Valley Yarns Astilbe Poncho Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Astilbe Poncho

What Is Being Made

The Astilbe Poncho is a luxurious layering piece designed by Julie Turjoman for Valley Yarns. This knitted poncho features an undulating botanical lace border and is constructed in two easy pieces, making it an accessible project despite its advanced beginner difficulty level. The finished poncho measures 18" L x 38" W in the smaller size, or 24" L x 46" W in the larger size, with length measured from the scalloped lace edge to the shoulder. The poncho is crafted from Valley Yarns Northfield yarn in the Azalea colorway, creating a sophisticated extra layer perfect for chilly evenings.

Yarn and Materials

This poncho is worked in Valley Yarns Northfield, a DK weight yarn blend consisting of 70% Merino Wool, 20% Baby Alpaca, and 10% Silk. The silk content provides a subtle sheen and luxurious hand with excellent drape characteristics. The pattern requires 10 skeins for the smaller size or 14 skeins for the larger size, with each skein weighing 50 grams and containing 124 yards. The yarn is worked in the Azalea colorway.

Needles and Tools

Construction requires US 6 (4.0 mm) circular needles in both 16" and 32" lengths, or the size needed to achieve proper gauge. Additional materials include stitch markers and a tapestry needle for seaming and finishing. The pattern specifies a gauge of 22 stitches and 28 rows over 4 inches when worked in Stockinette stitch on US Size 6/4.0 mm needles.

Knitting Techniques

The Astilbe Poncho employs several key knitting techniques appropriate for advanced beginners:

• Lace knitting: The poncho features an undulating botanical lace border, requiring yarn overs and decreases to create the decorative openwork pattern
• Worked flat: The poncho is constructed flat on circular needles rather than in the round, making it more manageable for complex stitch patterns
• Seamed construction: The two pieces are seamed together, allowing for easier pattern management and shaping
• Short-row shaping: The pattern incorporates wrap and turn (w&t) short-row shaping to create fitted shoulder shaping, with rows worked at decreasing stitch counts (K50, K40, K30, K20, K10) to gradually taper the garment
• Stockinette stitch: The primary stitch used throughout the body of the poncho

Stitches and Abbreviations

The pattern uses standard knitting abbreviations and stitches including knit (K), purl (P), yarn overs (Yo) for lace creation, knit three together (K3tog) and slip, knit two together, pass slipped stitch over (Sk2p) for decreases, and slip stitches (Sl) for edge definition. Reverse Stockinette stitch (Rev St st) may be used for specific sections. The pattern also employs wrap and turn techniques for short-row shaping to achieve the fitted shoulder area.