variegated moving from grape color to pink and making effortless  stripes.

Yarn: Stitch Studio by Nicole Picnic, Grapes. 2 skeins (710 yds (649.2 meters), 200 grams.

Gauge: 26 stitches and 44 rows = 4 inches

Needles/Machine: Hand or machine.

1. Hand: #7 or 8 needles to get gauge
2. Machine used: Passap Duomatic 80 at tension 7.

Pattern

1. Cast on 76 stitches or 76 needles (machine)
2. Knit two rectangles in stockinette, each to a 20-inch length. (Knitting machine: 220 rows)

Finishing
Seam together the short end of No.1 rectangle to the end of one side of No.2 rectangle, as in the diagram above at right. 

Then seam the short end of No.2 rectangle to the near side of the long end of No.1 rectangle. 

Optional: From the right side, make a decorative chain stitch over the seams on both sides of the poncho, as seen below.

Detail showing decorative chain stitch on seam
and fringe around neckline.

Fringe: 2 inch fringe around the bottom. 
--Cut short lengths of yarn about 4.5 inches. 
--Insert a crochet hook through the knitted fabric near the edge of the bottom. 
--Fold each end of the 4.5 inch yarn pieces in half and--using the crochet hook--pull the loop up through the edge. 
--With the hook still in the loop, use the hook to pull the two loose ends of the yarn through the loop. Seat the knot by gently pulling. 

Repeat around the bottom of the poncho and trim to an even length of about 2 inches. In the example shown, the yarn lengths follow the color changes of the yarn.

Reverse side: Pink fringed neckline

Neckline treatment: To stabilize the neckline, single crochet around the edges. Add fringe, as seen here, if desired. 

A shorter length of fringe--about 1.5 inches--is most effective. On this poncho, the color of the fringe is centered with the grape color on one side (above) and pink on the reverse (right).