Rica Poncho Cape Knitting Pattern

Rica Poncho in Juniper Moon Farm Fourteen Paints

What is Being Made

The Rica Poncho is a versatile knitted cape-style garment designed to fit bust sizes from 33 to 48¾ inches (84 to 124 cm). This intermediate-level knitting project creates a finished poncho with a circumference ranging from 39½ to 55¼ inches (100 to 140 cm) and a length to shoulder of 18½ inches (47 cm). The poncho is worked sideways, making it an efficient construction method that builds the garment horizontally across the body.

Techniques Used

The Rica Poncho employs several key knitting techniques that contribute to its visual interest and structure. Cable knitting is the primary decorative technique, with two distinct cable patterns integrated throughout the design. The garment is constructed using the sideways knitting method, where stitches are cast on and worked horizontally across the width of the poncho rather than from top to bottom. This approach allows for strategic cable placement and creates a unique fabric flow. Blocking is an essential finishing technique used to shape the poncho to precise measurements after completion.

Stitches Used

The Rica Poncho utilizes a combination of fundamental and decorative stitches to achieve its finished design:

• Garter Stitch: Forms the base fabric and fills the majority of the poncho. Garter stitch is created by knitting every row, producing a textured, reversible fabric with horizontal ridges.
• Cable Pattern 1: A 16-stitch repeat worked over 16 rows on the right side. This pattern features a C16F cable cross (slip 8 stitches onto a cable needle and leave at front, knit 8, then knit 8 from cable needle) on row 3, with knit stitches on row 1 and purl stitches on row 2, repeated six times throughout the 16-row sequence.
• Cable Pattern 2: A smaller 4-stitch repeat worked over 6 rows on the wrong side. This pattern incorporates a C4B cable cross (slip 2 stitches onto a cable needle and leave at back, knit 2, then knit 2 from cable needle) on row 2, with purl stitches on rows 1, 3, and 5, and knit stitches on rows 4 and 6.

Materials

The Rica Poncho is crafted using Juniper Moon Farm Fourteen Paints yarn in color 105 Gladiola. The pattern requires 5 to 7 balls of 50-gram weight yarn, depending on the size selected. Knitters will need US 10/6mm knitting needles (or the appropriate size to achieve the specified gauge) and a cable needle for executing the cable crosses. The recommended gauge is 16 stitches and 24 rows to 4 inches (10 cm) measured over garter stitch using US 10/6mm needles, ensuring proper fit and fabric drape across all five available sizes.