GAUGE:

16 sts + 22 rows = about 4 in. (10 cm) in St st (k on RS, p on WS).

When you match the gauge in a pattern, your project will be the size specified in the pattern and the materials specified in the pattern will be sufficient. The needle or hook size called for in the pattern is based on what the designer used, but it is not unusual for gauge to vary from person to person. If it takes you fewer stitches and rows to make your swatch, try using a smaller size hook or needles; if more stitches and rows, try a larger size hook or needles. 

Making a Gauge Swatch

STITCH EXPLANATION:

K2, p2 Rib worked in rows (multiple of 4 sts + 2 additional sts) Row 1: K2, *p2, k2; rep from * across. Row 2: K the knit sts and p the purl sts. Rep Row 2 for K2, p2 Rib worked in rows. K2, p2 Rib worked in rnds (multiple of 4 sts) Rnd 1: *K2, p2; rep from * around. Rep Rnd 1 for K2, p2 Rib worked in rnds.

NOTES:

1. Front and Back are worked separately. 
2. The yarn color is changed to make stripes.
3. Turtleneck is worked directly onto Poncho.
4. Circular needle is used to accommodate the large number of Back and Front sts. Work back and forth in rows on the circular needle as if working with straight needles.

BACK
With longer circular needle and A, cast on 138 sts.
Work in K2, p2 Rib worked in rows until piece measures about 1 1/2 in. (2.5 cm) from beg.
Change to B.
Work in St st (k on RS, p on WS) until piece measures about 5 1/2 in. (14 cm) from beg, end with a WS row as the last row you work.
Change to C and continue in St st until piece measures about 7 1/2 in. (19 cm) from beg, end with a WS row as the last row you work.
Change to A and continue in St st until piece measures about 11 1/2 in. (29 cm) from beg.
Place a marker on each side of the last row to indicate beg of armhole.
Continue in St st with A until armholes measure about 5 1/2 in. (14 cm) from markers, end with a WS row as the last row you work.
Shape Shoulders
Row 1 (RS): Bind off 3 sts, k to end of row – you will have 135 sts at the end of this row.
Row 2: Bind off 3 sts, p to end of row – 132 sts.
Row 3: Bind off 2 sts, k to end of row – 130 sts.
Row 4: Bind off 2 sts, p to end of row – 128 sts.
Rows 5-36: Rep Rows 1-4 eight times – 48 sts at the end of Row 36.
Shape Neck
Row 1 (RS): Bind off 3 sts, k until there are 9 sts on your needle, join a 2nd ball of A and bind off center 24 sts for back neck, k to end of row – 9 sts on one side and 12 sts on the other.
You will now be working both sides AT THE SAME TIME with separate balls of yarn.
Row 2: On first side, bind off 3 sts, p to end of side; on 2nd side, bind off 7 sts, p to end of side – 9 sts on one side and 2 sts on the other.
Row 3: On first side, bind off all sts; on 2nd side, bind off 7 sts, k to end of side – 2 sts on rem side.
Bind off rem 2 sts.

FRONT
Work same as Back through Row 12 of Shape Shoulders – you will have 108 sts.
Shape Neck and Shoulders
Row 1 (RS): Bind off 3 sts, k until there are 47 sts on your needle, join a 2nd ball of A and bind off center 8 sts, k to end of row – 47 sts on one side and 50 sts on the other.
You will now be working both sides AT THE SAME TIME with separate balls of yarn.
Note: The neck and shoulder shaping instructions below can be summarized as follows: Continue to shape shoulders as established, alternately binding off 3 sts and then 2 sts at shoulder edges, and AT THE SAME TIME, bind off 2 sts at each neck edge 7 times, then bind off 1 st at each neck edge once, when neck shaping is complete, continue shoulder shaping as established until all sts have been bound off.
Row 2: On first side, bind off 3 sts, p to end of side; on 2nd side, bind off 2 sts, p to end of side – 47 sts on one side and 45 sts on the other.
Row 3: On first side, bind off 2 sts, k to end of side; on 2nd side, bind off 2 sts, k to end of side – 43 sts on one side and 45 sts on the other.
Row 4: On first side, bind off 2 sts, p to end of side; on 2nd side, bind off 2 sts, p to end of side – 43 sts on one side and 41 sts on the other.
Row 5: On first side, bind off 3 sts, k to end of side; on 2nd side, bind off 2 sts, k to end of side – 38 sts on one side and 41 sts on the other.
Row 6: On first side, bind off 3 sts, p to end of side; on 2nd side, bind off 2 sts, p to end of side – 38 sts on one side and 36 sts on the other.
Rows 7-14: Rep Rows 3-6 twice – 20 sts on one side and 18 sts on the other.
Row 15: On first side, bind off 2 sts, k to end of side; on 2nd side, bind off 2 sts, k to end of side – 16 sts on one side and 18 sts on the other.
Row 16: On first side, bind off 2 sts, p to end of side; on 2nd side, bind off 1 st, p to end of side – 16 sts on one side and 15 sts on the other.
Row 17: On first side, bind off 3 sts, k to end of side; on 2nd side, bind off 1 st, k to end of side – 12 sts on one side and 15 sts on the other.
Row 18: On first side, bind off 3 sts, p to end of side; on 2nd side, p to end of side – 12 sts on each side.
Row 19: On first side, bind off 2 sts, k to end of side; on 2nd side, k to end of side – 10 sts on one side and 12 sts on the other.
Row 20: On first side, bind off 2 sts, p to end of side; on 2nd side, p to end of side – 10 sts on each side.
Row 21: On first side, bind off 3 sts, k to end of side; on 2nd side, k to end of side – 7 sts on one side and 10 sts on the other.
Row 22: On first side, bind off 3 sts, p to end of side; on 2nd side, p to end of side – 7 sts on each side.
Rows 23-26: Rep Rows 19-22 – at the end of Row 26, 2 sts rem on each side.
Row 27: On first side, bind off all sts; on 2nd side, k to end of side.
Bind off rem 2 sts.

FINISHING
Sew shoulder seams. Sew side seams from armhole markers to top of ribbing, leave side edges of ribbing open for side slits.
Turtleneck
From RS with shorter circular needle, beg at either shoulder seam, pick up and k96 sts evenly spaced around neck edge. Place marker for beg of rnd.Join by working the first st on left hand needle with the working yarn from the right hand needle.
Work in K2, p2 Rib worked in rnds until turtleneck measures about 5 1/2 in. (14 cm).
Bind off.
Armhole Edging
From RS with double pointed needles, pick up and k44 sts evenly spaced around armhole edge. Divide sts onto 4 needles, with 11 sts on each needle. Place marker for beg of rnd. Join by working the first st on left hand needle with the working yarn from the right hand needle.
Work K2, p2 Rib worked in rnds for about 1 in. (2.5 cm).
Bind off.
Rep edging around opposite armhole.
Weave in ends.

  Learn to Knit instructions:  http://www.lionbrand.com/learnToKnit.html