The Design

“It's 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. Whether knit in a humble tweed or luscious alpaca, with a cowl or without, you'll see why this is a Churchmouse favorite!

The Details

FINISHED SIZE
One size: Poncho: 22 x 50"/56 x 127cm, before folding.
Cowl: 24"/61cm around x 8"/20cm tall.

YARN
Poncho with cowl: 9 skeins Blue Sky Fibers Baby Alpaca (110 yds/100m each); shown lower left and center in Color 802.
Or approx. 980 yds/896m of an equivalent dk-weight yarn.
Poncho without cowl: 5 skeins Rowan Felted Tweed (191 yds/175m each); shown lower center and right in Color 172.
Or approx. 840 yds/768 m of an equivalent dk-weight yarn.

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 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.