Polyphemus Poncho in Valley Yarns Hampden - 1101 - Downloadable PDF

Polyphemus Poncho in Valley Yarns Hampden – Pattern #1101 by Julie Turjoman

The Polyphemus Poncho is a dramatic striped poncho designed by Julie Turjoman and published by Valley Yarns as pattern #1101. Available as a downloadable PDF, this design is rated Beginner difficulty, making it an ideal project for newer knitters who want to build foundational sweater-construction skills while creating a stylish, wearable garment. The poncho's generous, oversized silhouette is designed for casual comfort and effortless layering, offering 20–30 inches of positive ease across all sizes.

Garment Overview

The Polyphemus Poncho is a cape and poncho-style outerwear piece featuring clean lines, simple shaping, and bold color-blocked stripes. It is worked in DK weight yarn and designed to drape beautifully over the body. The finished garment measures 60 (64¾, 76, 87¼) inches in bust circumference and 27 (27, 28, 29) inches in length, available in four size ranges: XS-S, M-L, XL-2XL, and 3XL-4XL. The sample shown is knitted in Size XS-S.

Materials – Yarn

This pattern is specifically designed for Valley Yarns Hampden, a luxurious DK weight yarn with a fiber composition of 50% Baby Alpaca, 35% Fine Merino Wool, and 15% Mulberry Silk, sold in 50g/95-yard hanks. Julie Turjoman highlights that Hampden's silky drape and delicious softness are central to the poncho's appeal. The pattern uses one main color and three contrast colors:

• MC (Main Color): Sand – 7 (8, 10, 12) hanks
• CC1 (Contrast Color 1): Charcoal – 5 (6, 7, 8) hanks
• CC2 (Contrast Color 2): Lizard – 2 (3, 3, 4) hanks
• CC3 (Contrast Color 3): Blue – 2 (2, 3, 3) hanks

The multi-color palette of Sand, Charcoal, Lizard, and Blue creates the poncho's signature striped visual impact, with the neutral tones of Sand and Charcoal anchoring the design while Lizard and Blue provide vibrant accent stripes.

Materials – Needles

The pattern calls for US size 5 (3.75 mm) circular needles in both a 16-inch length and a 32–40-inch length, or the size needed to obtain gauge. The use of circular needles in two lengths accommodates both the body of the poncho and any finishing or neckline work.

Techniques Used

The Polyphemus Poncho is worked flat, meaning the fabric is knitted back and forth in rows rather than in the round, which is a particularly approachable method for beginner knitters. Key techniques employed in this pattern include:

• Worked Flat: The poncho panels are constructed by knitting back and forth in rows, a fundamental technique that reinforces basic sweater-construction skills.
• Stripes: Color changes are made at regular intervals to create the poncho's bold striped pattern. Working stripes flat is an excellent introduction to managing multiple yarn colors without the complexity of colorwork such as Fair Isle or intarsia.
• Double Hem: A double hem finish is incorporated into the design, creating a clean, polished edge. A double hem is typically worked by knitting a folded band that is then joined to the live stitches, resulting in a neat, professional-looking border with no raw edges visible on the right side.

Stitches and Construction

As a beginner-level pattern, the Polyphemus Poncho relies primarily on basic knit and purl stitches