Crochet Pattern Help or Replacement?

Hi All!

I'm definitely a newbie so I'm wondering if I just bit off more than I
could chew. I have been told my crocheting is good (even chains and I'm
picking up terminology well, at least I thought) and have done some hats
and scarves and coasters so far. I wanted to make a poncho for my three
year old and thought this pattern was awesome looking.

Pattern - http://www.bellaonline.org/articles/art6057.asp

or here - http://www.medidit.com/free/cpon.html

So I got my three skeins of Caron Simply Soft and started the beginning
chain. Then I did three dc and stopped. The pattern just doesn't make
sense to me.

So should I chuck it and find another?

I really would like to make a poncho for my daughter but now I'm
wondering if I'm trying something too hard. I tend to have that aha
moment with things when I can 'see' how things work and I'm ok. With
this pattern I'm just stumped. And feeling dumb.

I'm ok if someone tells me to try another pattern. I just want something
simpler that I can finish for her as it's starting to get cool (Florida).

Thanks again everyone!

Wendy
remove the ferret to email me.