Ponchos are great first garments for new knitters because they don’t require you to be very exact with your gauge to make sure it fits. It’s bigger than those first few scarf and dishcloth projects but not quite as daunting as knitting a well-fitting sweater. In this article we’ll look at these twelve different poncho knitting patterns for beginners.
- Mountain Capelet from Purl Soho
- Olive from Berroco
- Seeded Stripes Poncho from Mary Maxim
- Warm Quick Poncho by Takako Takiguchi
- Princeton Capelet from Blue Sky Fibers
- Margo Poncho by Elizabeth Smith
- Easy Folded Poncho from Churchmouse Yarns
- Shoulder Cozy from Churchmouse Yarns
- Bianca Wrap from Blue Sky Fibers
- Ponchetta by Elizabeth Smith
- Haven by Holli Yeoh
- Rodeo Drive Poncho by Staci Perry
Each of the ponchos (I’ve also included some caplets in this list as well – they both have similar easy constructions that are great for newer knitters) use just basic stitch patterns that beginners can use to further their skills. Before you tackle one of these projects you should know how to knit, purl, cast on, bind off, and perhaps work an increase and decrease or two.
If you’re ready to start a pattern right away, I’ve included some yarn recommendations as well.
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Mountain Capelet
The Mountain Capelet from Purl Soho is a fabulous, chunky knit that’s great for new knitters who are ready to tackle something new. It’s worked in the round with large yarn so it’s a quick knit. Along with the basics, you’ll also need to know how to join and knit in the round and work a k2tog and SSK.
Get the pattern: Mountain Capelet
Recommended yarn: Purl Soho Gentle Giant
Olive
The Olive poncho from Berroco is a great way to really practice a basic K4P4 rib. It’s just one large rectangle that is seamed together to create the poncho shape. So along with the basic skills new knitters should know before tackling this pattern, this is a good way to practice seaming (something you’ll definitely need to know how to do when you start knitting garments).
Get the pattern: Olive
Recommended yarn: Berroco Vintage
Seeded Stripes Poncho
The Mary Maxim Seeded Stripes poncho is another great textured option – this time in a Seed stitch pattern. It also includes a section of rib along one edge. It’s worked in one long piece (and in alternating colors – so you’ll practice joining new yarns as you switch between the coloured sections) and then two edges are seamed together to create the poncho shape. So this is another great option to practice some basic stitch patterns as well as learning how to seam knit garments.
Get the pattern: Seeded Stripes Poncho
Recommended yarn: Knit Picks Brava Worsted
Warm Quick Poncho
The Warm Quick Poncho by Takako Takiguchi is a top-down construction. So this would be a great introduction to learning how a top-down sweater can be created using increases and a twisted rib for the collar and bottom of the poncho. It would also be easy to lengthen or shorten to your desired length.
Get the pattern: Warm Quick Poncho
Recommended yarn: Debbie Bliss Piper
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Princeton Capelet
The Princeton Capelet from Blue Sky Fibers features a sophisticated, oversized cowl neck. This piece is worked bottom up, so you cast on for the full width and then work decreases to the neck where you continue to knit to create the cowl neckline. This one could easily be pulled down to wear it poncho style or draped around the neck as an oversized cowl.
Get the pattern: Princeton Capelet
Recommended yarn: Blue Sky Fibers Eco-Cashmere
Margo Poncho
The Margo Poncho by Elizabeth Smith is for those adventurous knitters who want to try lots of new things. This is worked in two pieces and the shoulders are attached using a 3-needle bind off. There’s buttons & buttonholes along the sides and an easy ‘faux cable’ that uses yarn overs and slipped stitches to create the texture. Give this one a try if you’re feeling adventurous.
Get the pattern: Margo Poncho
Recommended yarn: Cascade Ecological Wool
Easy Folded Poncho
The Easy Folded Poncho from Churchmouse Yarns is perfect for beginners who want to practice their knits and purls – it’s just one large rectangle of Stockinette stitch (knitting on the right-side rows and purling on the wrong-side rows). It even includes an option cowl neck. This one is also seamed so you can get some practice in before tackling your first seamed sweater.
Get the pattern: Easy Folded Poncho
Recommended yarn: Rowan Felted Tweed
Shoulder Cozy
The Shoulder Cozy (also from Churchmouse Yarns) is a capelet that’s worked in the round from the bottom-up. It’s Garter stitch, when worked in the round, means you knit a row then purl a row, and it includes some basic decreases to create the shape. The pattern uses two yarns held together to create the cozy halo and it also comes in two sizes.
Get the pattern: Shoulder Cozy
Recommended yarn: Knit Picks City Tweed Aran and Rowan Kidsilk Haze
Bianca Wrap
The Bianca Wrap from Blue Sky Fibers simple for beginners. It’s knit in one long rectangle with stripes of color throughout (so you can practice simple color changes). It begins with a small section of textured rib before switching to Stockinette stitch (knit the right side rows and purl the wrong side rows) in alternating stripes of color. When it’s the desired length, finish with another section of textured rib. When it’s complete, one section is seamed to create the poncho shape.
Get the pattern: Bianca Wrap
Recommended yarn: Blue Sky Fibers Suri Merino
Ponchetta
Elizabeth Smith’s Ponchetta is worked flat from hem to shoulders and uses a 3-needle bind off to seam the shoulder. After the seam is finished, the remaining stitches are worked in the round for the cowl neck. So there are quite a few techniques going on here – nothing difficult – but great for an adventurous beginner. It also comes in five different sizes and uses a simple, textured pattern that would be easy to memorize.
Get the pattern: Ponchetta
Recommended yarn: Berroco Ultra Alpaca
Haven
Haven by Holli Yeoh is Stockinette fabric (the reverse Stockinette side is the outwards facing side – but that’s just one option) rectangle worked flat. Besides basic Stockinette and Rib, you’ll practice making buttonholes and attaching buttons as the finished poncho is folded and buttoned. But the real star of the show is the fabric.
You’ll create an ombré effect by working with two strands of yarn held together throughout the project. you begin by working with just two strands of one color. Then you work a section that uses one strand of your original color and another strand of at the second color. Finish the effect by working with two strands of the second color. This process is repeated for every color used so you slowly blend from one color to the next. It’s definitely a fun way to play with color! .
Get the pattern: Haven
Recommended yarn: Sweet George CashLuxe Fine
Rodeo Drive Poncho
The Rodeo Drive Poncho is perfect for an adventurous beginner (and there’s a video tutorial that walks you through the whole process of knitting the poncho). It’s an a-line construction that’s worked top-down and in-the-round with a cable detail that runs down the front. Don’t let the cable scare you – it’s not hard to do once you understand the process. Here’s a link to video tutorial: Rodeo Drive Poncho Video Tutorial.
Get the pattern: Rodeo Drive Poncho
Recommended yarn: Knit Picks Capra DK
If you’re ready to tackle a larger project after learning the basics of knitting, a poncho is a great first garment. You don’t have to worry as much about proper measurements as you would for a sweater or cardigan but you still get the thrill of completing a larger knitting project that you can proudly wear.
Check out the resources below for more about knitting, ponchos and wraps (especially for more advanced projects), and more knitting advice and tips.
Recommended Knitting Resources
- Ponchos to Knit by Denise Samson (available on Amazon)
- Vogue Knitting on the Go! Ponchos by Trisha Malcolm (available on Amazon)
- 30 Knit Ponchos & Capes by Rita Maassen (available on Amazon)
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