Hi Debbeeanne,

This should be pretty to do, actually, as long as you pay attention to the stitches. If it were me, I'd do it by picking up one stitch after the first stitch, and before the last stitch.

Basically what you'll do is work the first stitch, pick up a stitch from the row below and working it into the pattern, knit to the last stitch, pick up and work another stitch, then work the last one.

For a nicer edge, try slipping the first stitch of every row. Don't worry, it won't screw up the look of your project Pay attention to what the first stitch should have been (knit or purl), and then work the stitch that you pick up that stitch instead. You'll have to pay attention for the first few rows, but you'll get the hang of it pretty quickly.

If you're not familiar with this method of increase, refer to the site in the link below.

Here is a link that might be useful: Lifted increase (second diagram)

Ok, crazyknitter, I understand a little of this. I am still a somewhat novice knitter for increasing and decreasing, etc. I like the idea of slipping the first stitch.

When I slip a stitch, do I slip it knitwise or purlwise based on the stitch above it?

Could you help me by writing out the first few rows of pattern? I planned to cast on three stitches, and then increase every row. The stitch pattern would be: K1, P1, etc, and the next row would be P1, K1, etc, without the edging.

If you could spell out the first 5 rows, I think I could figure it all out.

For the neck, I had planned to bind off a certain number of stitches and then cast them back on the next row. Then I don't know how to do the decreases, on the way back down.

I would be really grateful for some pattern help.

Thanks!!!!!!!!

OK, I got together with my knitting guru friend, and we figured out a way to do my poncho.

Thanks for the advice!