The Design
“Like a really elegant sweatshirt.”
Our favorite poncho transcends the trends. It’s easy to knit (just one long stockinette rectangle), easy to finish, and easy to throw on. Knit with a cowl or without, you’ll see why this is a Churchmouse favorite!
We’ve knit our Easy Folded Poncho in Rowan —one of our favorite yarns of all time. This fiber is on the finer side of DK-weight and blends merino wool with alpaca and viscose. As a result, it has softness and spring, drape and luster—and so many beautiful color options!
The Details
FINISHED SIZE
Poncho: 22 x 50"/56 x 127cm, before folding.
Original Cowl Neck: 24"/61cm around by 8"/20cm tall.
Note: Although the original poncho fits nearly everyone, adding sleeves pulls the fabric together under the arms and constrains the size a little—it should fit up to a 42" bust with ease.
YARN
Poncho without cowl (shown): 5 skeins (191 yds/175m each); shown in color 172 Ancient.
Or approx. 840 yds/768 m of an equivalent DK-weight yarn.
Poncho with cowl (not shown): 6 skeins (191 yds/175m each).
NEEDLES & NOTIONS
US 6 (4mm) needles, or size to obtain gauge; plus 2 sizes larger for binding off.
16–24"/40–60cm circular needle in gauge size for optional cowl.
Size H (5mm) or larger crochet hook for provisional cast-on.
Blocking wires.
GAUGE
20 sts/27 rows= 4"/10cm in stockinette stitch, wet-blocked and steam pressed.
KNITTER'S NOTES
When a garment is as simple and restrained as this, details are very important. The gauge and drape of your knitted fabric is as important a design element as the finished dimensions. Take the time to wet block your swatch and apply an especially critical eye to the feel of the fabric.
And while we say in the pattern that it is optional, we highly recommend the provisional cast-on. On your finished poncho, cast-on and bound-off edges of your knitting will end up forming one continuous edge. We believe the best way to ensure a consistent tension across this edge is to have each edge be a bound-off edge. Using a provisional cast-on allows you to do this.
