Cascade Yarns Into The Woods Ponchette Cape Knitting Pattern

Cascade Yarns Into The Woods Ponchette

What Is Being Made

The Into The Woods Ponchette is a sophisticated knitted cape-style garment designed by Nicky Epstein for Cascade Yarns. This ponchette is a structured layering piece available in four sizes: Small, Medium, Large, and Extra Large, with finished dimensions ranging from 10" x 10" (Small) to 13" x 13" (Extra Large). The garment features decorative animal buttons as a signature design element, making it both functional and visually striking.

Craft and Techniques

This is an advanced knitting project that combines multiple cable knitting techniques with colorwork. The pattern employs a sophisticated construction method using chart-based instructions that guide knitters through complex stitch manipulations. The design incorporates cable stitches as a primary decorative element, requiring knitters to work with a cable needle to create twisted, rope-like textures throughout the piece.

The ponchette is worked in the round using circular needles, which allows for seamless construction. The pattern includes increases (Make 1 stitches) and decreases (Knit 2 together and Purl 2 together) to shape the garment across multiple sizes. Knitters must maintain stitch markers to track pattern sections and manage sizing variations, demonstrating intermediate to advanced-level pattern reading and execution skills.

Stitches Used

The Into The Woods Ponchette utilizes a comprehensive range of knitting stitches:

• Stockinette Stitch: The primary base stitch, created by alternating knit rows on the right side and purl rows on the wrong side, providing a smooth, classic fabric
• Reverse Stockinette Stitch: Used strategically for sizing adjustments and background areas, creating a textured contrast
• 1x1 Ribbing: Applied to the side edges (3 stitches on each side) to create definition and a finished appearance
• Cable Stitches: Multiple cable variations including:
  • 1/1 Right Cable through the back loop (1/1 RC tbl)
  • 1/1 Left Cable through the back loop (1/1 LC tbl)
  • 1/1 Right Purl Cable through the back loop (1/1 RPC tbl)
  • 1/1 Left Purl Cable through the back loop (1/1 LPC tbl)
  • 2/2 Left Purl Cable (2/2 LPC and 2/2 LPC tbl)
  • 2/2 Right Purl Cable (2/2 RPC and 2/2 RPC tbl)
  • 3/3 Right Cable through the back loop (3/3 RC tbl)
• Through-the-Back-Loop Variations: Many stitches are worked through the back loop, creating twisted effects that add visual interest and texture

Materials and Specifications

The ponchette is crafted using Cascade Yarns Cascade 220®, a premium yarn made from 100% Peruvian Highland Wool. The yarn specifications are 100 grams (3.5 ounces) per skein with a yardage of 220 yards (200 meters) per skein.

Yarn Requirements by Color:

• Color A (Dune Heather, #9460): 3 skeins
• Color B (Olive Heather, #9448): 1 skein

Tools and Notions:

• US 8 Circular Knitting Needles: Required for working the ponchette in the round
• Cable Needle: Essential for executing the numerous cable stitch variations
• Yarn Needle: Used for weaving in ends and finishing
• 6 Decorative Buttons: Nicky Epstein animal-themed buttons (1 inch / 25 mm) serve as functional and aesthetic closures
• Stitch Markers: Required for tracking pattern