Contains:
- Knitting pattern for minimalist poncho/cape
- In-progress photos included
- Suitable for advanced beginners
Materials you need at home:
- Approximately 915/1010 m of aran weight yarn. Sample was knit in Cascade Eco Cloud (70% merino/30% baby alpaca)
- 5.5 mm/US 9 needles, or size needed to obtain gauge. You will need a 60 cm or smaller circular to start, and will want at least an 80 cm length as the stitches increase
- A double-pointed needle or second circular needle (any length) in the gauge size or smaller for temporarily holding a small number of stitches
- Stitch markers (see notes in pattern)
- Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
A basic, classic poncho with some little details – a crossed garter collar that can be worn up or down, front shaping that comes to a point, curved back shaping, and side slits for more freedom of movement.
More tailored, less hippy-chic! A poncho for minimalists :)
The suggested yarn gives the perfect amount of drape - if you substitute, look for something that knits to gauge without being too stiff or too loose. A bit of alpaca or silk with wool seems to be a good choice.
Skills required: increasing, simple short rows in garter
Sizes available: S-M (to fit a shoulder circumference up to about 122 cm), M-L (to fit up to about 132 cm). Shoulder circumference is measured around the shoulders with your arms at your sides
Gauge: 16 stitches and 24 rounds to 10 cm of stockinette stitch
Note: Though conversions to the metric system have been made on this page for your convenience, the pattern itself uses American measurements.
Laura Aylor
If ‘knitting designer’ had been one of the job choices for those aptitude tests they give you in high school, I wouldn’t have spent so many years trying to decide what I wanted to be when I grew up. My best subject in high school was math; my best classes in college were logic, drawing, and a commercial art class. After careers in computer programming/analysis and child-rearing, knit design snuck up on me, but I think it’s the perfect use of my odd skill set! I love every step of the process, from figuring out how to actually make what I’ve envisioned to putting the finishing touches on a pattern, not to mention all the knitting that comes in between!
I also love reading and hiking and spending time on Brier Island in Nova Scotia every summer.