Merrilees and Lulu

A little poncho is the perfect summertime cover-up for tiny tots and mum will be thrilled that she won't have to fight to get wriggling arms into any sleeves. Feather and fan is a great vintage stitch that is still so popular. It seems a bit fiddly at first, but you'll soon get the hang of it. The beret completes the set and will see your little one through into the autumn.

(both alike)
Using 3.25mm needles and yarn A cast on 142 (166, 190) sts
❒ Row 1: k71 (83, 95), pm, k to end
❒ Row 2: k71 (83. 95), sm, k to end Beg patt as folls:
❒ Row 1: k to two sts before marker, k2tog, sm, skpo, k to end
❒ Row 2: p
❒ Row 3: k to two sts before marker, k2tog, sm, skpo, k to end
❒ Row 4: p
❒ Row 5: k1, * [k2tog] twice, [yfwd, k1] three times, yfwd, [skpo] twice, k1 *, rep from * to * to eight sts before marker, [k2tog] twice, [yfwd, k1] twice, k2tog, sm, skpo, [k1, yfwd] twice, [skpo] twice, k1, rep from * to * to end
❒ Row 6: k to two sts before marker, p2, sm, p2, k to end Change to yarn B
❒ Row 7: as Row 1
❒ Row 8: p
❒ Row 9: as Row 1
❒ Row 10: p
❒ Row 11: k1, * [k2tog] twice, [yfwd, k1] three times, yfwd, [skpo] twice, k1 *, rep from * to * to five sts before marker, k2tog, yfwd, k1, k2tog, sm, skpo, k1, yfwd, skpo, k1, rep from * to * to end
❒ Row 12: as Row 6 Change to yarn C
❒ Row 13: as Row 1
❒ Row 14: p
❒ Row 15: as Row 1
❒ Row 16: p
❒ Row 17: k1, * [k2tog] twice, [yfwd, k1] three times, yfwd, [skpo] twice, k1 *, rep from * to * to two sts before marker, k2tog, sm, skpo, k1, rep from * to * to end
❒ Row 18: as Row 6 Change to yarn D
❒ Row 19: as Row 1
❒ Row 20: p
❒ Row 21: as Row 1
❒ Row 22: p
❒ Row 23: k1, * [k2tog] twice, [yfwd, k1] three times, yfwd, [skpo] twice, k1 *, rep from * to * to 11 sts before marker, [k2tog] twice, [yfwd, k1] twice, yfwd, skpo, k1, k2tog, sm, skpo, k1, k2tog, yfwd, [k1, yfwd] twice, [skpo] twice, k1, rep from * to * to end
❒ Row 24: as Row 6 These 24 rows form patt and stripe sequence
❒ Rep these 24 rows 2 (3, 3) times more, then Rows 1-12 1 (0, 1) more time. 58 (70, 82) sts Change to yarn C (A, C)
❒ Next row: k1, skpo, k to two sts before marker, k2tog, sm, skpo, k to last three sts, k2tog, k1
❒ Rep last row 3 (4, 5) more times. 42 (50, 58) sts
❒ Cast off to two sts before marker, k2tog, cast off st, remove marker, skpo, cast off to end

Weave in all ends. Sew side seams. Press according to ball band instructions

Using 3mm needles and yarn A cast on 96 (100, 106) sts
❒ Row 1: * k1, p1, rep from * to end This row forms 1x1 rib
❒ Work six rows in 1x1 rib

❒ Next row (WS, inc): [k1, m1] twice, * k2, m1, rep from * to last two sts, k1, m1, k1. 145 sts

❒ Next row (WS, inc): * k1, m1, [k2, m1] three times, rep from * to last two sts, k1, m1, k1. 157 sts

❒ Next row (WS, inc): k4, m1, * k2, m1, rep from * to last two sts, k2. 157 sts

Change to 3.25mm needles and yarn B Beg patt as folls:
❒ Rows 1-4: beg with a k row work four rows in st st
❒ Row 5: k1, * [k2tog] twice, [yfwd, k1] three times, yfwd, [skpo] twice, k1, rep from * to end
❒ Row 6: k Change to yarn C
❒ Rep Rows 1-6 Change to yarn D
❒ Rep Rows 1-6 Change to yarn A
❒ Rep Rows 1-6
❒ Rep last 24 rows once more, then first 0 (6, 12) rows once more SHAPE CROWN Change to yarn B (C, D)
❒ Next row (dec): k1, * k2, skpo, k4, k2tog, k2, rep from * to end. 121 (131, 131) sts
❒ P one row
❒ Next row (dec): k1, * k2, skpo, k2, k2tog, k2, rep from * to end. 97 (105, 105) sts
❒ P one row
❒ Next row: k1, * k1, k2tog, yfwd, k1, yfwd, skpo, k2, rep from * to end
❒ K one row Change to yarn C (D, A)
❒ Next row (dec): k1, * k1, skpo, k2, k2tog, k1, rep from * to end. 73 (79, 79) sts
❒ P one row
❒ Next row (dec): k1, * skpo, k1, k2tog, k1, rep from * to end. 49 (53, 53) sts
❒ P one row
❒ Next row (dec): k1, * skpo, k2tog, rep from * to end. 25 (27, 27) sts
❒ K one row
❒ Next row (dec): k1, * k2tog, rep from * to end. 13 (14, 14) sts
❒ K one row
❒ Next row (dec): k1 (0, 0), * k2tog, rep from * to end. 7 (7, 7) sts Break yarn, thread through rem sts, pull up tightly and fasten off, leaving a long length for sewing up

Weave in all ends. Sew centre back seam LK

Click any of the images below to see a larger, clearer shot

To fit age (mths): 6-12 (12-18, 18-36)
Merrilees Length at side seam (cm): 23 (25.5, 28)
Lulu Head circumference (cm): 46 (47, 49)