X-Sender: carolea@college.antioch-college.edu Mime-Version: 1.0 Date: Tue, 11 Mar 1997 01:02:15 -0500 To: emily@mysterydate.com From: Carole Nichole Subject: Carole's Poncho, rev. For all those who have requested a copy of my poncho pattern (and waited so patiently for it too!), here is a description that I hope can lead you to a successful result. DESIGN-YOUR-OWN: I encourage you to use the basic guidelines and to come up with your own variation. My pattern and color choices are only one of countless possiblities. Let me see how well I manage to describe this in words. With knitting I always feel "linguistically challenged" and much prefer to work from a visual representation. (Most of my knitting projects begin that way -- as images in my mind -- and it's easier to knit them than to describe them!) So try to get the image of this as you read. It's really very straightforward, I promise! The poncho is a basic rectangle with a hole (more of a slit, really) in the center for the head. Some ponchos are triangular on the body, which is also a rectangle or a square, just folded differently over the arms. But if you consider that you're working with a rectangle or square, you can get some interesting effects -- stripes horizontally, vertically, or even diagonally. I think the next one I'll do will be knit from the bottom, go up over the shoulders and down to the back hem. The variations are endless because this is a rectangular garment with no shaping (unless you want to do something spiffy for the neck opening). Just remember that you're doing a two-dimensional design that will be seen three-dimensionally when draped over a curved body! Horizontal striping will become vertical across the arms (and vice versa of course), remember, so if you don't like that, you may want to limit your color work to the center third of the rectangle. I chose to knit mine side to side, from shoulder to shoulder. This is because I wanted a vertical striping effect, which I felt would be more flattering. Knitting from side-to-side, I only had to worry about one color at a time -- no yarn to carry. Since it's such a large piece, and since I wanted to wear it THIS winter (not two winters from now!), I wanted a very simple, mindless stitch pattern that would go quickly but still give a nice effect. Various neck treatments are possible. The slit I used forms a very natural V-neck opening on the body because the shoulder sections separate and drape down the shoulders a bit. Remember when measuring for the width you want your poncho to be, measure wrist to wrist and up across the shoulders, but remember there will be a few inches "spread" at the neck opening. And the deeper (longer) you make the slit for the head, the wider the spread will be. Clear as mud? Well I hope you're still following. Here then is the design I ended up with for me. CAROLE'S MOHAIR PONCHO Mohair/wool blended side-to-side poncho in a "block" (or extra-wide rib pattern) which falls in very soft wavy pleats. The color composition shifts over the garment from greys on one shoulder to red plum on the other. I basically divided the total rows worked into four sections of 38 rows each, and each has a different yarn combination. This was the basic idea I was working with, but I love to knit "as the spirit moves me," so I added a contrast stripe from another color-block here and there. MATERIALS: * 500 yds Brunswick Impressions Mohair (chunky) in each of two complementary colors. I used Grey and Red Plum, and 600 yds. Brunswick Impressions Wool (knitting worsted) in each of the same colors. One strand of each knit together throughout. (So you'll need 1000 yds of mohair and 1200 yds of wool -- this allows also for the fringe. And this will be enough for a nice hat to match your poncho!) * US #13 circular needles (but knitting as if with straight needles) -- circulars make it easier to deal with the weight of this garment as you complete it. * US # 11 circular or dp needles for the neck border (10 1/2's will work too, as 11's are hard to find) GAUGE: Double stranded, 1 mohair + 1 wool, on US #13 needles 5 rows garter stitch (border) = 1" 2 1/2 sts and 4 rows = 1", 1 pattern repeat (22 rows) = 5 1/2 " FINISHED MEASUREMENT: 40 1/2" wide x about 65" long; neck opening is about 18": I did 7 pattern repeats total (38 1/2") and had a 1" border at each edge. PATTERN STITCH: 12 rows reversed stockinette stitch (P on right side, K on wrong side) 10 rows stockinette stitch COLOR PROGRESSION: 1st block: Grey wool with grey mohair (GW, GM) 2nd block: Grey wool with Red Plum mohair (GW, PM) 3rd block: Red plum wool with Grey mohair (PW, GM) 4th block: Red plum wool with Red Plum mohair (PW, PM) DIRECTIONS: (Check your gauge and adapt stitches/rows) Cast on 162 sts in GW/GM and knit garter stitch for 5 rows. (2 ridges, ending with a K row.) The border is now done. Begin pattern as above. After 38 rows of pattern (or about 1/4 of total width of garment), change to GW/PM yarn combination. You will proceed in this fashion, changing yarns as you complete each fourth according to the progression chart above. **BUT** you must cast off for the neck opening when you reach the halfway point in your total width. **For neck opening, proceed as follows: **On RS row, Knit 58 stitches, cast off center 46 stitches, K 58 sts. Next row: Knit 58 stitches cast on 46 stitches, K 58 sts.** This is the exact same principle as casting off and on again for a buttonhole. You're just making a much bigger hole. Proceed according to pattern, changing colors as you complete each color-block. Then end with 5 rows garter stitch in PW /PM. Cast off. FINISHIING: At center back, with PW/ PM and smaller needles, pick up and knit one st for every cast off st at the neck (92 stitches). P first row, decreasing on BOTH sides of each end of slit, front and back, on each round. (You are hereby making a "V-point" since the neck opening will spread open, remember?) Then continue in garter stitch as follows: K 1 row, P 1 row (you now have 2 ridges). Cast off on the next row as if to K. Block to measurements (steam works well -- but no iron!) Add fringe in whatever color/yarn combinations strike your fancy. Throw it over your head and take a walk on the town! Enjoy the admiring glances. :) THAT'S IT! Remember, it's a lot easier to DO than it is to DESCRIBE HOW to do it! What you'll end up with is a lovely, warm yet lightweight poncho. It extends about 3/4 length in front and back and is a wonderful, beautiful substitute for a winter coat! Enjoy the pattern -- and do send me an email (or better yet a photo) when you've completed your own self-designed poncho! Carole Nichole Abrams carolea@college.antioch.edu 924 Talus Drive, Yellow Springs, OH 45387 USA Copyright, February 1997: This pattern was designed by Carole Nichole, . It MAY be used by current members of the Knit-List for their own use, or for the sale of finished garments if pattern credit is given. The pattern MUST NOT be sold or distributed by any person or company, without permission. This copyright notice must accompany all copies or electronic transmissions. carolea@college.antioch.edu ===================================================== Carole Nichole Abrams * InterConnections * Fax: 937/767-1630 924 Talus Drive, Yellow Springs, OH 45387 ===================================================== * I dwell in possibility * - Emily Dickinson --- This pattern downloaded from Wool Works: the online knitting compendium http://www.woolworks.org/