Monday, March 22, 2010

Mother Will Love You to Death

Poncho and matching hat patterns from “at the drop of a hat” by Lady Galt, 1968

Children take things so literally. March twentieth was the first day of Spring, so now the little monsters are ripping off their hats and coats and running around in nothing but their shirtsleeves. Next thing you know, you have to cancel your trip to the hair salon because the kids all have the sniffles.

But this crafty Mother found a solution!

“Now listen close, honey child. All these little girls refused to wear a hat because it’s springtime. Do you want your head to end up on a post? No, I didn’t think so.”

Good mothers always know how to terrorize inspire their children for their own good.

For the complete pattern (and more snark!):


Poncho Mates
CHILDREN’S: Fits size 6 to 10. One size fits all adults.

“They’re called Poncho Mates,” Mary told her daughter, “Because by wearing matching ponchos we’re showing the whole world that we’re best friends. Best friends for ever and ever!”
NOTE: Instructions are for childrens, adults are in parentheses.
MATERIAL: Lady Galt machine launderable Medallion (Group E) (3 strands).
Colour A: 12 (20) balls. Colour B: 6 (10) balls.
TENSION: 1 ½ sts = 1 inch.
PATTERN STITCH: Row 1 (wrong side) With Colour A, purl. Row 2: With Colour B, * k 1, sl 1; repeat from * to end. Row 3: With Colour B, purl. Row 4: With Colour A, * sl 1, k 1; repeat from * to end.

BACK PANEL: With Colour A cast on 26 (34) sts. Work in Pattern Stitch for 7 (17) ins, ending with a knit row. Keeping continuity of pattern dec 1 st each side every purl row 8 (10) times. Childrens: Cast off. Adults: Casting off as you work, dec as follows: k 2, * k 2 tog, k 1; repeat from * to end. Fasten off.

FRONT PANEL: (for childrens) Same as back.

SIDE PANELS: (make 2) With Colour A cast on 18 (22) sts. Work same as back panel until 2 sts remain. Childrens: Cast off. Adults: K 2 tog, fasten off.
Then Mary sat down and read “The Runaway Bunny” to little Becky.

“If you run away,” she read. “I will run after you.”

“Is that a threat?” asked Becky.
LEFT FRONT: (for adults) With Colour A cast on 18 sts. Work in Pattern Stitch until work measures same as back to dec. Keeping continuity of patter dec 1 st at beginning of every other row until 8 sts remain. Next Row: (right side) Casting off as you work, dec as follows: k 1, k 2 tog, k 1, (k 2 tog) twice. Fasten off.

RIGHT FRONT: Same as Left Front, reversing all decreases.

FINISHING: Sew side panels to back. Then sew front panels to side panels. With right side toward you pick up and knit 32 sts along left front edge. Next Row: Cast off. Finish right front same. Fringe: Cut 8 inch strands of yarn. Using 3 strands at a time, fold in half and thread through lower edge of poncho and knot as illustrated. DO NOT BLOCK.

Hugger
SHOWN WITH PONCHO MATES
(One size fits all adults)

“It’s called a Hugger,” Mary told Becky, “Because whenever I wear it, I’ll be thinking of how much I love hugging you.”
MATERIAL: Lady Galt machine launderable Medallion (Group E) (3 strands).
Colour A: 2 balls. Colour B: 1 ball. 1 pair 3/4 inch jumbo needles. 1 button.

TENSION: 1 ½ sts = 1 inch.

PATTERN STITCH: Row 1: (wrong side) With Colour A, purl. Row 2: With Colour B * k 1, sl 1; repeat from * to end. Row 3: With Colour B, purl. Row 4: With Colour A, * sl 1, k 1; repeat from * to end.
Little Becky knew she had to run away as soon as possible. She’d already bought a fake ID and a train ticket to Canada.


BODY OF HAT: With Colour A cast on 34 sts. Knit 2 rows. Next Row: Cast off 4 sts, knit to last 4 sts, tie in another ball of yarn, cast off 4 sts. Work in pattern st for 7 ins. Keeping continuity of pattern dec as follows: With wrong side toward you, p 7, * p 2 tog; repeat from * 5 times, p 7, cast off. Sew seam. Neckband: With Colour A, and right side toward you, pick up and knit 16 sts across lower edge of hat. Knit 1 row even. Cast off.

FINISHING: Stitch ends of neckband neatly to ties. Sew on button. DO NOT BLOCK.
If you start your Poncho Mates and Huggers now, you can finish them in time for Easter! Then you’ll be able to show off what a close knit family you are while your daughter gets her picture taken with the Easter Bunny.

This little girl’s Mommy didn’t love her enough to knit a Poncho Mate. No wonder the poor thing looks traumatized.
Topsy
SHOWN WITH PONCHO MATES
(One size fits all children)


MATERIAL: Lady Galt machine launderable Medallion (Group E) (3 strands).
Colour A: 2 balls. Colour B: 1 ball. 1 pair 3/4 inch jumbo needles.

TENSION: 1 ½ sts = 1 inch.

PATTERN STITCH: Row 1: (wrong side) With Colour A, purl. Row 2: With Colour B * k 1, sl 1; repeat from * to end. Row 3: With Colour B, purl. Row 4: With Colour A, * sl 1, k 1; repeat from * to end.

BODY OF HAT: With Colour A cast on 24 sts. Work in Pattern Stitch for 5 ins. Keeping continuity of pattern, dec as follows: First Dec Row: K 2 tog across row. Purl 1 row. 2nd Dec Row: Same as first dec row. Purl 1 row, break yarn, leaving a 20 inch end, draw through remaining sts and fasten securely.

FINISHING: Sew seam. Make a tassel, as illustrated.
And if your children all run away without their hats or ponchos, there’s always one family member who’ll never escape let you down.


Click here for the printable pattern.

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