1965 Poncho

Material:

18 oz. worsted weight yarn #7 and #10 needles (American), or any size to get gauge

Gauge:

4 sts = 1 inch with larger needles in garter stitch

With larger needles cast on 3 sts and k one row.
Working in garter st, inc 1 st each side of each row until there are 145 sts on the needle. Place a marker (a safety pin would work well)
at both the beginning and the end of this row.

Next row: K across row, dec 1 st at the end of the row. Rep this row until there are 60 sts left on the needle.

With smaller needles, work in k1, p1 ribbing for about 4-1/2" inches.
Bind off loosely and place a marker (safety pin again) at the beginning and end of this row.

Make another piece in the same manner. You will have two 5-sided flat pieces, pointed at the bottom and horizontal across the top.

Put the 2 pieces together, matching the markers, and sew each side together between the markers (the decrease rows). You should now
have a poncho open at the pointed bottom (the increase rows), sewn side seams (the decrease rows), and a ribbed neck.

Finishing: You can add either fringe as I did, or tassels as the original directions give. For tassels, wind yarn 10 times over a 2-
1/2" cardboard. Tie one end, leaving a length of yarn long enough to tie the tassel to the poncho. Remove from cardboard and tie the
tassel again 1/2" down from the first tying. Cut the bottom loops. Tie tassels to the poncho at 2" intervals around the lower edge (see
why I used fringe instead?).

Here's my gift to the list: directions for a poncho I made in 1965. The original instructions came from a school friend--don't know
where she got them but it was a wonderfully warm poncho, rather avant garde at the time. Mine eventually became a kitty blanket, and I'd been
wondering where the instructions were. Found them the other day and I have to share. The poncho is made of 2 flat pieces (front and back),
knit in garter stitch beginning at the bottom point and ending with a k1, p1 neck, with sewn side seams. I do not have a photo,
unfortunately. Pls remember, this was 1965, so I don't have the yardage that would make 18 oz of worsted. I bought five 4-oz skeins
of 100% wool yarn and had enough.