Hey guys,
Today I’m sharing a new pattern with you – the Pembina Poncho. Click here to go straight to the pattern or continue reading for more info + a pattern coupon code!
This post contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own. Any purchases made will help support Knits ‘N Knots blog content.
About
The Pembina Poncho is a 2-tone poncho with a loose-fitting turtleneck. I was asked to design a poncho using Lion Brand’s Touch of Alpaca and this is the design I came up with! (This pattern is now available on the LB website as a crochet kit HERE.) I wanted to use the waffle stitch but it’s too chunky of a stitch to use on the entire thing.. so I opted for just the bottom section, with regular double crochet along the top so that it’s loose enough a stitch to drape over the shoulders, and a turtleneck – because a poncho isn’t complete without a turtleneck if you ask me!
This pattern is part of my Double Crochet All Day collection which releases in early 2020. I’m giving you a sneak peek of 3 pieces before the collection releases: Pembina Poncho, Double Crochet All Day Raglan, Autumn Stripes Raglan.
If you enjoyed making my Rosebud Poncho, you’ll love this one! It’s got a similar construction but you get to play around with some new stitches. This was actually my first time ever using the waffle stitch, and this is my first pattern that uses post stitches!
Naming patterns can be so challenging because literally every name you could possibly imagine has already been taken. It takes me forever to choose a name – I sit here thinking of random topics I could dive into in order to find interesting words, I look at other languages, I read song lyrics.. it takes me forever. This time, I came up with Pembina Poncho because I was searching for ski resorts in Alberta and the word Pembina came up. “Pembina” is also Route 42 in Winnipeg – a major highway connecting the city. We used to live off Pembina when I was in University so I thought I’d just go with Pembina since it’s got a dual meaning.
I would wear this exactly as shown in the photos. I’ve got my jet black Levi’s, a long-sleeve black shirt and black dressy boots with a couple inches of heel. I like to dress crochet pieces up. In my head, this poncho already looks casual, so I want to fancy her up a bit. You know what I mean? That’s also why I added the turtleneck – it adds a more polished look so that it’s not just 2 rectangles sewn together. It looks more finished with it.
Construction
I made this poncho over the course of a few days. I made the 2 waffle sections while watching Erin Brockovich (anyone else remember exactly what they were doing when you look at your finished pieces??) and made the top sections during a few sessions. I have to give myself breaks when I’m doing all one stitch – the top portion of the front and back panels here are all just double crochet with no increases or decreases.
Stitches Used: The bottom section uses the waffle stitch (which is double crochet using post stitches), the top is regular double crochet, and the cowl is single crochet.
This was my first time ever using post stitches in my work, which is kind of crazy. I just never really liked the way they look, but I love the effect they give when making the waffle stitch! It adds such a fun texture while still keeping it a beginner-friendly piece. It’s crazy that it’s all double crochet but the stitches look so different.
The panels are worked bottom-up, then the cowl is made + seamed, then it’s all seamed together along the tops of the shoulders. Make sure not to work this seam too tightly or else your shoulders will be stiff and stick straight out instead of draping gently over your body like they’re meant to.
Yarn
I used Touch of Alpaca from Lion Brand. I’ve used this yarn before, and I’m a big fan. My Granny Cluster Triangle Scarf pattern also uses Touch of Alpaca. I’m also working on a commissioned sweater pattern with this yarn that will be available in March. Some Michael’s carry this yarn, but since I’ve moved to Alberta, I’ve noticed my new Michael’s in Red Deer does not carry Touch of Alpaca. I got the yarn shown here from the Lion Brand website.
Pattern is written for 4 sizes: S/M (L/XL, 2X/3X, 4X/5X).
PS the entire site is 40% off with code DEC40.
If you want to pick up yarn for this project, you’ll need:
4 (4, 4, 5) skeins of Colour A (bottom colour) – Olive
665 (745, 800, 860 yds)
5 (6, 6, 6) skeins of Colour B (top colour + cowl) – Taupe
990 (1100, 1155, 1235) yds
Shop yarn here.
Shop the kit, which includes all the yarn + pattern, here.
Touch of Alpaca is a worsted weight yarn, and you could use any worsted weight yarn you’d like. It doesn’t have to be the same fiber content. Use whatever you’d like, just do a few swatches to make sure that you’re happy with the drape. You don’t want it to be too stiff – if it feels stiff, you can go up a hook size or try a thinner yarn.
You can find the pattern in these places:
On my website here.
On Ravelry here.
On Etsy here.
In the crochet kit here.
(Use the code “PATTERN10” for 10% off all patterns)
I can’t wait to see your WIPs! Make sure to tag me @knitsnknotswpg and use the pattern hashtag #PembinaPoncho so that everyone can see your projects!
Happy crocheting,
Janine xx
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