Archer's Poncho / Katniss Cowl by 12 Little Things

Archer's Poncho / Katniss Cowl

Knitting
March 2014
Super Bulky (5-6 wpi) ?
US 50 - 25.0 mm
US 35 - 19.0 mm
US 17 - 12.0 mm
9.0 mm (M/N)
848 - 954 yards (775 - 872 m)
One Size Fits Most
English
This pattern is available for C$6.89 CAD buy it now

FINISHED SIZE
This poncho will fit someone with the following dimensions, and with room to give either way: Head: 20.5 in, Bust: 38 in, Shoulder 43 in, Waist 31 in.


THE TRIANGLE
Where it says “Repeat rows 1-4 five more times” it should actually say “Repeat rows 3-4 five more times”. The finished piece should end with 17 stitches. Make sure you only do the increases on the odd numbered rows (1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13) - and you should only be increasing when you reach the last 3 stitches of each of those rows.


THE DIMENSIONS:

Cowl: 50” (L) x 5” (W)
Sash: 24” (L) for the longer edge / 15”(L) for the shorter edge x 5” (W)
Triangle: 7” x 7” x 6”


THE STITCH: Regarding the knitting, New Stitch A Day gives a fantastic demonstration on how to knit this stitch (also known as the Herringbone stitch). Please have a look and let me know if it helps clear it up for you:
newstitchaday.com/horizontal-herringbone-stitch/


THE VIDEOS: I strongly advise viewing the video links that are included with this pattern. Please note that I refer to the Poncho as the Huntress Cowl in my videos, but have since changed the name.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-x3dafi2UnI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uZb7tdqVvk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6ZNgkydDQg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdPt1r9QOdI


THE NEEDLES: Regarding the US50 (1”) and US35 (3/4”) straight needles, I actually ended up making my needles as most of the ones you can find in stores such as Michaels are only 14” long, which is not long enough for the cowl portion of the poncho.

40” circular should work just fine, as my homemade straight needles are approximately 23” each.

However, if you are feeling adventurous, to make your own needles, you will need the following items (I bought mine at Home Depot - I’m in BC):

- One 48” long 1” diameter dowel (cut in half at the store)
- One 48” long 3/4” diameter dowel (cut in half at the store)
- A wood chisel similar to this one: http://www.homedepot.ca/product/side-strike-chisel/953832
- Sandpaper

I then shaved down each dowel at one end into the shape of a needle (or pencil). Once I had the shape I wanted, I smoothed it out with the sandpaper. It’s important to make the tips as smooth as possible otherwise your yarn will snag as you knit.


THE COLLAR: If you would like to have a lighter collar and/or reduce the amount of yarn you have to use, please feel free to use only a single strand of yarn when finger-knitting your cords.


By now you’ve probably heard the story. Passionate knitter watches the second movie in the Hunger Games trilogy and all she can remember or talk about is the incredible cowl/vest that Katniss Everdeen wears in the opening scenes. That was me - and all I could think about for the first half of the film was that cowl/vest. I was dissecting it and wishing I could start experimenting with various stitches and patterns right there in the theatre!

I’ve since spent countless hours replicating the cowl/vest that I now lovingly refer to as the Archer’s Poncho. Although the original piece was woven, I believe I have created a beautiful imitation piece.

Finger knitting, needle knitting and crochet are all lovingly put into each cowl vest. Created using double strands throughout, this sturdy cowl/vest can be worn as a sweater or as a second layer over your lighter winter jackets.