Tahki Yarns Hawthorne Hooded Poncho Knitting Pattern

Tahki Yarns Hawthorne Hooded Poncho

What Is Being Made

The Hawthorne Hooded Poncho is a knitted cape-style garment designed by John Brinegar. This hooded poncho combines a structured body with an integrated hood, creating a versatile layering piece. The poncho features a generous circumference at the lower edge, ranging from 72 to 80 inches depending on size, with a length that varies from 27½ to 30½ inches across the three available size options: Small/Medium, Large/XL, and 2X/3X.

Techniques Used

The construction of the Hawthorne Hooded Poncho employs several fundamental knitting techniques. The pattern utilizes blocking to shape the finished pieces to specified measurements, ensuring proper fit and drape. Seaming is a critical assembly technique, with longer side edges of side panels sewn to the back panel, and shorter side edges sewn to the front panel while leaving 6-inch openings for hand access. The hood pieces are sewn together along the top and back edges, then attached around the neck edge. Decreasing techniques are incorporated throughout the hood sections to create shaping, using methods such as knit 2 together and slip-slip-knit decreases to reduce stitch counts progressively.

Stitches Used

The Hawthorne Hooded Poncho employs multiple stitch patterns to create visual interest and texture:

• Stockinette Stitch – The primary stitch used for the main body panels, created by knitting on right-side rows and purling on wrong-side rows, producing the classic smooth, V-textured fabric
• Garter Stitch – Used for the front edge trim and hood finishing, created by knitting every row on both sides to produce a textured, reversible fabric
• Welt Stitch – A decorative stitch pattern that alternates between knit and purl rows in a specific sequence (knit, purl, knit, purl, purl, knit over six rows), creating horizontal ridges
• Broken Rib Stitch – Referenced in the pattern as a stitch option, worked over a multiple of 2 stitches

Materials and Gauge

The Hawthorne Hooded Poncho is constructed using Tahki Yarns BIG MONTANA, a luxurious yarn composed of 100% pure wool roving. The yardage requirements are 10 hanks for Small/Medium, 11 hanks for Large/XL, and 12 hanks for 2X/3X, with each hank providing 71 yards of fiber and weighing 3.5 ounces (100 grams). The pattern calls for size 15 (10 mm) needles, though adjustments may be necessary to achieve the correct gauge. The required gauge is 9 stitches and 12 rows over 4 inches (10 centimeters) in Stockinette stitch. A yarn needle is needed for weaving in ends and seaming the finished pieces together. Checking gauge before beginning is emphasized as essential to ensure proper fit and finished measurements.