This free poncho knitting pattern from Monical Russe is something special. Talk about versatile! Worn over trousers, with a skirt or a dress, the free poncho knitting pattern design is stylish and modern. Choose which way you wear it – as a shrug, a wrap or a poncho. The secret to its adaptability lies in its buttons. Fasten both sides to each other to create a poncho, fasten them at an angle to create a wrap, or join the top and bottom of each side to create a stunning long-sleeved summer shrug.
The free poncho knitting pattern was originally published in Simply Kntting magazine issue 162, and the model was knitted up using Rooster Almerino Aran yarn. This is now discontinued, s may be char to find. We recommend substituting with a different merino-rich aran weight yarn, like Rico Essentials Soft Merino Aran.
Buy Rico Essentials Soft Merino Aran from Lovecrafts
If you are an American knitter and what to explore how this compares to USA yarn weight terms, see our yarn weight conversion charts article. You'll also find more technical help in our knitting for beginners article, or explore our guide to lace knitting.
However you choose to wear it, the free poncho knitting pattern is sure to cause a stir while keeping you cosy and elegant.
Free poncho knitting pattern materials
- Rooster, Almerino Aran (50% baby alpaca, 50% merino wool, 50g/94m) 11 balls of Grape (326) or swap in a different merino-rich aran weight yarn, like Rico Essentials Soft Merino Aran. Buy Rico Essentials Soft Merino Aran from Lovecrafts
- A pair of 5mm needles
- 12 buttons, 20mm wide
Free poncho knitting pattern tension
Yarn used knits as aran to this tension:17 sts and 25 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over pattern using 5mm needles
To learn more about tension and why it is important, see our article on knitting tension squares.
Free poncho knitting pattern measurements
143cm (561/4in) long x 69cm (27in) wide
Abbreviations
The free poncho knitting pattern uses standard UK knitting terms. For a full list see our knitting abbreviations article.
Free poncho knitting pattern chart
Free poncho knitting pattern
Cast on 118 sts using 5mm needles. To adjust the width of the poncho, cast on more sts in multiples of 17. Each 17 st repeat measures 10cm wide.
Rows 1-8 Knit.
Begin pattern as folls:
Row 1 (RS) K8, *k2tog, yo, K1, yo, skpo, K3, yo, skpo, K2, k2tog, yo, K1, yo, skpo; rep from * to last 8 sts, K8.
Row 2 (WS) K8, purl to last 8sts, K8.
Row 3 K8, *k2tog, yo, K1, yo, skpo, K1, k2tog, yo, K1, yo, skpo, K1, k2tog, yo, K1, yo, skpo; rep from * to last 8sts, K8.
Row 4 K8, purl to last 8 sts, K8.
Row 5 K8 * k2tog, yo, K1, yo, skpo, k2tog, yo, K3, yo, skpo, k2tog, yo, K1, yo, skpo; rep from * to last 8 sts, K8.
Row 6 K8, purl to last 8 sts, K8.
Rows 1-6 set pattern.
Work rows 1-6 once more.
Cont in pattern as set, AT THE SAME TIME working buttonholes as folls:
Buttonhole row K2, cast off 2, K3, pattern to end.
Next row Pattern to end, casting on 2 sts over the cast off sts of previous row.
Cont in pattern as set, placing 5 more buttonholes every 20 rows.
When work measures approx 99cm, work buttonholes as folls:
Buttonhole row Patt to last 8 sts, K3, cast off 2, K2.
Next row Pattern to end, casting on 2 sts over the cast off sts of previous row.
Continue in pattern as set until piece measures approx 142cm.
Knit 8 rows.
Cast off.
TO MAKE UP
Weave in all loose ends.
Sew on buttons to correspond with buttonholes and gently block to measurements, following any yarn care instructions on the ball band.
Download the free poncho knitting pattern
We know many knitter prefer to have a printer-friendly version of a pattern that they can easily print to work from, or that they can store on their computer to use in the future. Click to download the free poncho knitting pattern PDF. The PDF is a single A4 page with the free poncho knitting pattern and accompanying photos.
More like the free poncho knitting pattern
We have many more great knitting patterns like the free poncho knitting pattern right here on Gathered. Check out our knit crop top pattern and our baby cardigan knitting pattern. Are you a sock knitter? Try our toe up sock knitting pattern or our cable socks knitting pattern. You might like our best knitting kits round up, too.