Monack poncho

Monack Poncho by Miss Tejidos Designs

What is Being Made

The Monack Poncho is a beginner-friendly knitted poncho designed by Miss Tejidos Designs. This garment features a fitted yoke that gradually widens toward the bottom, creating a flattering silhouette. The poncho is worked seamlessly in the round from the top down, making it an accessible project for knitters new to circular knitting techniques. The finished poncho measures 38 cm in height with a yoke width of 19 cm that expands to 70 cm at the bottom hem, providing comfortable coverage for a range of body sizes.

Available Sizes

The Monack Poncho is offered in two size ranges: S-M and L-XL, allowing flexibility for different body types. Both sizes are worked from the same pattern with adjusted stitch counts and row repeats to accommodate the sizing variations.

Knitting Techniques Used

• Circular knitting: The entire poncho is worked in the round using a circular needle, eliminating the need for seaming and creating a seamless, professional finish.
• Ribbing: A 1x1 rib stitch forms the neckline, providing elasticity and a polished edge that sits comfortably against the neck.
• Lace stitch work: A decorative lace pattern is incorporated throughout the body of the poncho, adding visual interest and texture.
• Increases: Strategic increase rows using the M1R (make one right) technique shape the poncho from the narrow yoke to the wider bottom, creating the characteristic poncho silhouette.
• Yarn overs: Yarn overs are used within the lace pattern to create openwork details and contribute to the garment's drape.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Monack Poncho employs fundamental knitting stitches combined into a structured lace pattern. The primary stitches used include knit and purl, which form the foundation of the design.

The lace stitch pattern is a four-row repeat that alternates between patterned rows and knit rows:

• Row 1: *k3, yo, sl2k1psso, yo* (repeated across)
• Row 2: Knit all stitches
• Row 3: *yo, sl2k1psso, yo, k3* (repeated across)
• Row 4: Knit all stitches

The sl2k1psso (slip 2 stitches, knit 1, pass slipped stitches over) is a left-leaning decrease that pairs with yarn overs to create the lace openwork. The M1R (make one right) increase is worked between stitches to add width gradually throughout the poncho body.

Materials and Gauge

The Monack Poncho requires 520 metres of DK weight yarn, offering excellent yardage efficiency for a complete garment. The pattern is worked on US size 7 (4.5 mm) circular needles measuring 24 inches (60 cm) in length, which is ideal for working in the round on a poncho's circumference. A single stitch marker is needed to mark the beginning of rounds.

The gauge is 16 stitches and 24 rows over 10 cm (4 inches) in stockinette stitch, which is typical for DK weight yarn. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for the poncho to fit properly and display the lace pattern as intended.

Pattern Construction

The Monack Poncho begins with a cast-on of 120 (132) stitches depending on size, joined in the round with careful attention to avoid twisting. The pattern progresses through distinct sections: a 15-row 1x1 rib creates the neckline, followed by stockinette stitch rows that serve as transition sections. Increase rows are strategically placed to expand the stitch count from 120 (132) stitches to 160 (176) stitches in the first increase round, then to 200 (220) stitches in the second increase round. These increases, combined with the lace pattern, create the signature poncho shape that widens gracefully from the fitted yoke to the generous hem.