ALBA PONCHO

The Alba Poncho is a generously draped, buttoned poncho worked flat as one rectangular piece. Broad blocks of navy, brown and burgundy are crossed by fine natural-white and burnt-orange lines, creating a softly structured plaid.

The horizontal color blocks are worked using intarsia as the rectangle is knitted. The six vertical lines are added afterwards with surface crochet along recessed purl columns. Integrated seed-stitch borders frame the fabric and form the buttoned shoulder edge.

Once finished, the rectangle is folded in half and fastened with buttons along one long edge, leaving an opening beside the fold for the neck. The result is deliberately asymmetric and is worn diagonally across the torso and upper arms.

The pattern first explains the general construction, intarsia technique, stitch arrangement and buttonholes. The main color section is then presented in a separate row-by-row table for each size, including every RS and WS row, color change and buttonhole placement.

SIZES

1 (2) 3 (4)

The sizes correspond approximately to:

Size 1: XS
Size 2: S–M
Size 3: L–XL
Size 4: 2XL–3XL

These conventional size labels are only a starting point. The poncho is intentionally generous, and its fit is determined by the dimensions and drape of the complete rectangle rather than by bust circumference alone.

The Size 2 sample is shown on a person who is 162 cm / 5 ft 4 in tall and usually wears size S.

If you find it difficult to visualize the measurements, you can mark the width and full length on a bedsheet, blanket or another piece of fabric, fold it in half and drape it over your shoulders. This is an optional way to compare the sizes and see how the length and arm coverage feel on your own body.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Width:
71.8 (75.3) 78.8 (82.4) cm
28.3 (29.6) 31 (32.4) in

Full length before folding:
144.6 (155.4) 169.2 (183.1) cm
56.9 (61.2) 66.6 (72.1) in

Approximate neck-opening circumference:
48.4 (48.4) 53 (59.3) cm
19.1 (19.1) 20.9 (23.3) in

GAUGE

17 sts × 26 rows = 10 × 10 cm / 4 × 4 in in stockinette stitch after blocking.

Both stitch and row gauge affect the finished dimensions. Make a generous swatch, block it and allow it to hang for a while before taking the final row-gauge measurement.

YARN

Viking Garn Alpaca Bris
60% baby alpaca, 11% merino wool, 29% nylon
150 m / 164 yd per 50 g

The sample uses:

Color A: Navy
Color B: Brown
Color C: Burgundy
Color D: Burnt orange
Color E: Natural white

Each yarn is worked as a single strand. An airy blown yarn with a similar gauge and drape is recommended.

APPROXIMATE YARN REQUIREMENTS

Color A:
695 (780) 885 (970) m / 760 (853) 968 (1061) yd
5 (6) 7 (7) balls

Color B:
185 (205) 245 (285) m / 202 (224) 268 (312) yd
2 (2) 2 (2) balls

Color C:
160 (180) 210 (255) m / 175 (197) 230 (279) yd
2 (2) 2 (2) balls

Color D:
50 (55) 55 (65) m / 55 (60) 60 (71) yd
1 (1) 1 (1) ball

Color E:
40 (45) 45 (55) m / 44 (49) 49 (60) yd
1 (1) 1 (1) ball

Approximate total yardage:
1130 (1265) 1440 (1630) m
1236 (1383) 1575 (1783) yd

NEEDLES AND HOOK

4.5 mm / US 7 circular needle, 80–100 cm / 32–40 in long, or the needle size needed to obtain gauge

5 mm / US H-8 crochet hook, or a hook size that allows you to work relaxed surface-crochet stitches without gathering the fabric

OTHER MATERIALS

14 stitch markers
Tapestry needle
7 (8) 9 (10) buttons, approximately 20–25 mm / ¾–1 in diameter
Sewing needle and strong matching thread for attaching the buttons
Safety pins for temporarily securing the folded edges and checking the button placement

TECHNIQUES

Knitting flat
Seed stitch
Stockinette stitch
Intarsia
Buttonholes
Surface crochet
Blocking and assembly

Pattern language: English

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