Dissension poncho

Dissension Poncho by Petra Christel Breakstone

What Is Being Made

The Dissension is a knitted cowl-poncho hybrid garment inspired by the iconic collar worn by Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg during her dissenting opinions. This design extends the traditional cowl concept into a longer, more dramatic poncho silhouette that drapes elegantly from the neckline. The finished piece measures 26 inches around the neckline, 64 inches at the bottom circumference, and 16.5 inches in length, making it a versatile layering piece suitable for various occasions and body types.

Knitting Techniques

The Dissension poncho is knitted from the top down and worked in the round, a construction method that allows for easy fitting adjustments and a seamless finished garment. The design incorporates an easy two-color Intarsia method for color work, making it accessible to intermediate knitters who may be newer to working with multiple colors. The garment features strategic increases throughout the body that create a flared silhouette, with the increases concentrated to produce a distinctive dotted border at the hem. Triangular stitch patterns and deliberate color changes work together to build visual interest and structure as the piece expands from the fitted neckline to the wider poncho hem.

Stitches and Stitch Abbreviations

The pattern employs fundamental knitting stitches combined with shaping techniques:

• K (knit) - the primary stitch throughout the garment
• P (purl) - used in combination with knit stitches to create textural variation
• KFB (knit in front and back of same stitch) - an increase method that creates the flared shaping
• Sl 1 (slip stitch as if to purl) - used for edge definition and stitch management
• Pl m (place marker) - essential for tracking pattern repeats and increases in circular knitting
• Rep (repeat) - indicates pattern sections that are worked multiple times

The combination of knit and purl stitches with strategic increases creates the triangular stitch patterns that characterize the design.

Yarn and Materials

The Dissension poncho uses two distinct yarns to achieve its visual and textural effects:

• C1 (Color 1) - One skein of Five Wise Owls Pima cotton in Storm, a DK weight yarn with 218 yards per skein. This yarn provides a smooth, breathable base.
• C2 (Color 2) - Three skeins of Textured Yarn Cakes, a thick and thin blend of cotton and linen held double throughout. Each cake contains 250 yards in Silver. This yarn can alternatively be substituted with a sport weight yarn at approximately 365 yards per skein, offering flexibility for yarn substitution.

The yarn weight range spans DK to sport weight, with the linen-cotton blend held double to achieve the desired fabric density and drape. The natural fiber content of both the Pima cotton and the cotton-linen blend creates a breathable, comfortable garment suitable for layering in various seasons.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as intermediate in difficulty. While the construction method of top-down circular knitting and the two-color Intarsia technique are described as easy, the overall pattern assumes knitters have foundational skills in circular knitting, reading pattern instructions, and managing yarn tension with multiple colors. The strategic increases and pattern repeats require attention to detail and familiarity with stitch markers and basic shaping techniques.