Arcadia Poncho in Berroco Vintage - Pv2-6 - Downloadable PDF

Arcadia Poncho in Berroco Vintage – A Knitted Poncho Pattern by Melissa LaBarre

The Arcadia Poncho, designed by Melissa LaBarre and published by Berroco as part of Portfolio Vol. 2, is a beautifully structured knitted poncho worked in the round. Rated intermediate in difficulty, this pattern offers a relaxed, wearable silhouette that flatters a wide range of body types. It is available as a downloadable PDF, making it instantly accessible for knitters ready to cast on right away.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a women's pullover-style poncho with an integrated cowl neckline. The poncho is designed to drape gracefully over the shoulders and upper body, with a generous circumference at the lower edge and a comfortable length that sits elegantly on the wearer. The cowl adds a cozy, finished touch at the neckline, making this piece as practical as it is stylish. The garment is shown in size Small/Medium in the sample photography.

Sizing and Finished Measurements

• Size Small/Medium: fits bust 32–40 inches; approximately 60½ inches around at lower edge × 21 inches long (not including cowl)
• Size Large/X-Large: fits bust 42–50 inches; approximately 68¼ inches around at lower edge × 22 inches long (not including cowl)
• Size 2X/3X: fits bust 52–60 inches; approximately 75¾ inches around at lower edge × 23 inches long (not including cowl)

The three-size range ensures that knitters across a broad spectrum of measurements can enjoy this pattern. Changes for the larger sizes are clearly noted in parentheses throughout the directions.

Techniques Used

The Arcadia Poncho is knitted in the round using circular knitting needles, which creates a seamless, smooth fabric with no seaming required for the main body. Working in the round is a popular technique among intermediate knitters because it eliminates the need to purl on wrong-side rows when working Stockinette Stitch, and it produces a tidy, professional result. Stitch markers are used throughout the construction to track key points in the round, including the beginning of the round (marked with a distinct color) and other structural reference points.

The poncho construction is thoughtfully shaped to achieve its tapered silhouette and lower-edge circumference. Knitters will work with two different circular needle lengths — a 24-inch and a 36-inch — to accommodate the changing stitch counts as the piece progresses from the cowl or upper body down to the wider lower edge, or vice versa depending on construction direction.

Stitches Used

The pattern incorporates two primary stitch patterns, each with its own gauge:

• Stockinette Stitch (St st): The classic smooth knit fabric, achieved seamlessly when working in the round by knitting every round. Gauge is 19 stitches and 24 rounds = 4 inches in Stockinette Stitch.
• Garter Stitch: When worked in the round, Garter Stitch requires alternating knit and purl rounds to produce the characteristic ridged texture. This stitch adds visual interest and textural contrast to the design. Gauge is 19 stitches and 36 rounds = 4 inches in Garter Stitch.

The combination of these two stitch patterns gives the Arcadia Poncho its distinctive surface texture, balancing smooth and ridged sections for a polished, designer look. Because the two stitch patterns have different row gauges, achieving the correct gauge in both is especially important, and the pattern strongly emphasizes checking gauge before beginning.

Materials Required

Yarn

The pattern calls for Berroco Vintage, a beloved workhorse yarn from Berroco, in colorway #5177 Douglas Fir. Berroco Vintage is an aran weight yarn sold in 100-gram hanks