Louisa Harding Graphite Cape Knitting Pattern

Louisa Harding Graphite Knitted Poncho

What is Being Made

The Louisa Harding Graphite is a one-size knitted poncho designed as a circular garment worked from the neck downward. This versatile piece features generous dimensions with a shoulder circumference of 93 cm (36½ inches) that expands to a hem circumference of 206 cm (81 inches), creating a flowing silhouette. The finished length measures 63.5 cm (25 inches) from neckline to hem, making it suitable for layering over various garments.

Techniques Used

This poncho is constructed using several key knitting techniques that create both structure and visual interest:

• Seamless, worked in the round: The entire garment is knitted circularly using circular needles, eliminating the need for seaming and creating a continuous, professional finish.
• Bottom-up construction: While the poncho is worked from the neck downward, the circular method ensures even shaping throughout the piece.
• Striped colorwork: The design incorporates multiple yarn colors (Graphite as the main shade, with accent colors in Cheeky, Kiwi, and Acid) to create striped patterns throughout the garment.
• Increases for shaping: Strategic increases are worked at regular intervals to expand the circumference from the fitted neckline to the dramatically wider hem, creating the poncho's characteristic draped shape.

Stitches Used

The Graphite poncho employs fundamental knitting stitches combined with shaping techniques:

• Ribbing (P2, K4, P2): The neckline begins with a structured rib pattern that provides elasticity and a neat finished edge. This rib is worked for 30 rounds total, combining the initial rib setup with additional rounds in the main yarn.
• Stockinette stitch (st st): The body of the poncho is worked in stockinette stitch (knit every round), creating a smooth, classic fabric that showcases the striped colorwork.
• Yarn overs (yo): Yarn overs are incorporated as part of the increase sequences, adding decorative eyelet details while shaping the garment.
• Decreases (K2tog, SSK, SK2togP): Various decrease techniques are available for shaping, including knit two together, slip-slip-knit, and slip-knit-two-together-pass-slipped-stitch-over methods.
• Stitch markers: Multiple stitch markers are used throughout the pattern to track the beginning of rounds and mark increase points across the 10 pattern repeats.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Graphite poncho is photographed knitted in Louisa Harding Esquel yarn, a premium fiber choice that drapes beautifully in the poncho's generous silhouette. The colorway breakdown includes:

• 7 x 50g balls in shade 028 Graphite (main color)
• 1 x 50g ball in shade 022 Cheeky (accent)
• 1 x 50g ball in shade 024 Kiwi (accent)
• 1 x 50g ball in shade 023 Acid (accent)

The pattern requires three circular needles in different sizes to accommodate the changing stitch counts and fabric requirements:

• 5 mm (US 8) circular knitting needle for the initial ribbed neckline
• 6 mm (US 10) circular knitting needle for the main body stockinette sections
• 7 mm (US 10½) circular knitting needle for later shaping rounds

Additionally, 10 stitch markers are required to track the 10 pattern repeats throughout the circular construction.

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern specifies a gauge of 16 stitches by 24 rows over a 10 cm (4 inch) square measured in stockinette stitch using the 6 mm (US 10) circular needle. This gauge is essential for achieving the correct finished dimensions. The poncho is designed in one size and is photographed on a model of UK dress size 8 with a 30C bust measurement and 5'8" height, providing a reference for how the generous poncho drapes on an average frame.