This design is part of The Cottage Garden Vol. 2 collection, which is inspired by the Hobbits imagined by J.R.R. Tolkien in The Lord of the Rings --  their dwellings, their values and way of life.
It is available both as an individual pattern and as part of this eBook.

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Ok, so it’s not really a cloak, it’s a poncho! But “cloak” is more evocative isn’t it? In The Lord of the Rings, Galadriel gives the hobbits and the other members of the Fellowship of the Ring magic elven cloaks, which would “hide the wearers, (and) were light, and warm or cool as needed.”
I was inspired by these very useful garments and thought that a hooded poncho would be a suitable and more child-friendly approximation. This is the perfect cozy layer to throw on before going on any adventure! (and I could absolutely see this being the perfect beach cover up as well!)

CONSTRUCTION:

The hood of this poncho is worked seamlessly from the bottom up and closed using a three-needle bind off. Then stitches at the base of the hood are picked up and the garment is worked seamlessly in one piece from the top down. The hood is fully charted, and corresponding written instructions are provided as well.

SKILLS REQUIRED:

Long tail cast on (or provisional cast on if preferred), knitting, purling, increasing, decreasing, knitting in the round, picking up stitches, working simple cables, three needle bind off, working I-cords, binding off.

SIZES:

3mo (6mo, 12mo, 18mo // 2yo, 4yo, 6yo, 8yo, 10yo)

To fit waist: 18 (19, 20, 20.5 // 21, 21.5, 22.5, 23.5, 24.5) inches or 45.5 (48.5, 51, 52 // 53.5, 54.5, 57, 59.5, 62) cm

Garment waist circumference: 24.5 (26.25, 28.5, 31 // 32.5, 36.5, 39.75, 41.5, 45.5) inches or 62 (66.5, 72.5, 78.5 // 82.5, 92.5, 101, 105.5, 115.5) cm

In general it’s best to go by the recipient’s actual waist measurement when selecting the appropriate size instead of the age label. You can also choose a size according to how much ease you’d like the garment to have.

YARN REQUIREMENTS:

Approximately 400 (450, 500, 575 // 675, 775, 850, 900, 1000) yds or 366 (411, 457, 526 // 617, 709, 777, 823, 914) meters of worsted weight yarn

NEEDLES:

• US 7 or 4.5 mm diameter circular needle (or size needed to match Stockinette stitch gauge), 16 inches or 40 cm in length for size 3mo only, 24 inches or 60 cm in length for all other sizes
• one extra circular or straight needle of the same diameter to work the hood’s three-needle bind off
• two dpns size US 5 or 3.75 mm in diameter, or 2 sizes smaller than above, for I-cord button loop(s)
• 1 cable needle

NOTIONS:

• 6 stitch markers, including 1 of a different color
• tapestry needle
• 2 stitch holders or scrap yarn for sleeves
• 1 (1, 2, 2 // 2, 2, 2, 2, 2) buttons 3/4 inch or 2 cm in diameter, or toggles 1.25 inch or 3 cm in length

GAUGE:

20 sts x 28 rounds = 4 inches or 10 cm in Stockinette stitch in the round using larger needle, after blocking