Oakham Poncho Cape Knitting Pattern

Oakham Poncho in Berroco Skye

What is Being Made

The Oakham Poncho is a women's knitted poncho designed by Alison Green. This garment is knit seamlessly from the top down in one piece, featuring a comfortable cowl neckline that transitions into a wider body. The poncho is sized to fit bust measurements from 32 to 60 inches, with finished lower edge measurements ranging from approximately 60½ to 75¾ inches around and lengths from 21 to 23 inches from hem to base of neck. The design is shown in Berroco Skye yarn in colorway #7625 Leo.

Techniques Used

This intermediate-level knitting project employs several key techniques. The poncho is constructed using the top-down method, beginning with a cast-on at the neckline and expanding outward through strategic increases. Circular needles in three different lengths (16-inch, 24-inch, and 36-inch) are used as the piece grows, allowing the knitter to accommodate an increasing number of stitches while maintaining in-the-round construction. The pattern incorporates stitch markers to help organize pattern repeats and identify the beginning of each round. Increases are worked into the established stitch patterns to maintain the integrity of the design as the garment expands.

Stitches Used

The Oakham Poncho features two primary stitch patterns:

• Granite Stitch: A textured stitch pattern worked over a multiple of 4 stitches plus 1. The pattern repeats over 4 rounds, alternating between knit and purl stitches to create a subtle, sophisticated texture. Rounds 1 and 2 work as knit 1, purl 3 across. Rounds 3 and 4 work as purl 2, knit 1, purl 1 across. This stitch provides visual interest and dimensional texture throughout the garment.
• Cable Chart: A cable pattern is worked over 62 stitches as a repeating element in the design, adding structural interest and a classic knitted aesthetic to the poncho.

The cowl section is established by working the Cable Chart and Granite Stitch patterns in alternating sections around the circumference, creating a balanced, symmetrical design.

Materials

This pattern calls for Berroco Skye yarn, a premium fiber from Berroco, Inc. The project requires 5 to 7 balls of yarn depending on size, with each ball weighing 50 grams. The specific colorway used in the shown sample is #7625 Leo. Knitting is worked on U.S. size 5 (3.75 mm) circular needles in three lengths: 16-inch, 24-inch, and 36-inch, allowing the knitter to comfortably work the increasing stitch counts as the poncho expands from the neckline. Four stitch markers are required, with one marker in a contrasting color to denote the beginning of each round. The recommended gauge is 28 stitches and 38 rounds per 4 inches when worked in Granite Stitch, and checking gauge before beginning is essential for achieving accurate finished measurements.