Culloden Poncho in Valley Yarns Northampton - 860 - Downloadable PDF

Culloden Poncho in Valley Yarns Northampton – Pattern #860 by Julie Turjoman

The Culloden Poncho is a stunning Fair Isle colorwork poncho designed by Julie Turjoman and knitted in Valley Yarns Northampton, a 100% wool worsted-weight yarn celebrated for its rich, exceptional color palette — making it an ideal choice for traditional stranded colorwork projects. This downloadable PDF pattern, numbered #860, is rated intermediate in difficulty and is available as an instant digital download, perfect for knitters ready to explore colorwork construction in a wearable, stylish format.

What Is Being Made

The Culloden Poncho is a one-size-fits-most accessory layer designed to be worn asymmetrically, so that its dramatic Fair Isle colorwork border drapes diagonally across the body. The finished piece measures 25 inches in length by 58 inches in circumference (or 25" L x 29" W when folded in half). It features no shaping, making it an approachable colorwork project for intermediate knitters who may not yet be comfortable with complex garment construction. The result is an elegant, cozy extra layer perfectly suited to chilly evenings.

Construction and Techniques

The Culloden Poncho is worked flat in one piece with minimal seaming, combining the techniques of worked flat and seamed construction. A key advanced technique used in this pattern is the steek — a method common in Fair Isle and Scandinavian knitting where extra stitches are added to a knitted fabric to allow it to be cut open after completion. Steeks allow the knitter to work colorwork more easily in the round or flat while maintaining the integrity of the stranded pattern. The pattern references working steek stitches alongside chart rounds, indicating that knitters will need to be comfortable managing steek stitches alongside colorwork charts.

The colorwork is presented through multiple charts (including Chart 2 and Chart 3 referenced in the pattern), worked in rounds and following established pattern sequences. This multi-chart approach is characteristic of traditional Fair Isle stranded colorwork, where two or more colors are carried across each row to create intricate repeating motifs. The poncho's colorwork border is its most dramatic design element, creating a bold visual statement when the piece is worn on the diagonal.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette stitch – the primary body stitch, worked in the main color to create a smooth, classic fabric
• Stranded colorwork / Fair Isle – worked from multiple charts using the main color and up to six contrast colors simultaneously
• K3tog (knit 3 together) – a decrease stitch referenced in the abbreviations, used at specific construction points
• Slip stitches (sl1 purlwise) – used in managing steek and edge stitches
• Bind off and cast on – standard techniques for beginning and finishing the piece

Color Palette and Yarn

The Culloden Poncho uses Valley Yarns Northampton (100% Wool, 100g / 247 yards per skein) in a total of eight colors across one main color and six contrast colors:

• Main Color: 4 skeins – #50 Med. Grey
• Contrast Color 1: 1 skein – #13 Dark Navy
• Contrast Color 2: 1 skein – #42 Lake Heather
• Contrast Color 3: 1 skein – #53 Stratosphere
• Contrast Color 4: 1 skein – #14 Deep Periwinkle
• Contrast Color 5: 1 skein – #41 Garnet
• Contrast Color 6: 1 skein – #02 Natural

This sophisticated palette of cool greys, deep navies, heathered blues, periwinkle, a warm garnet red, and natural cream is characteristic of traditional Fair Isle colorwork and gives the Culloden Poncho its striking, heritage