The next design challenge: babywearing poncho!

[pamelamama]

Take a look at this:

http://www.mamaponcho.ch/ponchoinfo_DE.html

After I finish the faux cable collection, hopefully soon, this concept will be my next project. We can design a group of babywearing ponchos for the spring! I've had a request from a babywearing mama, and I think we could do well with these!

Any ideas? How you would want to attack the problem? Design issues?

I have a bunch in my head, but must clothe naked children IRL before I settle into creative indulgences.

[littleturtlemama]

oh, oh, oh, MUST HAVE ONE OF THOSE!!!

Oh my gosh. I love it. love it. I've got a few ideas, going to swatch them ;)

[CraftyMommaOf2]

Shut up! That is awesome!!! Hmm...valley girl kinda morning...

[averymybaby]

:wowza :wowza :wowza

oh my goodness! i can't wait to see what you guys start to come up with. this will be amazing. i will be making one. :crazy

How cool is that?!

[blueskymama]

I want one. Reminds me of the aiska, but nicer... Please come up with the design sooner than spring. Pretty please...

[Linnea]

Nifty!

I think a thicker gauge would be nice. A fast knit. I'd be happy to test knit if you get a pattern worked up!

[Linnea]

If you haven't looked at that page using the Google translator, you really should, it's cute!

Some quotes:

The Mamaponcho is an article of clothing for Mamis , which want to be completely close their babies also in the colder season. It has one projection and two head openings, one for the mummy and one for the small.

I carried mean son since its birth usually in the carrying cloth. When however the days became shorter and above all colder, I found simply no solution, like we to two having beautifully warmly without thereby to look like a "Haerdoepfelsack".

=D

I don't know what a Haerdoepfelsack is, but I sure don't want to look like one!

[littleturtlemama]

I've been obsessed with this design this afternoon, and God is being kind to me with creative inspiration! I've got a full sketch and a skeleton of instructions, knitting up a sample for Ethan's teddy bear to test it out :) Pam, I'm gonna PM you what I've got, LMk what you think!

[CraftyMommaOf2]

Jeez woman! You're fast!!! I too shall volunteer myself as a test knitter if needed ;)

[pamelamama]

Cmon the rest of you design slackers!! Keep up with :theresa if you can!!

Hey, Julia, I think your smilie is giving me the finger. :lol:

[willowsmama]

hmm, may I suggest something looser?I don't need my insulation rolls being visible.lol But a thick, fast knit sounds great.


I also want to test! Please. pretty please.

[littleturtlemama]

helen, the one I'm working up has more flare down the length of the arm that that one (I was thinkign that one looked a little too constrictive, and chasing two big boys, I don't need constrictive!!)

[hunnybumm]

Hey, Julia, I think your smilie is giving me the finger. :lol:
:lmdo

I also would be more than willing to do a tester. I have only knit soaker, pants, hats and mittons, but I am a quick learner and I can teach myself any special stitches. ;)

ETA hmm, would this work with the hip carry? That is all my back can handle with my 23lber.

[Perogi]

I can't wait to see what you all come up with!! I'd love to knit a babywearing poncho! :thumb

[twouglyducks]

I agree, needs to be looser, maybe the type with the points over the arms for more movement. I'll have a 3 and 4.5 yr old next year when it's cooling off... plus a babe that I"m sure I'll have to wear a lot to be able to keep up with all 3 kids. I'd LOVE one of these!!! I don't think it needs to be so shaped, does it? Couldn't it just be a big poncho with two head holes?

[littleturtlemama]

davina, the one i'm working up has the shaping int he back for babe, I like the lookof it and I think having it fitted around babe will help keep warmer. Now, I'm on a yarn hunt, LOL

[pamelamama]

I think maybe so davina! Can't wait to see your design!

[blueskymama]

Maybe make it with sizes? I like the sleek look of it, not too puffy. Thats why I like this one a lot more than the ones gypsymama is selling.

[pamelamama]

http://www.metrocast.net/~hayes/ponchos1.htm

[radish]

super cool! cant wait to see a pattern! :D

the one on the site looks so trim, i cant tell there is a carrier underneath ???

[pamelamama]

I'm afraid of the butt-huggy ness of that one

You notice no photo features her rear. :brow

[littleturtlemama]

i promise, no butt-huggyness on mine, LOL the points will gracefully drape OUT from the butt ;)

I'mthinking sizes too, def don't like the poufy one-size-fits-all of those gypsy ones. Or, I might do a formula where you work on your own measurements to get the best fit for YOU, LOL.

Need yarn suggestions, people!!!

[Linnea]

Wool might be too expensive to knit such a large garment? I'll look through my Woodland Woolworks catalog after dinner. I don't know how people feel about Lion Brand yarns and the like, but they're easy to come by and they have a thick version of Wool Ease.

[StrawberryGirl]

Oh, I'm in love! Thanks Pamela for that link! :mwah I was going to make a sleeker version of the gypsymama poncho but I like this much better. I think for mine, I'll do something with the hole for the baby's head so that I can still wear it if she happens to be out of her pouch. Right now, I'm envisioning a flap on the inside against my chest so that there isn't a gaping hole when she's not in it. Does that make sense? A zipper would bother her neck and buttons...I'm not so sure. hmmm.

[averymybaby]

Cmon the rest of you design slackers!! Keep up with :theresa if you can!!

Hey, Julia, I think your smilie is giving me the finger. :lol:

:lol:

No... this one is giving you the finger :lol: -

Hey, Pam!


:LOL :LOL :LOL

Now sign me up to be a poncho tester too.... please? :brow

[pamelamama]

an attitude like that and she wants to be a tester!! *snort* :moon

[averymybaby]

an attitude like that and she wants to be a tester!! *snort* :moon


:mope :teary

:bighug


;)

[averymybaby]

an attitude like that and she wants to be a tester!! *snort* :moon


:mope :teary

:bighug


;)

[pamelamama]

hahahah!!! Ok, :hug

[mommomrebecca]

But I need one with two head holes! :faint Let's see you hotshot designers solve that :devil

[pamelamama]

two head holes where? front and back?

[Angela_hk_n_knit]

ME TOO ME TOO ME TOO!!!! I would love one of these! Sooner than spring too please!!! I live in OK, and though we don't get a lot of snow usually, it does get COLD and I think this winter is going to be a hard winter!!! So.... anyone ready for a tester?

[marnie]

my yarn suggestion: wool-ease thick and quick (because i have 7 skeins of it sitting around with nothing to become).

[hunnybumm]

Hey, [username:4a60a1a28a]!

:lmdo

[littleturtlemama]

seriosuly, WHAT is htat guy holding up the sign doing?!? Is he really giving the finger, or is he raising his hand?

Pam, I think she meant two heads holes for two babes, LOL ;)

I think I've decided to use Classic Elite Gatsby for my sample, but some yarn subs for it will be cheaper, LOL, like wool ease chunky ;) I just know if I'm goign to be knitting something that big for myself, I better LOVE that yarn, and I love gatsby!

[Lauira]

Ohhh...awesome! Somebody make me one. :) I pay good money! LOL! There is no way in heck I will be able to make one for myself, but I will be first in line to buy! :)

[mommomrebecca]

I meant three holes, for two kids. front and back probably. Maybe the holes could be foldover or zip shut or something in case you were only wearing one babe? :brow

[dandelions2]

Hey, [username:f4c38c14b7]!

:lmdo

You guys are cracking me up. I seriously was lol.


As for the poncho, I'm already so sick of seeing them!! Everyone is wearing them and it's not even that cold yet. I've decided that I'm gonna boycott them (but still sell my pattern on my site). :D

[pamelamama]

I knew what she meant! Hey that pocket idea is kind of neat, pocket closure for head holes. hmmm

[marnie]

As for the poncho, I'm already so sick of seeing them!! Everyone is wearing them and it's not even that cold yet. I've decided that I'm gonna boycott them (but still sell my pattern on my site). :D

i'm irritated about the poncho because 5 years ago i bought an amazing poncho in ireland. and for years people have been looking at me funny as i wore it. now i don't want to wear it because it's too "trendy" and if i go back to it next year it'll be like i'm wearing something out of date.

*sigh*

fortunately it's one of those pieces that you KNOW will last forever so i'll just put it away for a few years.

[Quinlonsma]

AHA!! I see someones been lurking on the Y! group "babywearing" It has been a main topic for the past week and a ahalf. I got a sctech and have started trying to figure out the mechanics of creating a lstraight line opening in a poncho but that's about as far as I got. I definately volunteer for test knitter.

[littleturtlemama]

okay, those who want to test knit for me, and are willing to purchase yarn for it (I'm still debating, but it's between clasic elite bazic, classic elite gatsby, waterspun weekend, and I'm swatchign with lion brand thick and quick cheneille right now (not loving it)) Email me :) I'm probably only going to use one test knitting, cuase I'm doing one and I've got a friend locally who wants to do it as well, so I think three is enough to make sure it's okay :)

[pamelamama]

want
poncho

can't
commit to
testing

aaaarrrggghhh

:faint

[Arwyn]

i'm irritated about the poncho because 5 years ago i bought an amazing poncho in ireland. and for years people have been looking at me funny as i wore it. now i don't want to wear it because it's too "trendy" and if i go back to it next year it'll be like i'm wearing something out of date.

*sigh*

fortunately it's one of those pieces that you KNOW will last forever so i'll just put it away for a few years.

Um. Yea. Tell me about it... I grew up wearing my mom's old ponchos, and everyone thought I was a total freak. Until I started wearing my dad's old cloaks, and they knew it. :arwyn Now I'm just waiting for THOSE to come back in fashion... (Or rather, for reasons you mentioned, not, because it's just not any fun then.)

[marnie]

oh, i used to have a GREAT cloak. wonder what happened to that?

[Arwyn]

Mine (er, my dad's) got worn EVERY DAY by some careless young kid throughout middle- and highschool, and is now rather worn and torn. :hide

Now if only I had the money for enough wool, an extra-time-generator-machine-thingie, and a super-caffienated iv drip... :knit :inthecup

Ok, back to your regularly scheduled baby-wearin'-poncho talk.

My only request is to remember than mamas (and da's!) come in a rather *ahem* large range of sizes. :sheep :fluffo My favorite patterns are those that are really guidelines to design your own custom-fit garment.

[averymybaby]

want
poncho

can't
commit to
testing

aaaarrrggghhh

:faint


ditto :goodgrief

[pamelamama]

You can read this old blog poncho entry...
(with pix!)
http://www.xanga.com/item.aspx?user=pamelamama&tab=weblogs&uid=11365392 4

I have had this poncho since the ?70s? and this year, I am wearing it dammit. xoxo

[pmcgary]

I think a more "poncho-y" look would be easier to design. Wouldn't you need sizes with this one since it is so fitted.

[mhurst]

OH you definitely have to have the pattern done this winter so I can knit one for the spring and the new babe. (and it looks like it will be lengthy knitting :brow )

[littleturtlemama]

well, the skeleton of the design is finished, just waiting for me to pick the right yarn so I can plug in the gauge and such. I finished the teddy bear sample today, so charging digi batteries to snap a pic, it's hysterical.

[BethyM99]

For the impatient...

http://www.metrocast.net/~hayes/sew_poncho.htm

[BethyM99]

For the impatient...

http://www.metrocast.net/~hayes/sew_poncho.htm

[littleturtlemama]

okay, well, Ethan's asleep with the bear this poncho was sized for, so I had to snag a lonely pooh, and it's too long for him, LOL. He's fatter than the other bear, too, so it isn't suppossed to be this tight and fitted ;) But, here's the swatch version of the soon-to-be mama & bebe poncho.
http://www.littleturtleknits.com/images/poohponcho.jpg
and here's a close up of the bebe section shaping:
http://www.littleturtleknits.com/images/ponchoshaping.jpg

Now, someone please just tell me to stop vacillating and just choose a freakin' yarn!!!

[mommomrebecca]

Theresa-
Stop vacillating and choose a freakin' yarn already! :devil

[averymybaby]

:faint :bow :bow :bow

Theresa rocks!

[littleturtlemama]

okay, classic elite bazic wool it is. I think. Heading to the LYS tomorrow to pick up a skein (can you believe there's a yarn I don't actual have in stash here??!?! horrors!)

[pamelamama]

Superwash, very clever!

The bear stuff is awesome!!!

YAY... I can't wait to show Babywearing the prototype!!

[pamelamama]

PLus, are you planning to stock that wool? Where are we going to get it?

[Quinlonsma]

My darling 2yr old son heartily approves! He ran and got his pooh bear. So now you'll HAVE TO include the bear sizes on the pattern.

[willowsmama]

I can see the sizes on Theresa's pattern now - Mama/baby sizes and pooh/piglet sizes.lol

[littleturtlemama]

lol, ethan woke up this morning and saw pooh sitting on top of the computer and said, "I NEED ONE OF THOSE FOR TEDDY"
so now it's gotta be mama/baby, pooh/piglet, and kid/teddy, :LOL

oh, dear!

[mhurst]

well all I have to say is...more knitting, less typing :pink

How chunky is the yarn you picked? It looks pretty chunky (which is a great thing :brow ) Just curious.

and I agree with Pam, are you going to stock the yarn or am I going to have to venture out to my VERY UNFRIENDLY LYS(s)?. (2 out of 3 are run by not very nice people!)

[blueskymama]

Yes, can you tell us the gauge(how many skeins) and what size needles we need? So I can plan ahead and have everything ready when the pattern is out. :pink

[littleturtlemama]

okay, I've decided that the bazic is going to be too expensive for most of us, LOL. It's such a small ball (96 yards) for $6, and the poncho is such a big project, it'll take 12 of those balls!
so, i picked up some wool ease chunky today, going to swatch that and see if i like it :)

[Angela_hk_n_knit]

God Bless You!!!

[littleturtlemama]

isorry, I forgot to answer the needle and skein question, LOL! It's size 11 needles, and if you want to do magic loop in the beginning, you can get away with a 29" or larger circ needle. If you hate magic loop (like me, LOL!) then you'll need a 16" or 24" circ for the beginning, and a larger for the body after the shoulders :)

For yardage, I'm still figuring that out, but I'm thinking it will be 4 skeins for a small/med, and 6 for a large and over.

[Linnea]

Theresa, did you ever finish the pattern for this? I'd love to make one!

[littleturtlemama]

:bag I finished writing the pattern, but not knitting the samples. Got into this whole thing with the chick fromthat stie pam linked above, and she's really nice and we worked out compensationf or her from my pattern, so I just need to finish the stinkin' sample (before spring, LOL!) I think after christmas it'll be priority #1

[Linnea]

Awesome, I can wait until after Xmas! :D Looking forward to knitting a nice poncho for the chilly Springtime! Thanks for all your hard work, you're the best!

[Snowbaby]

Did this get finished?

I'm new here but am eager to make a babywearing poncho. Is it available yet?

[littleturtlemama]

it's not ready quite yet, I've decided to make it an any-gauge, any-yanr pattern so that those who want it to be a lightweight spring/summer thing can do that, and those who want a heavy duty coat-replacer can do that. I got a lot of knitting done on the sample today, cause I'm sick as a dog and laid in bed under 12 blankets most of the day :cry

[Quinlonsma]

AAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwwwww!!!!

GET WELL SOON!! ;heart