Scroll down for the free pattern, or you may find the kit for purchase on the Lion Brand Website here, or choose to purchase the ad-free, printable PDF version from my Etsy shop HERE.
Introducing a cozy, textured, simple poncho knitting pattern which is part of my Hygge Winter Collection! I love this poncho for cozy days by the fire, strolls around town or to throw on after a day of skiing in the high country. It’s made with super bulky yarn and big needles so you can make it pretty quickly. The poncho’s also surprisingly light to wear even though it’s chunky and warm. 🙂 You guys might also remember a couple of other chunky ponchos I’ve designed like the Driftwood Hooded Poncho and the beginner Aspen Knit Poncho. They are so fun to make!
This project was actually inspired by a poncho that my mother gave me which she got from Italy. The Italian version is entirely cream colored (you know me – love cream) and features a cowl neck with a seed stitch texture and fringe. The Vail Ski Knit Poncho has the same type of cozy cowl neck with texture AND eyelets to add dimension and character. I also added a few colors into the mix so it features a simple color block design with the colors charcoal, slate and wheat.
Knitting, chunky yarn, sweet bobbles and eyelets + winter = Soooooo cozy!
The knit stitch pattern is very easy and also simple to memorize as it’s just four rows. You will be working basic knit and purl stitches and knitting two together. There’s one special stitch which is a “Make 1”, or “m1”. For this stitch, you will be increasing by knitting into the front of the strand just worked and the next stitch. This will add a stitch. There are a lot of various instructions online for what “m1” means, but you’ve got to use this method for the pattern to turn out correctly. 🙂
Reading by the fire in a comfy poncho – yes please. 😉 And do you ski? Isn’t it the best to pull off your ski boots after the day and get in your comfy clothes to relax. Ahhh…
You’ll knit this poncho by making two matching rectangular panels and then seam them to finish. So easy! The cowl is also knit flat, so no need to be intimidated if you don’t know how to knit in the round.
The colors even remind me of winter, cold & ice. Love this time of year.
Okay, let’s get to this cold weather poncho knitting pattern!
See the free pattern below, or you may also purchase the printable, ad-free version from Etsy HERE
Vail Ski Poncho Knitting Pattern
Pattern Description: Like wearing a warm hug, this comfortable, cowl neck poncho is sure to keep you cozy. Understated bobbles meet beautiful eyelets to give the piece it’s unique texture. The simple knit pattern works up easily and the basic shapes make it easy for new knitters. Perfect for whether you just finished a day of skiing or you need a cozy cover up for your evening strolls.
Skill Level: Beginner +
Materials:
US 17 (12.0mm) 24” circular knitting needles
3 Lion Brand Yarn Wool Ease Thick & Quick in Wheat (170 g / skein)
3 Lion Brand Yarn Wool Ease Thick & Quick in Slate (170 g / skein)
1 Lion Brand Yarn Wool Ease Thick & Quick in Charcoal (170 g / skein)
(Pattern uses approximately 915 g of yarn total)
Scissors
Tapestry Needle
Dimensions (approximate):
One size fits most
Bust circumference: 64”
Width: 32”
Length: 22”
Abbreviations & Skills:
k – knit
p – purl
m1 – Make 1 – increase by 1 stitch by knitting into the front of the strand between stitch just worked and next stitch.
RS – right side
WS – wrong side
Gauge:
Not important for this pattern
Notes:.
This poncho is made by knitting two rectangular panels from the bottom up. The panels are then seamed together at the shoulders. The cowl neck is also knit flat and seamed to finish. Note the special directions for the m1 abbreviation within the pattern.
Pattern Instructions
With Charcoal, cast on 60 stitches
Rows 1 – 6 Knit across each row (60 stitches in each row)
Row 7 K5, *k2tog; rep from * to last 5, k5. (35 stitches)
Row 8 K5, * (k1,m1); rep from * to last 5, k5. (60)
Row 9 Knit each st across row (60)
Row 10 K5, purl to last 5, k5 (WS row) (60)
CC to Slate
Row 11 Repeat row 7
Row 12 Repeat row 8
Row 13 Repeat row 9
Row 14 Repeat row 10
Next, repeat this stitch pattern, repeating rows 7 – 10, in that order, until entire piece measures 15” long or this Slate section is approximately 12” long (ending on a WS row)
CC to Wheat
Repeat the stitch pattern from rows 7 – 10 until the entire piece is approximately 22” long (this Wheat section should be approximately 7” long)
Cast off and weave in ends
Repeat above pattern one more time to create second panel.
Cowl Neck Collar Pattern
With Wheat, cast on 16 stitches
Knit across each row until piece measures 24”
Cast off and weave in ends.
Next, with a tapestry needle and length of yarn, fold the piece in half and seam the short ends together to create the cowl neck.
Assembly Instructions:
Place rectangular panels with wrong sides facing one another and the color Charcoal at the bottom. Place cowl in center at the top of the poncho and pin in place if necessary. With a tapestry needle and yarn, whip stitch seam the cowl to the two panels. Next, seam the shoulders to finish the top of the poncho. You might find it easier to first seam the shoulders and then sew the cowl onto the poncho. Either method will work!
Pictured Below:
The panels are placed together and seamed. The cowl neck collar is also sewn to the top of the poncho.
Each panel measures approximately 32” wide and 22” long
And that’s all there is to it!
I hope you guys enjoyed this project – it’s been a while since a new knit project has hit the blog. Thanks for your patience my fellow knitters! You know that knitting isn’t a speed sport. 😉
XO
Jessica
Oh, and if you like this, you can follow along as I release all of the Winter Hygge Collection knit and crochet patterns over the next several weeks! Sign up for my email (HERE) or follow along on social media. 🙂
Love this stitch. Must try over the holidays.
I love that stitch. I’m going to make it in a little lighter weight with perhaps the wool ease instead of the thick and quick. With a good swatch and a little math it should be easy to adapt this.Thanks again for another great design.
Donna! Please share your calculations. I would also like a lighter version as well!
Hi Donna.
Would love your calculations or your advise or any one who reads this please.
I am going to use 6mm needles instead of 12mm. So instead of 60 stitches am going to do 180 to make it a bit bigger. What do you think?
Hi all.
Have just started knitting this gorgeous ponch.
Only cast on 120 stitches using double knit wool & 6mm needles. Looks plenty wide enough for my size – uk 16.
Hope this helps anyone using thinner wool.
Have started knitting this gorgeous poncho.
Used 6mm needles,double knit wool & 120 stitches.
Looks a good for my size uk 16. Hope this helps 🙂
Love the look of this poncho!
This is beautiful! I’m going to try it!!
Awesome Susan! Let me know if you have any questions.
This is really cool! I love all the ponchos
Also, I’m glad your finger is getting better!
How do y’all think it would be in Honespun for a drapery-er effect?
I love this I have so Lion Brand think and quick in my stash….and my size 17 needles are free!
Thrilled that you like it!
Love this pattern. Do you have any knitting tutorials?
I love this! Is it reversible?
Jess
I soooo love this pattern and the colors….I want to drop the three other patterns I’m working on so diligently…….I see only one drawback – I won’t be able to wear it out of my house or let friends and family see it……I’ll be makin’ them for the rest of my life!
Heck, I can live with just wearing it for hubby and the family hound lol….jess
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Lol! You’re cracking me up Jess. XO So happy you like it – and that you think your friends and family would too. 😉
I love the overall look and stitch of this pattern. I have several colors of Lionbrand Thick and quick in my stash and going to try a different color combination. Thank you so much Jessica for taking time to make this pattern so classy and easy!
Love it as I have been looking for one with a cowl. Definitely have to knit this one
Thanks!
I have been looking for a different project to work on and this is the one. Have a feeling I am going to get some requests from my daughters once this is completed.
I’m so happy you like this one, Penny!
Love love LOVE all your patterns and so excited to try this one!!!!
I couldnt find circulars with 24, only the next length up…is that going to mess it up with the cord being a bit longer?
(My goal for this year is to learn to crochet too so I can try those patterns!)
Thanks for sharing your amazing work!!!
Yes – you can use 24″ or longer!
I’m knitting this gorgeous poncho in a lovely greige yarn with tweedy flecks in it. The texture of the stitch pattern is lovely. It’s easy to knit.
I’m making the poncho less voluminous, and using just this one color. I love the original idea of color blockning but due to my petite stature I’m using just one color. This is a very easy pattern to alter, to make bigger or smaller. Don’t hesitate to try!
Love to hear this Mila! The greige will be gorgeous!
Hi! I’m knitting the cowl snd not certain how the cowl attaches. Is it the 24” side to the neck of the front and back panels?
Sorry, maybe I’m over complicating this
Ok, feel completely silly, one piece for cowl, jeez! And they actually gave me a drivers license
Love this pattern. I see several Christmas gift ideas solved for 2019. My sisters will love this poncho! Thank you so much for this Poncho pattern. Look forward to your newsletter. Thank you! Jacque Dooley
I am having a hard time doing the m1stich for the Vail poncho.
Hello,
Can you please tell me if the m1 is left or right?
good grief I forgot to mention which pattern!! Is the m1 left or right for the vail poncho?
Hi Tracy! It’s not your typical M1 – you knit the “bar” between the stitch that you just knit and the next stitch. Does that make sense?
I am starting the Vail Ski Poncho. The m1 is always confusing to me….is this a m1l or m1r?