Easy Poncho/Blanket/Scarf for In-Between Seasons

When you want something light to add warmth around you, try this easy and quick to knit lace piece you can wear as poncho, blanket, or scarf.

I was planning on knitting a light, medium sized blanket, and was looking for a lace pattern that is interesting to repeat for a large area but not so complicated that I had to be glued to the stitch pattern all the time.

Then, once I started knitting, like in the Accidental Poncho Blanket project, I realized I could make it a lap blanket and poncho by adding a neck opening in the middle and two buttons/loops on the sides. Because the lace pattern makes this a light-weight piece, I also tried folding it horizontally and inserting one end to the neck hole – and it’s a scarf as well!

Beautiful lace pattern that won’t drive you crazy

I have often been in search of interesting and manageable lace patterns for knitting light wraps/shawls/blankets for in-between seasons when you want something light and cozy around your skin.

Lace stitches for bulky weight yarns

I realize it may not be for everyone – I LOVE lace patterns and use them often, sometimes for the entire fabric, or partially, like neck, sleeves, front panel, hems, etc. I particularly like incorporating lace in bulky weight yarns, such as this poncho or a “turtle neck” for a super bulky sweater to keep the piece feeling too heavy.

The turtle neck is a simple repeat of yarn-over/knit two together on Malabrigo Rasta – I fell in love with this yarn when I restarted knitting several years ago, tried creating a few pieces, and finally settled on a bulky raglan sweater with partial lace neck. I like the way it gently cradles my neck.

I found sleeves are easy yet effective parts of the garment to experiment with lace patterns. As you are creating, if you don’t like the pattern, it’s easier to re-do and try something else than redoing the body. Lace Sleeve Diagonal Top (worsted) and Lithe and Light Easy Raglan Tunic Dress (sport) are examples of such projects.

Benefits of acrylic yarns

As I shared in the Knitting with Yarns you Love page, I generally prefer soft yarns made of alpaca, cashmere, or merino wool. When I started knitting pieces with a group of experienced knitters in Chicago (Emanuel Stitching Ladies), however, I recognized the need for using machine-washable, more durable yarns. The group donates finished pieces (hats, scarves/wraps, blankets, etc.) to hospitals and shelters, and it’s simply not practical to use yarns that require careful handling.

So, in search of suitable yarns, I learned about Lion Brand’s Homespun yarn from a fellow knitter and it has become one of my favorite yarns for group projects. They are soft, light bulky yarns with many interesting colorways, making it perfect for a poncho like this or blankets.

The piece is knit flat in simple rectangular, so it’s super easy to make it wider or longer. You can also make garter border on either side wider. Please do choose your favorite colors, single or in interesting combinations, and create your own, versatile poncho/blanket/scarf!

Knitting instructions

The construction is a simple rectangular knit in flat with a neck opening in the middle. I added two buttons and button loops on each side to loosely close in wearing it as a poncho. If you prefer to make the back-side longer, you can easily adjust the position of neck opening.

Lace pattern:  13-stitch 14-row

The overall size (this example is 27″ x 52″) and the position of neck opening (this example is in the middle vertically and horizontally) are highly customizable.

• CO 86 sts (13 x 6 + 4 sts for garter border on each side) using long-tail cast on.
• Garter border:
  • R0 (WS): knit all sts.
  • R1 (RS) – R4: knit all sts for garter hem.
• R5 and onward: start pattern stitch
  • RS:
    • k4 every for garter border on one side.
    • repeat pattern stitch 6 times.
    • k4 for garter border on another side.
  • WS: k4, p until 4 sts before the end, k4.
• Continue pattern stitch until you reach about 26″ in length, likely for about 100 rows or 7-1/2 pattern st rows.
• Create neck opening
  • 1st row (RS): after 28th st, loosely BO 30 sts, and continue the pattern st. for 28 sts until the end of the row.
  • 2nd row (WS): after 28th st, cast on 30 st using backward loop method, and continue p another 28 sts until the end of the row.
• 2nd half: continue the pattern st until the 2nd half measures about 26″ or longer, ending with WS.
• Garter border on other side: k every st for 4 rows and loosely BO.
• Neck trim – using J/6 mm crochet hook, create a single-crochet trim all around the neck opening.
• Buttons and button loops: attach a button each side, and attach a button loop for each. I find the easiest way to create a loop is to crochet chain cord (instructions courtesy of Yarnspirations.)