A Dabble in Design: My Blanket Poncho

I had leftover bulky weight yarn from my Morning Coffee Cowl and wanted to try my hand at a personal design.

I'm always cold- especially in the house when the A/C is running. But blankets fall off my shoulders when I move around, and I can't just sit wrapped in a blanket all day.

A poncho is the best option, and in my mind, it would be simple to design.

Main design features:

• Triangle shape

• Rolled neckline and hem

• Slipped seams

• Short rows to lift back

I wanted a triangle silhouette which I initially believed could be achieved by increasing only at the side seams. I also slipped the stitches between the increases for a bit of visual interest and to highlight the seams.

Pretty early in the knitting process it became clear my first go would not work. I got long enough that the poncho should be down over my shoulders. But the rate of increases were not fast enough to be wide enough for my shoulders. This left a wrinkle of fabric around my collarbones as the poncho shifted upwards to find the spot that was wide enough.

I frogged all the way back to the neckline and then increased on the side seams, and front and back as well. I doubled the increases which made the body wide enough for my shoulders and it will sit flat.

This also made it a nice square when laid out totally flat. The hem has that fun handkerchief style.

There are just a couple things I'm disappointed in and will be changing the next go around:

1) the rolled neckline is not rolled.

2) it is not long enough.

The rolled neckline disappeared because of poncho's weight. For the fabric to roll properly, it has to be relaxed. The weight should have been on the ribbing portion, but I did 2 rows of ribbing. I should have done 1 inch at least.

I also ran out of yarn before I could get the length I wanted. Next go, I'm going to knit it all the way down to my wrists.

But I'm really happy with it still! I wear it about the house to keep me warm. I did get immensely bored knitting it which made it perfect as a travel/TV watching knit.

I'm excited for version 2 as well as a mini version for my toddler.