What about "Square" ponchos?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by P. Jeanne Haessler on October 25, 2009 at 10:37am

Well, that's the thing, to not be afraid to share any ideas that come along! The point of making the blankets was so the kids would be warmer at night and kids love cuddling up in blankets, they're a bit like a warm hug. Ponchos have their place alright. I hadn't thought of them as they're open at the sides and not so warm due to that and warmth is what we're currently going for. Still the idea might have some merit for specific projects in the future, I will also wait and see on this one what others say. Good for that lady on thinking "outside the box". As Karen says, keep the ideas coming and we'll toss them against the wall and see what ones "stick".

--Jeanne :)

Permalink Reply by Karen on October 25, 2009 at 6:50pm

I completely agree Jeanne .
YAY for you Diane for being part of "make a difference day. And double YAY for chatting up KAS.
I think the poncho idea is good and we will want to definitely keep it up on our "wall" and find the
best use for it !!!
Thanks Diane for sharing !!
You can ALWAYS bring ideas here !!!!

Permalink Reply by Elizabeth on October 25, 2009 at 11:09pm

Girl guide blankets are often old woolen blankets (mine is an old grey one) with badges sewn on and a hole cut in the middle.

The 'hole' in the middle is like a cross - the catch is to make sure you don't cut it too big. I'm just worried about the weight pulling it down (on the knitted/ crocheted squares). It might work with felted squares. And you're right - I love cuddling down into my banket pocnho on a cold camping night, so I guess it wold be very comforting for the orphan kids, too.

Permalink Reply by Anne Powell on October 26, 2009 at 1:16am

The idea of the kids needing something to keep them warm when NOT sleeping is right on. However I agree with Elizabeth that the weight of the blanket might "pull it down" and I also worry that blankets large enough to keep the kids snuggly at night will drag on the ground - get tripped over and/or stepped on and ripped.

For sure there is a need for a warm outer garment for these little ones and that is why we designed the GO-OVER. Anyone not familiar with these, might want to check the discussion group "Let's keep the big Kids Warm too" - it's under GO-OVER in the forum Categories list.

This is a simple, bulky garment - designed to 'go over' whatever other clothes the child has. It is designed so that it will fit the child for several years and because it is roomy and comfortable, it can even be slept in on very cold nights. There are instructions for the two basic sizes - the most useful size might be the one made using four 10" squares for the front and back. This makes a G-O that will fit sizes 8 to 14. The smaller size using 8" squares for the body, will fit 4 to 6 year olds.

Anyone who can knit or crochet a square can make one of these - they are that simple!

Several photos of GO-OVERS already made and sent can be found in the Photo section under albums - GO-OVER VARIATIONS.

On the "Wish List" we are showing a need for 500 GO-OVERS - hopefully many of you will try these - they are really fun to make and there is lots of scope for your own creative ideas in terms of colour and pattens.

Permalink Reply by P. Jeanne Haessler on October 26, 2009 at 3:26am

And might I add that a few extra rows knitted or crocheted onto the bottom hem of a Go-Over turns it into a longer tunic that covers the bum and saves more body heat too. :)

Permalink Reply by Sylvia Vannelli on October 26, 2009 at 6:13am

Anne I've been thinking about these go-overs for a while and plan to make one when I've finished the current batch of squares. But I can't get my head round the size. I am 5'2" tall and proportionately shorter than average between arm pits and waist but anything 20 inches long would be far too short for me. Surely many of the 14 year olds would be at least 5'2". Couldn't Jeanne's idea of a bit on the bottom hem be added to the standard pattern.

Permalink Reply by Joyce C. Johnson on October 26, 2009 at 9:10am

How about making rectangles - 8 10"x12" or 4 10"x22" or 24" or whatever length you need to make the length you want the body of the Go-Over to be. Sleeves can also be adjusted to whatever length needed.

Permalink Reply by Anne Powell on October 26, 2009 at 10:17am

Sylvia - if you want to see how this size looks on both an eight year old and on a 5'2" teenager, check out the photos in the GO-OVER album. There is a double photo there of the same GO-OVER on both my grandson and my grandaughter. Of course you can make it longer if you wish - these are suggested dimensions only. The most important thing about the G-O in my mind is that the armholes be roomy enough - if they are too snug. they will be uncomfortable over sweatshirts and the kids won't want to wear them. The same applies to the neck hole which is why the top 4" of the front squares is left open. As far as sleeve length goes - you will notice that the effect of the G-O is a dropped shoulder so sleeves do not need to be too long. For the younger kids they can be rolled up if they are too long.

Permalink Reply by Anne Powell on October 26, 2009 at 10:26am

I just went back and looked at that photo - on Katie, the 10" squares went well below her waist and she is 5'2"... as you can see - on Brian it is considerably longer. Personally. I would hesitate to make them too long - they are meant to fit all kids from 8 to 14 and an attempt to cover the bottom of a 14 year old might make it way too long for an 8. Hopefully a child will get one of these while he is 8 or 9 and be able to wear it for several years - there is lots of "growing into" room.

However - there is no right or wrong when it comes to GO-OVERS..... so you can adapt it anyway you like.

Permalink Reply by Liz Connelly on October 26, 2009 at 10:39am

that sounds grate especially for other children
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