Here are 12 free poncho knitting patterns for both adults and children featuring a variety of knit stitches, colourwork and construction.
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, a poncho is “originally, in South America: a cloak made of an oblong piece of thick woollen cloth, with a slit in the middle for the head. Now frequently more widely: any garment in this style.“
Ponchos make great layering pieces. There are no sleeves to work through. Easy to put on and pull off.
They are also easy to knit too. Great for beginners.
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Adult Poncho Knitting Patterns
Caravan Poncho
Caravan poncho is designed by Alexandra Tavel.
The pattern is worked from the bottom up to the front. It is then divided into two for the head and neck opening. Once the head opening is done, the two sides are rejoined and worked all the way down for the back. The neckband is picked up afterwards and knitted up.
Alexandra uses 6 skeins Lion Brand Wool-Ease in Mushroom. Suitable yarn substitute is worsted weight. The length required is about 1080 metres. Needle sizes are US 10 or 6mm. I recommend using circular needles. The free web-based pattern can be found at Twoofwands.
Loose
Loose is a rectangular poncho designed by Siew Clark. She made this otherwise plain poncho more interesting by making one shoulder length longer than the other. She also made the back in garter stitch and the front stockinette stitch. The free PDF pattern is available at Ravelry.
Espenson
Espenson is designed by Cirilia Rose for Berroco.
Cirilia chose to use Berroco Linsey to make this poncho with size 8 or 5mm knitting needles. Gauge is 16 stitches by 22 rows to make a 4-inch square. She highly recommends checking the gauge.
It is a rectangular poncho but unlike the first two patterns listed here, the poncho is worn width-wise. Because of this, the colour stripes run from front to back instead of side to side. It is more flattering. This free PDF pattern can be found at Berroco as a pdf download.
Color Block Knit Poncho
This colour block knit poncho is designed by Brittany from https://www.bhookedcrochet.com/.
It features 3 coloured sections with a simple stitch pattern. It is worked in two identical panels, front and back. The two sides are then sewn together along the shoulders leaving a neck opening.
The knit stitch used here looks like a crochet stitch. Quite pleasing. Get the free PDF pattern from https://www.lovecrafts.com (affiliate link).
Chunky Poncho Sweater
This smart poncho is made up of 2 rectangular pieces. The designer Jennifer uses a simple 1×1 rib for the neck, shoulder and hem. Such a simple design element that also solved the problem of curling edges.
The recommended yarn is super bulky wool yarn that knits up in no time. Get the free pattern at Chunky Poncho Sweater: Must Have Now (bromefields.com). The ad-free version is available at Lovecrafts for 4.99.
Baby Poncho Knitting Patterns
Baby knitted ponchos are great layering pieces for young kids. There are no sleeves to work through. Easy to put on and pull off. The babies have space to move their limbs around.
Those with hoods can even protect the precious heads. If it is too hot, the hood can be removed and you don’t have to worry about losing them since they are attached to the poncho.
Bernat’s hooded baby poncho
This baby poncho is like a kiddy version of the little red riding hood. I think learning how to knit a hooded poncho would make me popular. Get the free pattern at Bernat.
Lionbrand’s hooded baby poncho
This hooded baby poncho is knitted from front to back. The neck opening is created by casting off and casting on more stitches. The hood is created by picking up stitches at the neck and the top of the hood is shaped by stitching by folding the top edge of the hood piece in half and stitching together.
The little pocket in the front is so cute. Get the free PDF pattern at Ravelry.
Little Peach Hooded Baby Poncho
Knitted from the top beginning with the hood. The hood is made up of garter stitch while the body is made up of stockinette stitch, ending with a moss stitch hem.
Garnstudio’s patterns are known to need a bit more time to understand but this is one of the simpler ones. Get the free PDF pattern at Garnstudio.
Two-colour poncho
What a unique baby poncho design. Classic looking. The usual poncho is knitted in the round, this one is knitted flat. The back and front pieces are knitted separately before being sewn together. The turtleneck collar is then knitted from picking up stitches. Get the free PDF pattern at Lionbrand.
Kaya’s Poncho
A sweet poncho with a crochet edging and a crochet flower brooch.
The poncho is knitted in 2 rectangles and joined together to form the poncho. The collar is made from picking up stitches and a single ribbing. Get the free web-based pattern at Knitinstyle.com.
Poncholino
This is the first poncho I came across that is made up of 2 garter stitch squares joined together. What a great idea because I like making garter stitch squares on a bias. LOL!
I would consider this the best project for a beginner. Unfortunately, the pattern isn’t in English but I don’t think this is a deal breaker. Make 2 of these to a suitable size and join them together. Embellish away. Get the free web-based pattern at Tricotting.com.
Kiddie Capelet
Although this pattern is titled the Kiddie capelet, it is actually more like a poncho. Knitted from the top to the bottom with yarn over eyelets.
The instructions are quite simple although I didn’t know what BOR mean. It doesn’t take too long to figure it out though. 🙂 The pattern might be straightforward but I really like it. A nice idea for a spring or autumn poncho. Get the free PDF pattern at Ravelry.
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Happy knitting
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