Sans Souci

Sans Souci Poncho by Kiri FitzGerald

What is Being Made

Sans Souci is an elegant all-over cable and rib poncho designed by Kiri FitzGerald. The name means "without worry or care," reflecting the cozy, comfortable nature of this garment. This poncho is knit in fingering weight yarn and is available in four sizes: Small (to fit bust 86-99 cm / 34-39"), Medium (102-114 cm / 40-45"), Large (117-127 cm / 46-50"), and Extra Large (130-142 cm / 51-56"). The design showcases a sophisticated cable and rib pattern throughout, making it an ideal project for displaying hand-dyed colourways or contrasting colour combinations.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

This advanced-level knitting project features all-over cable and rib patterning as its primary design element. The cable work creates texture and visual interest across the entire poncho, while ribbing provides structure and elasticity. The pattern is written for two colours, allowing knitters to work with either a main colour (MC) and contrasting colour (CC), or to knit the entire poncho in a single colour if preferred. The use of two-colour knitting adds complexity to this advanced project, requiring careful attention to colour changes and pattern management.

Yarn and Materials

Sans Souci is designed to be knit in fingering weight yarn, which differs from the product attribute listing of 4-ply (note: fingering weight and 4-ply are often used interchangeably in yarn terminology). The pattern requires a substantial yardage commitment: 1260-1605 metres (1378-1755 yards) of main colour yarn and 647-823 metres (708-900 yards) of contrasting colour yarn, depending on size selected.

The sample poncho was knit using Dream in Color Smooshy with Cashmere, a premium fingering weight yarn blend comprising 70% Superfine Merino, 20% Cashmere, and 10% Nylon. This luxurious fibre composition creates a soft, durable fabric ideal for a close-fitting poncho. The sample required 4-5 skeins of the main colour (Prince William) and 2-3 skeins of the contrasting colour (Awesome! Wow!), with each skein providing 114 grams and 366 metres (400 yards) of yardage.

Tension and Finishing

Proper tension is essential for this project. The pattern specifies a tension of 26 stitches and 33 rows to 10 centimetres (4 inches) in cable pattern after blocking. Achieving this tension ensures the finished poncho drapes correctly and reaches the intended finished measurements. Blocking is recommended to set the cable pattern and achieve the desired finished dimensions.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as advanced, making it suitable for experienced knitters. The combination of cable work, two-colour knitting, and the large yardage involved requires strong foundational knitting skills, familiarity with cable techniques, and the ability to manage colour changes smoothly throughout the project.