Jo Sharp Cable Mohair Poncho Cape Knitting Pattern

Jo Sharp Cable Mohair Poncho

What Is Being Made

The Jo Sharp Cable Mohair Poncho is a versatile, one-size-fits-all garment crafted from luxuriously soft mohair yarn. This piece functions as a multi-purpose accessory that can be worn as a drapey scarf, wrap, or poncho, making it suitable for both casual and dressed-up occasions. The finished poncho offers generous dimensions with a width of 69 to 93 centimeters (27 to 36 inches) and a length of 130 to 150 centimeters (51 to 59 inches), providing ample fabric for comfortable draping and styling versatility.

Knitting Techniques Used

This poncho is constructed using the worked flat technique, meaning the fabric is knitted back and forth on straight needles rather than in the round. The garment is created as a single rectangular piece before being seamed together during the finishing process. The worked flat approach allows for straightforward cable pattern placement and makes it easier to maintain consistent tension throughout the design. The construction method involves casting on stitches, working through the repeating cable pattern rows, and then casting off before the two edges are sewn together to form the poncho shape.

Stitches and Cable Work

The primary stitch used throughout the poncho is stocking stitch (knit on right-side rows, purl on wrong-side rows), which provides a smooth, classic fabric base. The design features prominent cable stitches as the focal point of the pattern. The cable pattern uses a special abbreviation 5/5 RC (right cross), which involves slipping 5 stitches to a cable needle and holding them to the back, knitting 5 stitches from the left needle, then knitting the 5 stitches from the cable needle. This creates the characteristic twisted rope effect that defines cable knit designs.

The cable pattern repeats over 21 rows, with cables crossing at row 11 and row 21 within each repeat cycle. Between cable crosses, rows 2 through 10 and rows 12 through 20 are worked in knit and purl as established, maintaining the stitch definition and allowing the cables to stand out against the background. The pattern includes purl stitches strategically placed to frame and separate the cable columns, creating visual definition and texture variation across the poncho surface.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The poncho is knitted using Jo Sharp Rare Comfort Kid Mohair, a premium yarn that provides exceptional softness and comfort. The pattern requires 7 balls of this yarn, with each ball weighing 25 grams. Kid mohair is prized for its lightweight, airy quality and luxurious drape, making it ideal for creating flowing garments like ponchos and wraps that move gracefully with the wearer.

The pattern calls for 6.00mm (USA 10.00, UK 4.00) needles for the main knitting, along with a cable needle for executing the cable crosses. The recommended tension is 14 stitches and 20 rows measured over 10 centimeters (4 inches) of stocking stitch using the 6.00mm needles. Achieving proper tension is essential for obtaining the correct finished dimensions and ensuring the cable pattern displays with appropriate definition and drape.

Pattern Construction Details

The cast-on begins with either 97 stitches (smaller size) or 131 stitches (larger size), depending on the desired finished width. The cable pattern is worked repeatedly until the piece reaches the target length of 130 centimeters (51 inches) for the smaller size or 150 centimeters (59 inches) for the larger size. Once the desired length is achieved, all stitches are cast off.

The finishing process is crucial to the poncho's final shape and fit. The rectangular knitted piece is seamed by measuring 50 to 60 centimeters along the side edge from the cast-on edge and marking this section with a pin. The cast-off edge is then sewn to the marked side edge section, creating the poncho opening while maintaining careful control to avoid gathering or stretching the fabric. This seaming technique transforms the flat rectangle into a wearable garment with an opening for the head and arms.