Universal Yarn Relevé Cape Knitting Pattern

Universal Yarn Relevé Poncho

What Is Being Made

The Relevé Poncho is a rectangular knit accessory designed as a versatile layering piece for any woman's wardrobe. Measuring 36 inches wide by 27½ inches long, this one-size poncho can be thrown over a top or dress for both style and warmth. The design draws inspiration from ballet, with its panels of different stitches reminiscent of a dancer moving through pliés and relevés during ballet class—creating a rhythmic visual pattern that mirrors the meditative quality of knitting itself.

Techniques Used

The Relevé Poncho is constructed using bottom-up construction, meaning you begin knitting from the bottom edge and work upward to completion. The garment is worked flat on circular needles, which allows you to accommodate the large number of stitches required for the wide rectangular shape. The finished poncho is then seamed together to create the final wearable piece. This straightforward construction method makes the project accessible while the stitch pattern work provides visual interest and complexity.

Stitches Used

The Relevé Poncho features multiple stitch techniques that create its distinctive paneled appearance:

• Seed Stitch: A fundamental textured stitch created by alternating knit and purl stitches in a checkerboard pattern, worked over a 25-stitch repeat across right-side and wrong-side rows
• Right Purl Twist (RPT): A decorative twisted stitch created by knitting two stitches together without slipping them from the needle, then purling the first stitch again before slipping both stitches off
• Left Twist (LT): A mirror-image twisted stitch worked by knitting the second stitch on the left needle through the back loop, then knitting the first stitch through the front loop before slipping both stitches off
• Left Purl Twist (LPT): A variation that combines purling and twisting techniques for additional textural variety
• K1, P1 Twisted Rib: A ribbed pattern using knit and purl stitches with twisted knit stitches (knit through the back loop) to create a refined, elastic edge

These varied stitches work together across the 25-stitch repeat pattern to create the visual rhythm that evokes ballet movement.

Materials

The Relevé Poncho is knit in Universal Yarn Odette, a premium blend yarn composed of 61% superwash fine merino, 22% nylon, and 17% alpaca. This fiber combination provides softness, durability, and easy care. The yarn is worked at a gauge of 22 stitches and 25 rows over 4 inches in Seed stitch. You will need 7 skeins of Universal Yarn Odette in French Blue (50g/241 yards per skein). The pattern calls for US Size 7 (4.5 mm) circular needles measuring 40 inches or longer to accommodate the large stitch count required for the 36-inch width. Additional notions include a tapestry needle for seaming and stitch markers to help track pattern repeats.