Stacy Charles Fine Yarns Chantal Poncho Top Knitting Pattern

Stacy Charles Fine Yarns Chantal Poncho Top

What is Being Made

The Chantal Poncho Top is a sophisticated layering piece designed by Beryl Hiatt and Lindy Ward. This knitted garment combines the ease of a poncho silhouette with structured tailoring, featuring a buttoned back closure and set-in sleeves. Available in three sizes—Small/Medium, Large/XL, and 2X/3X—the finished circumference ranges from 71½ to 84½ inches with a length of 22 inches, making it an elegant topper suitable for various occasions and body types.

Construction Techniques

The Chantal Poncho Top employs a bottom-up, seamed construction worked flat on straight needles. The garment is constructed in four separate pieces: a left front, right front, left back, and right back. This modular approach allows for precise shaping and easier management of the complex stitch patterns. After the front and back pieces are completed, the shoulder seams are sewn together, and sleeves are subsequently picked up and worked downward from the armhole openings. Back bands are then sewn together and finished with decorative button closures, adding both functional and aesthetic details to the design.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette Stitch (St st): The primary stitch throughout the body of the garment, created by knitting on the right side and purling on the wrong side to produce the classic smooth, V-textured fabric
• K1, P1 Rib: Used for ribbed edgings and bands, providing elasticity and a finished appearance at the neckline, cuffs, and back bands
• K2tog (Knit 2 Together): A decrease stitch used to shape the garment by reducing stitch count through the front loops, creating subtle shaping and design details

Materials and Gauge

The Chantal Poncho Top is knitted using Stacy Charles Fine Yarns luxury fibers in two coordinating yarns held together throughout. The primary yarn is S. Charles Collezione LUNA, a luxurious blend of 71% super kid mohair, 20% silk, and 9% lurex, available in color #27 starry night. This ethereal yarn requires 7 to 8 balls depending on size. The secondary yarn is S. Charles Collezione CRYSTAL, composed of 85% polyester and 15% cotton in the same starry night colorway, requiring 11 to 13 balls. Both yarns are worked as a single strand held together, creating a sophisticated blend of textures and sheen.

The pattern requires multiple needle sizes to achieve proper gauge and construction: size 6 (4mm) straight needles for the main fabric, size 2 (2.75mm) straight needles for ribbed sections, and size 2 (2.75mm) and size 1 (2.25mm) circular needles (24 inches long) for the neckband and back bands. The working gauge is 19 stitches and 26 rows over 4 inches in Stockinette stitch using the larger needles with one strand each of yarn A and B held together. Achieving proper gauge is essential for the correct finished measurements and fit of this garment.

Additional Notions

Beyond yarn and needles, the pattern requires stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and shaping points, a yarn needle for seaming and weaving in ends, and six buttons measuring 1 inch in diameter for the decorative back closure, adding a refined finishing touch to this elegant poncho top.