Shibui Knits Lyon Cape Knitting Pattern

Shibui Knits Lyon Poncho

What is Being Made

The Lyon Poncho is a versatile knitted garment designed by Shibui Knits that transitions seamlessly between day and night wear. During the day, it functions as a scarf, while in the evening it can be worn as a full poncho. This one-size design measures 20 inches in width and 35 inches in length, making it an elegant layering piece suitable for various occasions from power meetings to gallery events and dinner outings.

Construction Method

Lyon is constructed using a bottom-up, worked-flat approach with seaming. The poncho begins with a Tubular Cast-On technique, which creates a professional, finished edge. The piece is knit flat in rows rather than in the round, and seaming is used to join sections together. Garter Stitch selvedges are established along the sides to mark and facilitate the seaming edges, ensuring clean and secure joins.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Lyon Poncho features several key stitch elements:

• Stockinette Stitch forms the main fabric body, creating a smooth, classic knitted surface
• 1×1 Ribbing provides structure and elasticity, worked in alternating knit and purl stitches
• Garter Stitch selvedges are worked along the side edges to create defined seaming lines
• Slipped Stitch Edging is used for finishing details, with stitches slipped purlwise to create a neat, professional edge

The slipped stitch edging technique involves slipping stitches purlwise with yarn in front on right-side rows and yarn in back on wrong-side rows, creating a polished finish.

Techniques Used

This intermediate-level pattern employs several important knitting techniques:

• Tubular Cast-On creates an invisible, professional starting edge using waste yarn
• Yarn-over increases (yo) are used to shape the fabric
• Slipped stitch edging provides a refined border finish
• Tubular Bind-Off completes the piece with a seamless, elastic closure
• Blocking is recommended to set the finished dimensions and even out the fabric

Materials and Gauge

The Lyon Poncho is designed to be knit in Shibui Knits Pebble, a premium yarn blend consisting of 48% Recycled Silk, 36% Fine Merino, and 16% Cashmere. This luxurious fiber combination provides softness, drape, and sustainability. The pattern requires 7 skeins of Pebble, with each skein containing 224 yards at 25 grams.

The recommended gauge is 26 stitches and 42 rows over 4 inches in Stockinette Stitch after blocking, using 1 strand of Pebble yarn. Achieving proper gauge is essential for obtaining the finished dimensions of 20 inches wide by 35 inches long.

Tools and Notions

The following tools are required to complete the Lyon Poncho:

• Size 2.5 (3 mm) needles for the Tubular Cast-On and ribbing sections
• Size 3 (3.25 mm) needles for the main Stockinette Stitch body
• Waste yarn for the Tubular Cast-On technique
• Locking stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and shaping
• Blocking wires (recommended) for shaping and finishing
• Tapestry needle for seaming and weaving in ends

Skill Level

The Lyon Poncho is rated as an Intermediate level pattern. Knitters should be comfortable with fundamental techniques including Stockinette Stitch, ribbing, yarn-overs, and seaming. The Tubular Cast-On and Tubular Bind-Off techniques add complexity but are essential for achieving the professional, finished appearance characteristic of Shibui Knits designs. Tutorial resources for these techniques are available on the Shibui Knits website.