#1335 Benton Cherry - Poncho Knitting Pattern for Women in Valley Yarns Southampton

Pattern #1335 Benton Cherry – Women's Poncho Knitting Pattern by Valley Yarns

Pattern #1335 Benton Cherry, designed by Julie Turjoman and published by Valley Yarns, is a beautifully lightweight summer poncho for women. Worked in the luxurious Valley Yarns Southampton yarn — a blend of 72% Kid Mohair and 28% Mulberry Silk — this design delivers exceptional softness, drape, and an ethereal, sheer quality that makes it a versatile wardrobe accessory. Whether worn as a shoulder warmer on a cool summer evening or as an elegant layering piece for a night out, this poncho strikes the perfect balance between casual and refined.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a women's summer poncho with a light, flowing silhouette. The design features a striking combination of sheer and opaque stripes, giving it visual depth and texture without added weight. The poncho is constructed from two flat pieces that are seamed together, making the construction straightforward and satisfying even for newer knitters. It is shown on two models — Amber with a 32" bust and Ruth with a 44" bust — demonstrating how beautifully the design scales across sizes.

Sizes and Finished Measurements

• Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL
• Finished Width: 39½ (45½, 51½, 57½, 63½) inches
• Fits Bust Sizes: 32–36 (38–42, 44–48, 50–54, 56–60) inches
• Worn with 4–8 inches of positive ease for a relaxed, draped fit
• Finished Length (top of shoulder to hem): 20¾ (20¾, 21¾, 21¾, 23¾) inches

Skill Level and Techniques

This pattern is rated Advanced Beginner, making it an excellent next step for knitters who have mastered the basics and are ready to explore garment construction. The poncho is worked flat in two separate pieces and then seamed together, introducing knitters to the satisfying process of finishing and assembly without overwhelming complexity.

• Worked flat — both pieces are knitted back and forth in rows
• Seamed construction — the two panels are joined to create the finished poncho shape
• Stripe patterning — alternating sheer and opaque sections create the signature visual effect

Working flat is one of the most fundamental knitting techniques, using straight or circular needles to create a rectangular or shaped fabric by turning the work at the end of each row. Seaming, often done with a yarn needle using mattress stitch or another joining method, is a key finishing skill that gives garments a clean, polished look.

Stitches Used

While the full stitch list is contained within the complete downloadable PDF, the design relies on simple, accessible stitch patterns consistent with an Advanced Beginner skill level. The interplay of sheer and opaque stripes suggests the use of basic knit and purl combinations alongside strategic yarn usage to achieve the open, airy sections characteristic of mohair-blend lace-weight knitting.

Materials – Yarn and Needles

The recommended yarn is Valley Yarns Southampton, a lace-weight yarn in a 72% Kid Mohair / 28% Mulberry Silk blend. Each ball contains approximately 230 yards in a 25g skein, and the yarn is known for its incredible halo, softness, and natural drape — qualities that make it ideal for an ethereal poncho like this one. The colorway shown is 024 Slate Blue.

• Yarn: Valley Yarns Southampton, lace weight, 72% Kid Mohair / 28% Mulberry Silk, 25g / 230 yds per ball
• Yarn Amount Required: 10 (10, 12, 14, 16) balls depending on size