Burwell Poncho Cape Knitting Pattern

Burwell Poncho in Berroco Millstone Tweed

What Is Being Made

The Burwell is a knitted poncho designed by Mel Kennelly, available in four finished sizes ranging from 36¾ inches to 52¾ inches in width, with lengths between 24 and 25 inches. This intermediate-level knitting project creates a versatile layering piece constructed from individual pieces that are seamed together at the shoulders, with a collar picked up and worked in the round and a flat edging applied to the front and back.

Construction Technique

The Burwell poncho uses a bottom-up construction method worked in separate pieces before assembly. The body sections are knitted flat, then seamed at the shoulder seams to form the poncho shape. After the main body is complete, stitches are picked up around the neckline to work the collar in the round using circular needles. The front and back edges are finished with a picked-up edging that is worked flat, creating a polished perimeter.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The primary stitch used throughout the Burwell is stockinette stitch (St st), which creates a smooth, classic fabric. The design features a 14-stitch cable pattern that measures 3 inches wide when worked to gauge. This cable pattern incorporates several key cable techniques:

• C2B (Cable 2 Back): One stitch is slipped to a cable needle and held to the back, one knit stitch is worked, then the stitch from the cable needle is knitted, creating a right-leaning cable twist
• C4F (Cable 4 Front): Two stitches are slipped to a cable needle and held to the front, two stitches are knitted, then the two stitches from the cable needle are knitted, creating a larger left-leaning cable cross

The cable pattern alternates between rows of stockinette with purl columns framing the cables and rows featuring the cable twists themselves, creating a repeating textured design across the poncho body.

Materials and Tools

The Burwell is knitted using Berroco Millstone Tweed yarn in the colorway Pear (#11132). Yardage requirements vary by size, ranging from 12 to 17 balls of yarn, with each ball weighing 50 grams. The project requires two sizes of circular needles—a 32-inch circular needle in sizes 6 (4 mm) and 8 (5 mm) for the main body work, and a 16-inch circular needle in size 6 (4 mm) for the collar. Additional notions include a cable needle for executing the cable stitches, stitch markers to track pattern repeats and construction sections, and a tapestry needle for seaming the pieces together.

Gauge and Finishing

The pattern specifies a gauge of 15 stitches and 25 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch using the larger needle (size 8 / 5 mm). The cable pattern gauge is measured at 14 stitches equaling 3 inches in width. Gauge is measured after blocking, making it essential to block the finished poncho to achieve the intended finished measurements and drape. Checking gauge before beginning ensures accurate sizing and proper fit of the completed garment.