Into The Woods Ponchette in Cascade Yarns - W714 - Downloadable PDF

Into The Woods Ponchette by Nicky Epstein

Project Overview

The Into The Woods Ponchette is an advanced knitting design created by renowned designer Nicky Epstein for Cascade Yarns. This downloadable PDF pattern produces a sophisticated ponchette—a smaller, more tailored version of a traditional poncho—featuring woodland-inspired cable work and decorative animal button embellishments. Available in four sizes ranging from Small to Extra Large, with finished dimensions of 10" x 10" (S) through 13" x 13" (XL), this piece combines elegant construction with nature-themed styling.

What Is Being Made

This pattern creates a knitted ponchette, a garment that sits at the shoulders and drapes partially down the front and back. The Into The Woods design incorporates decorative cable stitches and is finished with six Nicky Epstein animal buttons, which serve as both functional closures and thematic design elements that reinforce the woodland aesthetic.

Knitting Techniques Used

• Cable Knitting: The pattern extensively employs cable techniques, which create raised, twisted rope-like textures across the fabric. These cables are worked using a cable needle to hold stitches temporarily while working surrounding stitches out of order, producing the signature dimensional effect.
• Stockinette Stitch: The foundational stitch used throughout, creating a smooth, flat fabric with a distinctive V-pattern appearance on the right side.
• Twisted Stitches: Multiple abbreviations reference through-the-back-loop (tbl) knitting, which twists stitches for added texture and visual interest, particularly in cable crossings.
• Purl Stitches: Integrated throughout the design, particularly within cable combinations, to create contrast and definition within the cable patterns.
• Circular Knitting: Worked on circular needles, allowing for seamless construction and the ability to work in the round or back-and-forth as the pattern requires.

Stitches and Stitch Abbreviations

The pattern utilizes specialized cable and twisted stitch combinations, including:

• 1/1 RC tbl: Right-leaning cable with twisted stitches—slip one stitch to cable needle, hold to back, knit one through the back loop from the cable needle
• 1/1 LC tbl: Left-leaning cable with twisted stitches—slip one stitch to cable needle, hold to front, knit one through the back loop from the cable needle
• 1/1 RPC tbl: Right-leaning purl cable with twisted stitches—slip one stitch to cable needle, hold to back, knit one through the back loop, then purl one through the back loop from cable needle
• 1/1 LPC tbl: Left-leaning purl cable with twisted stitches—slip one stitch to cable needle, hold to front, purl one through the back loop, then knit one through the back loop from cable needle
• 2/2 LPC: Two-over-two left purl cable—slip two stitches to cable needle, hold to front, knit two, then purl two from cable needle
• 2/2 LPC tbl: Two-over-two left purl cable with twisted stitches—slip two stitches to cable needle, hold to front, purl two, continuing the twisted cable pattern

Materials and Yarn Specifications

Yarn: Cascade Yarns Cascade 220®, a worsted-weight aran yarn composed of 100% Peruvian Highland Wool. This natural fiber choice provides warmth, elasticity, and the structure necessary for well-defined cable work.

• Color A (Primary): 3 skeins of #9460 Dune Heather—a neutral, earthy tone that serves as the main color
• Color B (Accent): 1 skein of #9448 Olive Heather—a complementary woodland-inspired shade for contrast details
• Yardage: Each skein contains 220 yards (200 meters), providing ample yardage for the complete project
• Weight: Each skein weighs 100 grams (3.5 ounces)

Tools and Notions

• Needles: