Major Knitter

Even More Martha

In case you haven't had enough... here's another link to a free poncho pattern for the Martha Stewart poncho.  This one is from Interweave Press and it's called the Freedom Poncho

Martha's Coming Home Poncho - Pattern #2

Lion Brand has posted their free crochet pattern like the one that Martha Stewart wore home from prison last week.  Check out the free pattern here.  Lion Brand is good enough to offer a free knitting pattern which they anticipate will be ready later this week.

The good news is that I feel justified wearing my poncho another year.  The funny news is that on Saturday Night Live (the TV show... not my Saturday kNit Live) David Spade did a spoof on Martha Stewart's press conference.  He was a riot in the poncho and a blonde wig.  Did you see it?

Match Martha's Poncho

Thanks to my friend Julie who has eagle eyes - I can happily tell you that Herrschners was first! Click here for the crochet pattern for Martha Stewart's get out of jail free poncho

Lionbrand is working on a poncho pattern, but it's not published yet.  They think it will be ready sometime early next week.

Next up - American Girl Poncho

My friend Anne Marie, loaned me her daughter's American Girl doll for a week.  I've been busy cutting out paper patterns to make some poncho patterns for the doll.  It should be fun.  I think these will be great little Christmas gifts for my friends.  Check back later for the actual pattern which I will be sharing under the "FREE PONCHO PATTERNS" as well as the "FREE KNITTING PATTERNS" photo albums to the right.

Oh, and by the way, I'm still having technical difficulties with the camera.  Er, I can't find the battery recharger.  How idiotic do I feel right now?  Ugh!

Finally... an IDENTIFIED FINISHED OBJECT!!!

OK. I bought the yarn in August. I knit here and there for the past 3 months. Today I finally finished the white and turquoise children's poncho. Whew! I think it's cute, but I would make some changes to the pattern. Bascially, I would make it a square poncho that would fall into a nice centered point (both in the front and the back just like Barbie's poncho), rather than an assymetrical poncho (which some people find awkward and in need of constant adjusting).

What do you think?

[Come back tonight for the picture]

This is the Barbie and Me matching poncho set. I'll be selling the pair at a home show this weekend in Westport. Wish me luck. I have a lot of finishing and pricing to do before tomorrow night. It's time to go into overdrive!

How to Make Your Own Poncho Pattern

Do you remember the lesson on how to make your own Poncho Pattern from August 22 using the newspaper? Well, that's the same thing you'll do if you want to make a poncho for something larger than Barbie (An American Doll, teddy bear, etc).

Cut out a pattern with paper.

Sew up Side A to Side B

Test out the template.

I took paper and cut out a rectangle. Then I folded it in half length-wise. On one side, I cut out a semi-circle for the neck. I taped the sides together and slid it over Barbie's head to test the fit. Once I was satisfied, I picked out some yarn and the appropriate size needle (per the yarn manufacturer's suggestion) and made a swatch. I used the swatch to determine how many stitches to cast on for the actual poncho. Then I alternated stripes throughout until I got to the neckline (or semi-circle cut out). At this point, I decreased and increased appropriately for a neckline. On the other side of the neck, I repeated the striped pattern exactly (in opposite order) until I got to the end. Then I simply bound off the stitches, sewed up the sides and had a completed Barbie poncho. I did not do any finishing around the neckline for Barbie. I think for a larger doll or stuffed animal (and definitely for a child or adult) you might want to crochet a single chain edging for a more finished look.

Barbie Poncho Pattern

I just added the directions to make the poncho for Barbie and put in in the photo album at the right entitled "Free Poncho Patterns". Check it out if you're looking for a quick little gift for your favorite doll collector. I used the leftover yarn from the larger version. I thought it would be fun to make "Me and My Doll" matching ponchos for gifts. Kind of makes me wish I had a little girl. (Only sometimes).

Ta Da! It's the Blue, Blue, Blue Poncho (finally)

Well, here I am posing for the photographer (Michael, my 5 year old son) modeling my new blue, blue, blue poncho. I think it turned out even better than expected. I made it using one skein of "Cool Stuff" in Marina (navy blue tones) from Prism Yarn. I'm not even sure I'm going to give it the extra effort of finishing the neckline and the outer edge with a single crochet finish. Maybe it will just keep the rustic look. I'm still bothered tremendously by all the knots in the yarn, but I'm just going to ignore it. The finished look is quite nice. And if I decide to refigure all the knots, this project will go to the "UN-FINISHED OBJECT" (Would the correct acronym for that be UFO?) pile and sit while the poncho craze runs its course. I guess I'll just wear it and enjoy it.

What do you think?

One of the ladies at tennis offered to buy it off my back. How's that for positive reinforcement?

Blue, Blue, Blue Poncho

Remember the blue yarn with the knots?

It's almost a poncho. I finished knitting it. It's very simple. Almost too simple. But I think it will be dramatic when finished.

The pattern is something like this...

Cast on 106 stitches on a size 17 needle
Knit in garter stitch until all the yarn is used.
Sew the sides together, leaving enough room open for the neck.
Using a complementary yarn, crochet a single chain around the neck and the bottom edge.

Here's a somewhat blurry picture of me knitting the blue poncho on the train.

When I get my new camera, I'll post some more pictures.

Even Barbie Gets a Poncho

Well, it was too good of an opportunity to pass up. I am done knitting the white and turquoise poncho. Now I just need to sew up the sides, weave in the loose ends, cast on the turquoise novelty fur and knit the border.

In the meantime, I used the leftover yarn to make a doll sized poncho. I thought it would be a cute combo for any girl and her Barbie.

Check back for photos. I swear I took some cute ones, but the camera is really acting up. Don't worry. I put a new camera on my birthday wishlist (which is coming up soon, by the way... wink, wink).

When will the poncho madness end?

Poncho Fashion Show

Tara Brownlee and her mother Brenda Brownlee have been very busy making ponchos. We had a mini-fashion show at Abbondanza Saturday morning.

Here's Tara's gorgeous golden poncho made from yarns and a pattern she purchased at Janet Kemp's. Rave reviews from everyone in the coffee shop.

Brenda made this poncho pattern up as she went along. It's done in crochet (Brenda's a whiz at crochet) using a cone of cotton yarn (perhaps a kitchen cotton?). The neckline was a little wide, so she made a drawstring and tightened it up a bit creating a beautiful ruffly neckline.

Poncho Progress - Part 2

I'm about two-thirds of the way through the Girls Poncho from The Knitting Niche. I like the poncho, but I hate the Debbie Bliss cotton angora. Nothing against Debbie Bliss, I just don't care for angora. It gets everywhere (including in my nostrils!). Ick!

Not the greatest picture. I'll try to take a replacement one soon.

Poncho Progress

Here's the progress I'm making on the Girls Poncho. What do you think?

PONCHO PATTERNS

I've added a new photo album on the sidebar at right entitled PONCHO PATTERNS. Check it out. So far, I have three poncho patterns with photos and instructions (or links to where you can purchase the pattern yourself). Tell me what you think. If you make a poncho, I'd love to see a picture (which I'll dutifully post for you).

Happy Poncho Purling (and knitting, too)

: )

The Girls Poncho

I began knitting the Girls Poncho by Vanessa Cayton at The Knitting Niche today on the train. Here I am making the swatch.

It's a beautiful piece to knit. I hope you like it.

5 skeins of Debbie Bliss Cotton Angora
1 skein Tahki Poppy
1 skein Gedrifa Techno Hair
1 set US size 8 straight and 16" circular needle

Isn't it the best? I bought enough yarn to make 3 separate ponchos. I can hardly wait to finish all three! Debra and Anne Marie are already on the waiting list for ponchos for their daughters.

Debra - don't worry. For you darling, I will track down that hot pink Debbie Bliss Cotton Angora. I hope you don't mind dry cleaning a poncho for a first grader!