Penrose Poncho Cape Knitting Pattern

Penrose Poncho in Berroco Cambria

What Is Being Made

The Penrose Poncho is a knitted cape-style garment designed by Alison Green and featured in Berroco Book #414. This intermediate-level project creates a sophisticated poncho with finished measurements of approximately 29½ (34½, 39¼, 44½, 49¼)" across and 23½" long, offering multiple sizing options to accommodate different body types. The poncho is constructed as a single piece with charted colorwork patterns and is ideal for layering over other garments.

Knitting Techniques Used

The Penrose Poncho employs several intermediate knitting techniques that make it suitable for knitters with some experience. The garment is worked flat on circular needles rather than in the round, beginning with a cast-on and working in rows from the back piece outward. The construction uses charted colorwork patterns that are worked simultaneously on multiple sections of the garment, requiring the knitter to follow two separate charts while maintaining stockinette stitch in the center panel. Stitch markers are essential for tracking pattern repeats and section divisions throughout the project. The pattern also incorporates shoulder shaping and neck shaping through strategic bind-offs, demonstrating intermediate-level garment construction skills.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The primary stitch pattern used in the Penrose Poncho is stockinette stitch (St st), which forms the foundation of the garment and creates a smooth, classic fabric. The design features charted colorwork patterns worked on the front and back sections, with Chart 1 and Chart 2 creating visual interest through color changes. The charted patterns are worked over 11 rows, establishing a repeating design element. The center panel between the charted sections is worked in plain stockinette stitch, allowing the colorwork to frame and highlight the garment's silhouette. This combination of stockinette stitch and charted colorwork creates a balanced design that is visually striking without being overly complex.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Penrose Poncho is designed to be worked with Berroco Cambria yarn in the colorway #7907 Beech. Berroco Cambria is a worsted-weight yarn, with each hank weighing 50 grams. Depending on the size selected, the project requires 7 to 12 hanks of yarn, allowing knitters to choose the quantity based on their desired finished dimensions. The pattern calls for a 29" circular needle in size 8 (5.00 mm) for the main body and a 16" circular needle in size 7 (4.50 mm) for finishing sections. Additional notions include 4 stitch markers for tracking pattern sections and waste yarn for holding stitches during construction. The recommended gauge is 20 stitches and 27 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch and charted pattern, making gauge checking essential before beginning the project to ensure accurate finished measurements.