Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

Knit a Cozy Poncho with a Pretty Lace Panel

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I’m not really a fan of what we would traditionally call a poncho, that big triangular fabric with a hole at the tops that’s straight out of the 1970s. They never seen to fit well or look flattering and it feels like a lot of work for a project I’d probably never wear. I made one for my daughter when she was a toddler and it was super cute on her, but I added more shaping than is traditionally done on a poncho, too. 

The good news is there are more refined versions of garments we might still call a poncho but that don’t really look like their ’70s sisters. 

Like Ashmont. This free pattern from Berroco is a rectangular poncho (maybe slightly more accurately called a ruana, but they call it a poncho so let’s go with it) with a pretty lace panel running down the front and back. And instead of that big hole at the top commonly found on a poncho, this one has a turtleneck, which helps it to stay on the body. 

The project calls for Berroco Mercado, a bulky Peruvian wool, but any bulky yarn with good stitch definition would do. 

Designed by Åsa Buchta, this pattern comes in four sizes, ranging in width (across the front) from 28 to 40 inches (that’s about 71 to 101.6 cm) so you can choose the amount of ease you would like in the garment. 

The armhole edges are worked in ribbing and left open, though you could sew them together, leaving an armhole opening, if you’d like this more as a vest or sweater style than a poncho. The pretty lace pattern is both written and charted in the pattern, but it’s pretty easy to knit either way. And if you’ve never knit lace in a bulky yarn before, that difference in scale is a lot of fun. 

Learn more about the pattern and grab a free copy if you want to make it from Berroco. 

[Photo: Berroco]

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Pencil Knitting Patterns

Getting ready for back to school makes me think about pencil crafts, so let’s take a look at some pencil themed knitting patterns! 

I recently made a pencil on a circular knitting machine, and it was a fun, quick, easy project that uses little bits of leftover yarn (and if you don’t have yellow you can make it a colored pencil using whatever color’s your favorite). And if you want to make a bigger version check out this pattern from Orange Olive Road on Etsy.

If you want to knit a pencil pillow by hand, check out Sketchy, available on Ravelry from Shana S. Cohen. This one uses worsted weight yarn and has two size options and the choice to make a pencil with an eraser or a colored pencil. 

Pencil scarves seem to be the most popular kind of pencil knitting pattern, and there are lot of cute ones. This one from Cosy Craft UK mostly uses garter stitch, with some welts to add texture and what looks like an I-cord edging. It calls for DK weight yarn. 

If you want to go all garter stitch try this version from Emsley Co Creations, which uses five colors of DK weight yarn and just a little shaping to make the point of the pencil.

There’s also this fun, mostly stockinette so it looks like it curls a bit, pencil pattern that looks like it’s worked in chunky yarn from Little Knits Studio. This one uses just a little garter stitch and easy shaping for the point. 

If you don’t want a pencil scarf, how about some pencil socks? The No. 2 Pencil Socks from The Yarn Enabler are available from Ravelry and use five colors of sock yarn. They feature wide ribs to mimic the texture of a pencil and have options to be worked from the top down or the toe up. 

Needs Sharpening by Alexander Walker is a free pattern on Ravelry that uses five colors of sock yarn to make a sort of shortie sock. The little bit of black at the tips of the toes inspired the name. These, too, can be worked in either direction and are available in three sizes.