Deep Purple Poncho in Cascade Yarns Eco+ - A313 - Downloadable PDF

Deep Purple Poncho in Cascade Yarns Eco+ – Pattern Summary

The Deep Purple Poncho is a beautifully textured knitted poncho designed by Shannon Dunbabin and published by Cascade Yarns. This free downloadable PDF pattern (style number A313) creates a generous, rectangular wrap-style poncho measuring 27 inches wide by 54 inches long, making it a versatile layering piece suitable for a wide range of body types. The finished dimensions allow the poncho to drape elegantly over the shoulders and fall to a flattering length.

Skill Level and Who This Pattern Is For

This pattern is rated Intermediate in difficulty. Knitters who are comfortable with basic knit and purl stitches and have some experience working cables will find this project very approachable. It is an excellent next step for those who have mastered beginner projects and are ready to explore the satisfying world of cable knitting. The stitch repeat is straightforward and rhythmic, making it enjoyable to work once the pattern is established.

What Is Being Made

The finished project is a knitted poncho in the capes and ponchos category. The design features a rich, deep purple colorway — specifically color #3479 (Grape) — that gives the garment its name. The poncho is worked flat as a rectangular panel, incorporating structured ribbing borders and an all-over cable pattern that creates beautiful vertical texture throughout the body of the piece. The combination of ribbing and cables gives the poncho a polished, intentional look that elevates it beyond a simple rectangle wrap.

Techniques Used

• Flat knitting: The poncho is worked back and forth in rows on straight or circular needles, making it accessible to knitters who prefer not to work in the round.
• Ribbing: The pattern begins with six rows of 1x1 ribbing (alternating knit and purl stitches), which creates a neat, elastic border that helps the edges lie flat and adds a professional finish.
• Cable knitting: The body of the poncho features a repeating cable pattern worked over multiple rows. Cables are created by temporarily placing stitches on a cable needle and crossing them, producing the characteristic twisted rope-like columns that are the hallmark of traditional cable knitting.
• Casting on and binding off: Standard cast-on and bind-off techniques are used to begin and finish the piece.

Stitches Used

• Knit (K) and Purl (P): The foundational stitches used throughout both the ribbing and cable sections.
• 1x1 Ribbing: Worked as a K1, P1 alternating sequence across all stitches, used for the opening border rows on both the right side (RS) and wrong side (WS).
• C4B (Cable 4 Back): A four-stitch back cable where two stitches are slipped to the cable needle and held at the back of the work, two stitches are knitted from the left needle, and then the two held stitches are knitted from the cable needle. This creates a right-leaning twist and is the signature stitch of this poncho's cable pattern.
• Cable Pattern rows: The cable section is worked over a ten-row repeat, with the cable cross occurring on Row 7 of each repeat. The remaining rows establish the knit and purl columns that frame and define each cable panel.

Cable Pattern Structure

The cable pattern is set up with a seed-stitch-style border of four stitches on each edge (worked as K1, P1 twice) to frame the fabric neatly. Within the body, the pattern alternates columns of purled stitches with groups of four knit stitches, creating clear vertical channels. Every seventh row of the cable repeat, the C4B cross is worked on alternating cable columns, producing the classic interlocking rope effect. This structured repeat is easy to memorize after the first full pattern sequence, making the knitting meditative and enjoyable.

Materials Required

• Yarn: Cascade Yarns® Eco+, a 100% Peruvian Highland Wool yarn. Each skein contains 250 g (8