How to Knit a Poncho for a Baby
Hand-knit garments make exquisite gifts for babies. With their soft, cuddly texture, they appeal to youngsters and their parents. They also provide warmth and a sense of security. While blankets, bonnets and booties are all popular knitted items for infants, there are countless other creative projects that can be crafted with needles and yarn. One such item is a poncho, a garment that is fun and fairly easy to knit. A hand-knit poncho will be a snuggly, warm addition to baby's wardrobe, and will make a charming keepsake or hand-me-down.
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Things You'll Need
- Knitting pattern for a baby poncho
- Knitting needles
- Yarn
- Large-eyed needle for sewing seams
Instructions
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Knitting a Poncho for a Baby
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1
Know how to knit and purl, which are the fundamentals of knitting. There are several ways to learn these stitches; you can learn from an illustrated book, watch an instructional video online or ask a friend to teach you.
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2
Practice knitting in stockinette stitch, the basic knitting pattern in which the first row is knit and the second row is purled. Make a scarf, a few dishcloths or a small blanket. Practice until you feel confident and comfortable.
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3
Search for a poncho pattern that appeals to you. There are hundreds of resources for patterns, including library books, books you can buy and collections of individual patterns at yarn shops. The Internet offers sites, such as www.knittingpatterncentral.com, that can lead you to hundreds of free patterns.
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4
If you have just mastered the basic stockinette stitch, choose a pattern that uses either the stockinette or garter stitch. Garter stitch is even easier than stockinette; it is all knitting and no purling.
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5
Once you find a pattern, determine the size for the poncho. The pattern typically will give a few different sizes from which to choose. Consider whether you want it to be a garment the baby can grow into, or one that will fit her perfectly now.
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6
Use the pattern's instructions to determine the type and size of needles to buy, as well as what type of yarn and how many skeins you will need. Use your judgment when deciding on a color. Don't feel obligated to knit in blue for a boy and pink for a girl.
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Finish the poncho by sewing together any separate pieces according to the pattern's instructions. This is known as "finishing," and doing a neat job of finishing a knitted garment is just as important as the act of knitting it.
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Tips & Warnings
Avoid using buttons or other similar embellishments on garments meant for babies; they may fall off and present a choking hazard.
