THE STITCH: Regarding the knitting, New Stitch A Day gives a fantastic demonstration on how to knit this stitch (also known as the Herringbone stitch). Please have a look and let me know if it helps clear it up for you: newstitchaday.com/horizontal-herringbone-stitch/

THE VIDEOS: I strongly advise viewing the video links that are included with this pattern. Please note that I refer to the Poncho as the Huntress Cowl in my videos, but have since changed the name.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-x3dafi2UnI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uZb7tdqVvk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6ZNgkydDQg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdPt1r9QOdI

THE NEEDLES: Regarding the US50 and US35 straight needles, I actually ended up making my needles as most of the ones you can find in stores such as Michaels are only 14” long, which is not long enough for the cowl portion of the poncho.

40” circular should work just fine, as my homemade straight needles are approximately 23” each.

However, if you are feeling adventurous, to make your own needles, you will need the following items (I bought mine at Home Depot - I’m in BC):

- One 48” long 1” diameter dowel (cut in half at the store)

• One 48” long 3/4” diameter dowel (cut in half at the store)
• A wood chisel similar to this one: http://www.homedepot.ca/product/side-strike-chisel/953832
• Sandpaper*

I then shaved down each dowel at one end into the shape of a needle (or pencil). Once I had the shape I wanted, I smoothed it out with the sandpaper. It’s important to make the tips as smooth as possible otherwise your yarn will snag as you knit.

THE COLLAR: If you would like to have a lighter collar and/or reduce the amount of yarn you have to use, please feel free to use only a single strand of yarn when finger-knitting your cords.

This is the toddler version of the Katniss-inspired Archer’s Poncho: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-archers-ponch...

First knit for my own little man, the toddler’s Archer Poncho is just as sturdy as the adult version. It requires half the yarn and far less time and is so much fun to make. Finger knitting, needle knitting and crochet are all lovingly put into the toddler poncho. Created using double strands throughout the body, the Archer’s Poncho can be worn as a sweater or as a second layer over your little one’s lighter jackets.