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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Not too long ago my daughter and I had a discussion about what a chestnut really looks like. The nut itself is small and brown, of course, but on the tree they’re covered with this weird kind of spiky, kind of fuzzy shell. It’s a wonder anyone ever figured out they were edible.

If you didn’t know that, you might wonder why this project is call Chestnut balaclava, but now you know.

This fun design from Yevheniia Pyroh is covered with spikes just like a chestnut shell, and is even the same color, though of course you can make yours whatever color you like. It uses two strands of fingering weight yarn held together (which it says is fingering weight but you could try a light/DK yarn and see if you get gauge with it if you’d rather).

There are two different design options in the pattern. One is a more fitted balaclava style hat (it doesn’t cover the face but does go around the neck) and a looser fit hood.

It’s worked primarily in garter stitch, with shaping done by knitting and purling in the same stitch and through various decreases (including a knit 3 together).

The pattern is charted but also explained in words. It’s worked flat to the size you want, and then joined into a hood shape with ribbing at the neck. The opening for the face is finished with I-cord.

This hood/balaclava would definitely be a conversation starter and in different colors it might read more dinosaur than chestnut, which could also be fun. The sizing is totally custom so you can make it fit whatever head you’re stitching for.

If you want to try it for yourself (and I’d love to hear about it if you do!) you can download the free pattern from Ravelry.

[Photo: Yevheniia Pyroh]

Balaclava Knitting Patterns

Colorwork Balaclava Knitting Pattern [Knitting]

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