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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Some knitting projects are meant to be worn and enjoyed at home, while others are designed for keeping us warm and comfortable in the great outdoors. Knit Wild by Anna-Sofia Vintersol includes 21 sweater patterns made for outdoor exploration, with colorwork motifs that speak to outdoor adventures.

The book opens by talking about the different kinds of wool yarns that are best for keeping you warm outdoors, then dives into the patterns. They are all given in nine sizes but the actual measurements of the sweaters vary depending on the ease built into the design. They are meant to be suitable for both men and women.

The patterns themselves don’t include a lot of details because these sweaters are boxy and worked mostly in stockinette stitch. They indicate how much knitting you should do before working particular charts, which assumes that your row/round gauge is the same as suggested in the pattern, which isn’t always the case (knitters would do well to monitor their row gauge and determine how long each chart will take in their own gauge and adjust as needed).

There are lots on animal motifs in the patterns, including dogs, foxes, bears, turtles and orcas. One pattern, Kitulo, features allover colorwork in a mix and match style of motifs that include birds, alpaca, hearts, crosses and many other options. Check out all the patterns on Ravelry.

Several of the sweaters are shown in varying sizes and colorways so you can see how changing the colors changes the look. There are also sometimes different neckline options, and some patterns give you the option of working pieces flat or in the round with steeks (how to deal with steeks is described in words but there are no tutorials for any knitting techniques in the book).

Some knitters won’t mind this kind of hands off, go your own way approach to sweater knitting, but for those with less confidence these instructions might be intimidating. For those who are comfortable without a ton of hand-holding, these colorful designs should be fun to knit and great to wear on outdoor winter outings.

About the book: 232 pages, hardcover, 21 patterns. Published 2024 by Stackpole Books. Suggested retail price $34.95.

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