The back and front of this poncho are knitted separately, then joined and worked in rounds, so there are no seams in the collar. The yarn is worked on larger needles than usual to make a light, flexible fabric.
Increases and decreases travel the stitches toward the center, creating a pointed edge that is emphasized by the chevron stripes that are made by the color changes in the yarn. The shaping is repetitive, so your fingers will soon learn exactly what to do and you will pick up speed after the first few rows.
You can make the second-size poncho, shown at lower right on page 71, in a week with just an hour of knitting each evening.
ESTIMATED TIME TO COMPLETE
The 2nd size poncho took 7 hours to make.
SIZES
To fit: bust 28 to 32[34 to 38:40 to 44] in. (71 to 81[86 to 97:101.5 to 112] cm)
Actual measurements: across shoulders 20¼[22:25] in. (51[56:63.5] cm);
around lower edge 55[63:71] in. (140[160:180] cm);
length at center front 13¾[13¾:16] in. (35[35:40.5] cm) excluding collar. Figures in square brackets refer to larger sizes; where there is one figure, it refers to all sizes.
YOU WILL NEED
• 3(4:5) x 100 g hanks (approx. 10½[14:17½] oz.) of Noro Iro in shade 26
• pair of size US 11 (8 mm) knitting needles
• size US 10½ (7 mm) circular needle, 16 in. (40 cm) long
GAUGE
17 sts and 14 rows to 4 in. (10 cm) before pressing, 12 sts to 4 in. (10 cm) after pressing, over traveling rib, on size US 11 (8 mm) needles Change needle size, if necessary, to obtain this gauge.
ABBREVIATIONS
beg = beginning; cont = continue; dec = decrease; foll = following; k = knit; kfb = k into front and back of st; patt = pattern; p = purl; pfb = p into front and back of st; RS = right side; skpo = slip 1, k1, pass slipped st over; st(s) = stitch(es); tog = together; [ ] = work instructions in square brackets as directed.
ABOUT THIS YARN
This 75% wool, 25% silk, bulky roving yarn has a hand-spun look. The color mix used here shades dramatically from soft black to hot pink, back to charcoal grey and finally to shades of green. One 100 g (approx. 3½ oz.) hank of Iro has about 131 yds. (120 m), (see page 159 for stockists).
PONCHO
BACK
Cast on 86(98:110) sts.
Row 1 (RS) K2, [p4, k2] to end.
Row 2 P2, [k4, p2] to end. Work in traveling rib.
Row 1 (RS) K1, [kfb, p3, k2tog] 7(8:9) times, [skpo, p2, pfb, k1] 7(8:9) times, k1.
Row 2 P2, [k4, p2] to end.
These 2 rows form traveling rib. Work 28 more rows, ending with a WS row.
Shape shoulders. Row 1 (RS) K1, skpo, p2, k2tog, patt to last 7 sts, skpo, p2, k2tog, k1. 82(94:106) sts.
Row 2 and every WS row rib as set.
Row 3 (RS) K1, skpo, k2tog, patt to last 5 sts, skpo, k2tog, k1. 78(90:102) sts.
Row 5 (RS) K1, skpo, kfb, patt to last 4 sts, k1, k2tog, k1. 76(88:100) sts.
Row 7 (RS) K1, skpo, p3, k2tog, patt to last 8 sts, skpo, p3, k2tog, k1. 72(84:96) sts.
Row 9 (RS) K1, skpo, p1, k2tog, patt to last 6 sts, skpo, p1, k2tog, k1. 68(80:92) sts.
Row 11 (RS) K1, skpo, k1, patt to last 4 sts, k1, k2tog, k1. 66(78:90) sts.
Row 13 (RS) K1, skpo, patt to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 64(76:88) sts.
Row 15 (RS) As Row 7. 60(72:84) sts.
3rd size only. Rows 17–23 Work as given for Rows 9, 11, 13, and 7.
All sizes 60(72:72) sts.
Rib 1 row. Leave sts on a holder.
FRONT
Work as given for back.
TO FINISH
Join side seams.
Collar. Using circular needle, across back neck sts work, * k2 tog, p2, [k2tog, skpo, p2] to last 2 sts, skpo, rep from * across front neck sts. 80(96:96) sts.
Round 1 [K1, p2, k1] to end.
This round forms rib. Rib until collar measures 10¼in. (26 cm). Bind off. Fold collar down. Weave in yarn ends. Press lower edge of poncho only.
TIPS
• Mark the center rib as a reminder to change from increasing and decreasing to decreasing and increasing.
• Sew the seams with right sides upward, using mattress stitch (see page 154), taking 1 stitch in from each edge so that the ribs match perfectly.
• If you want tassels for the fringed edging, you’ll need an extra ball of yarn. Wrap yarn around a piece of cardboard the depth of the fringe and cut one edge. Use a crochet hook to form tassels. Place one tassel at each seam and at each point, and space the remainder evenly.
Ponchos have experienced a revival and are now quite fashionable.
