Whip up a warm poncho for the little one in your life. They’re quick, they’re cute, and they’re surprisingly easy to knit too! Plus, ponchos are practically the perfect accessory to have on hand for the weather transition from winter to spring. That’s why you are sure to love these 25 knit ponchos for babies and children!
You may notice that some of the patterns for knit ponchos for babies and children are called by different names. Some designers use the terms “capes”, “capelets”, or “ponchettes”. At their essence, these patterns are all considered to be ponchos. So don’t let the differing names confuse you!
So how do you knit a poncho anyway? Some ponchos are knit in the round (like a sweater without sleeves) and some ponchos are knit flat in back and forth rows. The good news is that the majority of the knit ponchos for babies and children on this list are fairly easy to knit. So beginners and TV knitters will be in free knitting pattern bliss!
And for the poncho knitting pros out there, we’ve got a few more intricate designs. Complicated colorwork and cablework will really help you stretch your knitting skills and challenge yourself. After all, any day is a good day to take the opportunity to learn a new stitch or a new knitting technique!
One more quick note, the picture that you have in your head of knit ponchos for babies and children probably isn’t correct. If you are thinking of something old-fashioned then you are on the wrong track! Many of these free knitting patterns are really quite modern, and any baby or child would be lucky to receive one. Scroll down and see all of this knitting goodness for yourself!
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The Best Knit Ponchos for Babies and Kids
1. Easy Kids Hooded Poncho
You might think that knit ponchos for babies and children are all feminine, but they certainly don’t have to be. The Easy Kids Hooded Poncho can be enjoyed by both boys and girls. The beginner-friendly design calls for stockinette and garter stitch worked in rows. The relaxed fit requires very little shaping, so you’ll find the construction is quite straightforward.
Designer: Gina-Michele
Yarn: Lion Brand Comfy Cotton Blend (Worsted Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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2. Baby Dove
The new baby will be as pretty as a picture in the Baby Dove poncho from DROPS Design. The clean white color and the decorative cablework make this design nice enough to be worn for a special occasion. A cozy cap and a simple pair of socks complete the look (both of these designs are also available on the same page as the poncho).
Designer: DROPS Design
Yarn: Garnstudio DROPS Merino Extra Fine (DK Weight #3)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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3. Little Bee Capelet
Sweet stripes in black, white and yellow mimic the sweet shades of the humble bumblebee. The Little Bee Capelet uses garter stitches for texture and slip stitches for easy colorwork (no fair isle colorwork experience is needed, since you only have to work with a single color of yarn at a time).
Designer: Yumiko Sakurai
Yarn: Cascade Yarns 220 Superwash (Worsted Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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4. Just Me and Mom Ponchos
Imagine all of the wonderful photo opportunities you will have when you knit up this mommy and me poncho set. Matching accessories are the perfect way to mark special occasions like birthdays. The basic design has a straightforward construction. The only thing that beginner knitters may have issues with is grafting the stitches for the hood. But you won’t know unless you try!
Designer: Patons
Yarn: Patons North America Shetland Chunky (Bulky Weight #5)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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5. Hugs & Kisses Ponchette
While most knit ponchos for babies and children are designed for the colder months, the Hugs & Kisses Ponchette is designed for the warmer months. The design is knit using basic stitches and a yarn that resembles the terry cloth material of a towel. It’s just the thing to throw on a cold baby after they’ve finished playing in the water.
Designer: Kathy Wesley
Yarn: Red Heart Baby Teri Solid (Aran Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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6. Downtown Tot Poncho
Beginners and TV knitters alike will love the sweet simplicity of the Downtown Tot Poncho. Slap two garter stitch rectangles together, add some fabulous fringe and you’re done! The best part is that the project works up very quickly thanks to the bulky weight yarn. It might almost take you longer just to decide what color to make it in.
Designer: Lion Brand Yarn
Yarn: Lion Brand Color Waves (Bulky Weight #5)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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7. One Piece Hooded Poncho
Behold the One Piece Hooded Poncho. Knit in garter stitch, you’ll find that the design isn’t far off from a dishcloth pattern that’s knit from corner to corner. The straightforward construction along with the thick yarn that makes it easy to see your stitches combine to make a pattern for knit ponchos for babies and children that is very beginner friendly.
Designer: 5 Monkeys Menagerie
Yarn: Lion Brand Homespun Thick & Quick (Bulky Weight #5)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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8. Sweet Pea Poncho
The Sweet Pea Poncho certainly lives up to its name! The long color changes and the girly silhouette make this design an instant classic. The pattern is knit in stockinette stitch in the round from the top down. The fun ruffled edging along the bottom of the poncho is knit in textured garter stitch.
Designer: Tamara Moots for Cascade Yarns
Yarn: Cascade Yarns ® 220 Superwash® Wave (Worsted Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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9. Sweet Sunrise Poncho
Cake yarns take all the guesswork out of color matching and save you time otherwise spent on weaving in extra ends. Of course, the best part about knitting with cake yarns is the beautiful gradual fade between the colors. You can really capture the awe-inspiring essence of a sunset with this spectacular poncho design. It’s knit in stockinette stitch in the round from the top down.
Designer: Shannon Dunbabin for Cascade Yarns
Yarn: Cascade Yarns ® Cartwheel (Bulky Weight #5)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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10. Girl’s Fringed Poncho
Have you heard the good news? Fringe has been making a big comeback lately. What was once retro is now totally on trend! It certainly looks fantastic featured here in the Girl’s Fringed Poncho. The pattern is knit in the round from the neck down using reverse stockinette stitch. A crochet hook comes in handy for attaching the fringe.
Designer: Heather Lodinsky for Lion Brand
Yarn: Lion Brand Heartland (Aran Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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11. Huggy Bear Cape
Soft and fluffy Bernat Pipsqueak yarn feels great against a baby’s skin and it’s very warm too. Of course, the fluffy factor also lends itself quite well to designs with whimsical bear ears like this one. The construction is similar to a round yoke sweater knit from the top down. The hood and the body of the poncho are worked as one piece and the ears are knit separately.
Designer: Bernat Design Studio
Yarn: Bernat Pipsqueak (Bulky Weight #5)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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12. Hermione
The next one of our knit ponchos for babies and children looks like something right out of a storybook. Textured zig zags and bobble stitches add a playful aspect to the design and they make the knitting more interesting too. The design is knit in the round from the bottom up all in one piece.
Designer: DROPS Design
Yarn: Garnstudio DROPS Symphony (Worsted Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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13. Little Girl Butterfly Poncho
This pretty lace poncho is knit from the bottom up in the round. The eyelet lace butterfly design is also present on the back of the poncho (this makes the front and the back identical, so you don’t have to worry about putting it on backwards by mistake). Just make sure to keep your bind off loose so the poncho fits comfortably over the head.
Designer: SunFunLiving
Yarn: Cascade Yarns ® 220 Superwash® Sport (DK Weight #3)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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14. Poncho with Polo Collar
Not all single color designs for knit ponchos for babies and children are so simple. This design features decorative rings of texture in the shapes of trees, diamonds, and latticework. Special stitches include “PYSO” which means to pass the yarn forward over the last 2 stitches. And, of course, the star of the show is the cute and cozy polo collar.
Designer: Panda Yarns
Yarn: Panda Woolbale (DK Weight #3)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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15. Hooded Baby Poncho
The Hooded Baby Poncho resembles a short sleeved sweater complete with kangaroo pocket and hood. Although it is probably easier to put on a wiggly baby than a sweater! The pattern uses mainly stockinette stitch, although garter stitch is also used for edging along the sides, collar, pocket, and hood.
Designer: Lion Brand Yarn
Yarn: Lion Brand Cotton-Ease 50/50 (Aran Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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16. Summer Poncho for Kids
Keep things easy and breezy with this Summer Poncho for Kids from Hobbii. The pattern is knit in the round from the top down using knit and purl stitches along with basic increases and easy eyelet lace. The lacework helps keep things light so your kiddo won’t get overheated when the weather warms up.
Designer: Sys Fredens for Hobbii
Yarn: Cotton Kings Sultan Deluxe (Sport Weight #3)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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17. Poncho and Cowl
What a cute combo! The front and back of this poncho design are worked separately using stockinette stitch with a built in garter stitch before. They’re seamed along the top and a button is added on either side to make the armhole opening. The cowl is worked separately. Everything is worked flat in back and forth rows, so it’s really very beginner friendly.
Designer: Lisa Carnahan for Lion Brand
Yarn: Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick & Quick Tweeds (Super Bulky Weight #6)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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18. Girl’s Poncho
You never have to wonder, “does this color go with that color” when you use cake yarn for your knitting project. Effortless color changes and expertly matched colors are at your fingertips with the super bulky cake yarn used for this girls’ poncho. The pattern is knit in the round in stockinette stitch.
Designer: Plymouth Yarn Design Studio
Yarn: Plymouth Yarn Encore Mega and
Plymouth Yarn Mega Cakes (Super Bulky Weight #6)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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19. Sweet Tooth Poncho
The Sweet Tooth Poncho is knit in the round from the top down starting with a band of garter stitch around the neck and then continuing on with stockinette stitch throughout the rest of the pattern. The oversized fit makes it easy to wear and the adorable ruffle along the bottom adds a certain playfulness that kids will love.
Designer: Premier Yarns Design Team
Yarn: Premier Yarns Candy Shop (Aran Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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20. Lolo Poncho
The Lolo poncho is like something straight out of a story book! The pattern uses mainly stockinette stitch along with seed stitch and cable braids for decorative accents. The hood has a cute and fluffy tassel and the front of the poncho has an adorable little 3 button closure at the top like a polo shirt.
Designer: Noura Knitting
Yarn: Nako Elit Baby (DK Weight #3)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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21. Girl’s Poncho
The next one of our knit ponchos for babies and children is all about the texture. The yarn has little nubbins of different colors that add a delightful layer of dimension to this picture perfect poncho. The pattern is worked flat in 2 pieces using stockinette stitch with a built in garter stitch border on either side.
Designer: Plymouth Yarn Design Studio
Yarn: Nako Kar Tanesi Baby (Aran Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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22. Baby Gaga
Just look at this stylish poncho! I wish that it came in my size. The design features a mock turtleneck and side vents for ease of wear. You’ll be using stockinette stitch for this pattern along with rib stitch for the edging. Combine the basic construction with the bulky weight yarn and you should have this knitting project done in no time.
Designer: Marcella’s
Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Chunky (Bulky Weight #5)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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23. Girl’s Poncho
Here’s another shining example of knit ponchos for babies and children made with colorful cake yarn. This pattern is knit in the round in stockinette stitch. It is accented with a decorative band of garter stitch down the center. The thing that stands out the most to me is the cozy mock neck collar.
Designer: Plymouth Yarns Design Studio
Yarn: Plymouth Yarn Hot Cakes (Worsted Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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24. Little Peach Poncho
Hooded poncho styles are just so precious. The hood adds an extra layer of warmth and it also really increases the cuteness factor. Plus, the Little Peach Poncho also comes with a free knitting pattern for booties to match. The pattern is knit in stockinette stitch with garter stitch accents.
Designer: DROPS Design
Yarn: Garnstudio DROPS Eskimo and Garnstudio DROPS Snow
and Garnstudio DROPS Wish (Super Bulky Weight #6)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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25. Basic Children’s Poncho
The bright speckles of color in this yarn remind me of sprinkles on a birthday cake! This basic children’s poncho features a simple rolled neckline, a stockinette stitch body, and a garter stitch edging. Rather than trying to conceal the shaping, the pattern makes use of visible increases to form an attractive line down the center.
Designer: Shaina Bilow
Yarn: Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Worsted Multi (Aran Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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What a wonderful group of knit ponchos for babies and children! I know that it’s a difficult choice to make, but did you have a favorite pattern from this list? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
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I’ll see you next week for another free knitting pattern round-up. Make sure to follow the blog so you never miss a post. <3
Happy Knitting!
Amanda
