1. Cut two 30-inch by 40-inch rectangles of good quality polyester fleece. Plaid is easy to work with because you can use the lines on the fabric as guidelines for cutting. Sizing note: The original Hancock’s pattern uses two 30-inch by 45-inch rectangles. We found the neck hole to be a bit big, and the symmetry was a bit off. However, it does provide a more generous fit than is achieved with our 30 x 40 rectangles. If you experiment with other dimensions, leave a comment telling us about your results!
2. Cut 4-inch squares out of each corner. These are scraps.
3. Lie one rectangle right side down on a flat surface; lie the other rectangle right side up on top of the first one. Imagine a compass in the center of your 2 matched up fabric pieces. This will help you know where to line up, cut and move.
Match the short side of the top piece to the the long side of the other (the bottom right corner, SW, is matched up), like this:
Fabric pieces placed wrong side to wrong side, one horizontally and one vertically.
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(The two rectangles will have their wrong sides touching.)
4. Cutting both pieces at the same time, cut 4-inch long by 1/2 inch wide fringes along the South side. Only cut as far as the short side; the bit left over on the long piece forms part of the collar.
5. Tie the fringes together in double knots, like this:
Tie the fringes on the South side.
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(You can see the bit left over on the long piece (South) that will become the collar.
6. Look at the photo below (from step 3). See the top piece of fabric, running horizontally? Slide that to the left and up. (Again, imagine a compass printed on top of that photo … slide the top piece of fabric to the West and then North, to line up the two Northeast coners.)
The top piece of fabric is horizontal.
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Below you can see the fringed South side has moved, as you line up the 2 Northeast corners.
This is how it looks when you've moved it.
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7. Now cut the fringe and double knot the East side. Again, only cut as far as the short piece of fabric.
The left over piece will become the collar. You will now have 2 flaps in the Southeast corner (the neck hole) that can be left as the collar, or trimmed off.
Ready to knot the fringe on the East side.
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Below you can see the collar/neck opening in the Southeast corner, and the two fringed and knotted sides (South and East), as the Northwest corner has been lined up.
Both seams are now tied. The neck opening is shown in the SE corner. It's time to fringe some more.
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8. As shown in the above picture, lay the poncho flat, matching the two corners together (to form the Northwest corner). Cut a fringe on both the North and West sides/pieces.
The picture below has been turned from the original compass layout, to show how you will wear the finished poncho. The neck opening is now at the top. The two fringed and tied seams run down from the neck opening – the fringed seams are angled, one is on your front and one is on your back. The fringed seams are not located directly on top of your arms; one is on your front and one is on your back, giving the poncho an asymmetrical look.
Rearranged to show how the poncho will be worn. This is now a finished poncho except for the extra neck opening for babywearing.
9. About 6 inches below the neck opening, cut a 10-inch horizontal slit in the top layer of fabric. That’s the baby’s neck opening. Like this:
Cut a slit for the baby's neck opening.
Closeup. Also, you can see the collar folded down at the top of this photo.
And here is how the poncho looks when worn:
Back carry with toddler.
I will never ever forget the amazing letter that a local group member wrote me shortly after we started Magic City Slingers. We helped her wear her baby and, like so many people, babywearing really changed her parenting experience. She wanted to recognize our efforts. She wrote a heartfelt letter of thanks to me and to Kristen (a the time, we were the only group leaders) and gave us each a tote bag and a button from TheBabywearer.com’s CafePress store. Her gift made a deep and lasting impression. 
