Juniper Moon Farm Cape Knitting Pattern

Juniper Moon Farm Annabelle Poncho

What is Being Made

The Annabelle Poncho is a sophisticated layering piece designed by Melissa Leapman as part of the Berkshires Collection. This knitted poncho offers two finished size options: 50 x 20½ inches (127 x 52 cm) or 54 x 24½ inches (137 x 62 cm) before seaming and blocking. The poncho is constructed to drape elegantly over the shoulders, making it a versatile addition to any wardrobe for both casual and dressed-up occasions.

Construction Technique

The Annabelle Poncho is worked using a bottom-up, flat construction method, meaning the knitter works from the lower edge upward on straight needles rather than in the round. The piece is created as a rectangular fabric before seaming, which allows for precise pattern placement and control. After completing the knitted fabric, the poncho is finished using the mattress stitch seaming technique, a professional method that creates nearly invisible seams by joining edges from the inside. This approach results in a polished, seamless appearance that enhances the garment's refined aesthetic.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Annabelle Poncho features two distinct stitch patterns that work together to create visual interest and texture:

• Garter Ridge Pattern: This foundational pattern uses basic knit and purl stitches in a four-row repeat. Rows alternate between knitting on the right side and purling on the wrong side, creating a subtle ridge texture that frames the central design. The Garter Ridge Pattern appears on both side edges of the poncho, providing structure and definition.
• Baby Eyelet Cables: The focal point of the design, this pattern combines cable work with delicate eyelet details. Working over a six-stitch multiple plus three stitches, the Baby Eyelet Cables pattern features a four-row repeat that includes knit and purl columns creating vertical lines, along with a decorative cable decrease and yarn over that produces small openwork eyelets. This creates an elegant, lacy cable texture that adds sophistication and movement to the piece.

The pattern instructions are written for two sizes, with the smaller size using 123 cast-on stitches and the larger size using 147 cast-on stitches. Stitch markers are used to clearly delineate where each pattern section begins and ends, ensuring accurate stitch placement throughout the project.

Materials and Tools

The Annabelle Poncho is designed to be knitted with Juniper Moon Farm Bluefaced Leicester yarn in color 12 Juniper, a beautiful natural fiber choice. The smaller size requires 5 hanks of 100g each, while the larger size requires 6 hanks, providing ample yardage for the generous dimensions of this poncho. Knitters will need US 7 (4.5mm) knitting needles or the appropriate size to achieve the required gauge of 24 stitches and 28 rows equaling 4 inches (10cm) in the Baby Eyelet Cables pattern when measured unblocked. Additional supplies include stitch markers to organize pattern sections and basic finishing tools for seaming and blocking.

Finishing and Blocking

Proper finishing is essential to achieving the intended drape and measurements of the Annabelle Poncho. After binding off, the knitted rectangle is blocked to the finished measurements, which helps even out the stitches and allows the yarn to relax into its final form. The seaming process uses mattress stitch to join the cast-on and bound-off edges according to the assembly diagram provided in the pattern, creating the poncho's characteristic shape. This careful finishing process ensures a professional appearance and optimal fit.