Nagisa

Nagisa Wrapped Poncho by Takako Takiguchi

What Is Being Made

Nagisa is a wrapped poncho or shawl designed by Takako Takiguchi, featuring a sophisticated two-layer construction with a single front button closure. The garment drapes elegantly as a layering piece, combining the comfort of a poncho with the refined aesthetic of a shawl. Available in five sizes ranging from Small to 2XL, this design accommodates various body measurements with a bottom body width ranging from 60cm to 68cm when laid flat, and a body length of 31cm that can be easily adjusted to suit individual preferences.

Techniques and Construction Method

Nagisa employs a clever two-row stripe technique using slipped stitches that creates a visually striking effect. The designer works with two different beautiful yarns in alternating two-row stripes, but the ingenious two-layer construction of the garment makes these stripes appear as single-row stripes to the eye. This technique demonstrates an advanced approach to color mixing and visual texture, allowing crafters to combine complementary yarns in a way that produces an interesting interplay of colors reminiscent of a sea shore landscape. The wrapped construction and button closure provide both functional and aesthetic appeal, making this suitable for various occasions and styling preferences.

Stitches Used

• Knit stitch (k) – the foundational stitch creating the fabric structure
• Slip stitch with yarn in front (sl1wyf) – slipping the next stitch purlwise with working yarn positioned in front, creating the striped texture and visual interest

The primary stitch pattern is a "k1, sl1wyf" ribbing worked at a gauge of 44 stitches and 50 rows over 10 centimeters, establishing the fabric's drape and elasticity.

Materials and Tools

Yarn: Nagisa is designed to showcase two distinctly different yarns that work in beautiful contrast. The first yarn is Malabrigo sock in colorway Polar Moon, a 3-ply yarn with 402 meters per 100 grams, requiring 1 skein for size Small and 2 skeins for sizes Medium/Large through 2XL, totaling approximately 400 to 560 meters depending on size. The second yarn is Schoppel Wolle Zauberball® 100 in colorway Sofaecke, also offering 400 meters per 100 grams, with the same yardage requirements as the first yarn. Both yarns are worked in equal proportions to create the two-row striped effect.

Needles and Notions: The pattern calls for a 3.0mm circular needle to accommodate the wrapped construction and accommodate the width of the poncho. Additional notions include stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and shaping, a tapestry needle for weaving in ends and seaming, and one button measuring 20 to 25 millimeters in diameter for the front closure.

Difficulty Level

Nagisa is rated as a beginner-friendly knitting project, making it accessible to those new to the craft while still offering interesting technical elements to explore, such as the two-row stripe technique with slipped stitches and the two-layer construction method.