Solar Poncho in Rowan Alpaca Soft DK (De) - Downloadable PDF

Solar Poncho in Rowan Alpaca Soft DK by Martin Storey – Knitting Pattern Summary

About This Design

The Solar Poncho is a striking, colourwork poncho designed by Martin Storey for Rowan, released in 2020 as part of the brand's ongoing collection of wearable knitted accessories. Available as a downloadable PDF in German (ZB276-00003-DEP), this pattern produces a generously sized, circular poncho worked in the round from the lower ribbed hem upward, tapering toward the neckline through a series of carefully structured decreases. It is rated as an advanced knitting project, making it best suited to experienced knitters who are comfortable with stranded colourwork, circular needle techniques, and multi-colour pattern reading.

What Is Being Made

The finished garment is a circular poncho designed to fit two size ranges: one suitable for a bust measurement of 81–97 cm and a larger size for 102–117 cm. The knitted circumference at the lower edge measures an impressive 155.5 cm for the smaller size and 180 cm for the larger, giving the poncho its characteristic sweeping, draped silhouette. The Solar Poncho is a true statement piece, combining bold colourwork with elegant shaping for a garment that works across seasons.

Techniques Used

• Knitting in the round – The entire poncho is constructed circularly, beginning on a long circular needle and transitioning to a set of double-pointed needles as the stitch count decreases toward the top.
• Stranded colourwork (Norwegermuster) – A traditional Fair Isle or Norwegian-style colourwork chart is worked across the body of the poncho, with the 18-stitch repeat worked 19 or 20 times per round depending on size. This technique involves carrying multiple yarn colours across the back of the work to create the pattern.
• Ribbing – The lower hem is worked in a 2×2 rib (2 stitches knit, 2 stitches purl) for 11 rounds on the smaller needle size, establishing structure and elasticity at the cast-on edge.
• Structured decreasing – Shaping is achieved through a series of planned decreases worked at the beginning and end of each colourwork repeat. Decreases are made in round 1 and then every following 10th round at the start of each repeat, and in round 7 and every following 10th round at the end of each repeat, creating a smooth, symmetrical taper.
• Needle switching – Knitters transition from a 3.25 mm circular needle to a 4 mm circular needle after the ribbing section, and later move to double-pointed needles when the stitch count becomes too small for a circular needle.

Stitches Used

• 2×2 Rib – Used for the lower border, worked as knit 2, purl 2 repeated to the end of each round.
• Stocking stitch (Glatt rechts / knit every round) – Forms the background fabric of the poncho body, worked in the round so that every stitch is knitted.
• Colourwork chart stitches – An 18-stitch repeat chart (Zählmuster) spanning at least 46 rows is worked in stranded stocking stitch, incorporating multiple colours to create the Solar pattern motif.
• Right-leaning decreases (2 M rechts zusammenstricken / k2tog) – Used both within the ribbing decrease round and throughout the body shaping rounds to reduce stitch count progressively.

Colourwork and Yarn Colours

The pattern uses four colours of Rowan Alpaca Soft DK, each designated by a letter for easy reference within the colourwork chart:

• Colour A – Rainy Day (shade 210): The main colour, requiring 5 × 50g balls for the smaller size and 5 × 50g balls for the larger size.