Pretty Ponchos to Knit

I hate to admit that I’m not a huge fan of ponchos. Every time they come back I cringe a little. If you’re cold, why not just knit a sweater?

But there are some poncho designs that I see and think, well, you know, maybe I could actually knit and wear that.

Looking for more poncho patterns? Check these out on Etsy.

Like the Newsprint Poncho from Lion Brand Yarn. I love the color combination (it’s actually a self-striping yarn!), the stitch pattern, the ease of wearing, the allusion to newspapers. I would knit that, and wear it, too.

The Hayfield poncho from Love Knitting combines classic Aran style with a poncho shape. It’s sized for kids and adults and can be knit with a shawl collar or a turtleneck. And if you use the yarn required, any size takes only one ball of yarn!

Another pretty one from Love Knitting is the Rico poncho, which uses a self-striping yarn and an easy repeating stitch pattern on two panels that are sewn together.

The Welty poncho by Lisa Hoffman for Tahki Yarns (PDF) is a dramatic project with a bold stitch pattern. Worked in two rectangles that are sewn together, stitches are then picked up to knit a circular yoke. Very cool.

And because sometimes its hard to tell where cowl ends and poncho begins, I also submit the Bobble Capelet from Tahki Yarns. This one is a bit of knitting that wraps around the shoulders, sort of like a mini poncho.

Which brings up a good question: how do you define a poncho? Do you like the look? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Looking for more poncho patterns? Check these out on Etsy.

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Scandinavia is known for its sweaters, which usually include colorwork and are worked in muted colors of wool yarn. They’re nothing if not traditional, so giving that garment a modern twist is a fun approach.

Marita Clementz said in her book Knit Modern Scandi Sweaters that she wanted bolder, more colorful designs inspired by nature.

The book opens with a brief overview of needed supplies (plus the yarn she used to make her sweaters, which may be difficult to find in other countries), a discussion of yarn weigh, increasing or decreasing evenly across a project, color dominance, sizing and ease and general sweater construction. All of the garments are worked in the round from the top down, and several include short rows at the neck. She also talks about reading and adjusting charts.

The patterns follow, with lots of pictures and a large copy of the chart. Some of my favorites include Anemone, covered all over with large flowers that remind me of the 1960s; Lofoten, which features colorwork diamonds and is shown in three different colorways with three neckline options; and the cheerful zig-zagged Svalbard, inspired by the mountains and midnight sun of the island of Spitsbergen. I’m not finding the book on Ravelry as I write this but you can see some of the patterns in the preview on Amazon, linked above or the publisher’s website, linked below.

There are lots of floral motifs and geometric designs, and the patterns don’t do a ton of hand holding, so it would be good if you’ve knit a few sweaters before you try these. The skill ratings are on a scale of one to five: six are rated three, four are four and two are level five. (None are rated one or two.)

All the designs have seven sizes, which range in chest circumference from 34 to 53 inches, or 85 to 133 cm. Garments are shown on young adults and men and women (all the author’s family I think).

This book is a lot of fun if you like bold, colorful designs and cozy sweaters with a Scandinavian flair.

About the book: 128 pages, paperback, 12 patterns. Published 2025 by David & Charles. Suggested retail price $24.99.

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