731 Lake House Poncho - Knitting Pattern for Women in Valley Yarns Sunderland

731 Lake House Poncho - Knitting Pattern for Women

What is Being Made

The 731 Lake House Poncho is a women's knit poncho designed by Melissa LaBarre, offered in two size ranges: S/M to fit 32-40" bust and L/XL to fit 42-50" bust. This garment is a top-down construction that begins at the cowl neckline and expands downward to create a flowing, layered silhouette. The poncho style provides comfortable, relaxed coverage suitable for layering or wearing as a standalone piece.

Techniques Used

This pattern employs top-down construction, a popular technique that allows knitters to try on the garment as it progresses and easily adjust length. The poncho is worked in the round using circular needles, which creates seamless fabric and eliminates the need for seaming. The construction begins with a cowl neckline worked in circular garter stitch, which provides a textured, reversible fabric ideal for neckwear. The body transitions into stockinette stitch, the most fundamental knit fabric, creating a smooth, refined appearance. Increase techniques including m1L (make 1 left) and m1R (make 1 right) are used to shape the poncho's expansion from the neckline downward, with charted stitch patterns guiding placement and shaping throughout.

Stitches Used

• Knit (k) - the primary stitch forming the fabric
• Purl (p) - used in garter stitch sections of the cowl
• Knit 2 together (k2tog) - a right-leaning decrease
• Make 1 left (m1L) - an increase worked by inserting the left needle from front to back under the strand running between needles and working into the back of the new stitch
• Make 1 right (m1R) - an increase worked by inserting the left needle from back to front under the strand running between needles
• Slip marker (sm) - used to track pattern repeats and the beginning of round

Materials Required

The 731 Lake House Poncho is designed to be worked in Valley Yarns Sunderland, a luxury yarn composed of 100% baby alpaca. Yardage requirements are 8 skeins (872 yards) for sizes S/M and 10 skeins (1,090 yards) for sizes L/XL, with each skein weighing 50g and providing 109 yards. This DK weight yarn creates a lightweight, breathable fabric with excellent drape. Knitting is worked on US size 6 (4.00mm) circular needles in two lengths: a 16" needle for the cowl neckline and a 32" needle for the body. Additional materials include stitch markers, with one marker in a distinct color or type to clearly indicate the beginning of each round. The recommended gauge is 22 stitches and 28 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch, which is essential for achieving proper fit across the bust measurements.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as advanced beginner, making it suitable for knitters who have mastered basic techniques and are ready to tackle more complex shaping. The top-down, in-the-round construction and use of increase techniques require intermediate skills, while the straightforward stitch patterns and clear charted instructions make it accessible to those progressing beyond foundational projects.