This is a knitting pattern for an elegant poncho that’s fun to make and versatile enough to wear all year long. I love shawls too, but as a mom, small ponchos like this are my go-to cozy accessory because they stay put so nicely. They are great for air-conditioned spaces in summer, cool evenings in fall and spring, and as an extra layer of warmth in winter.
I called this design the Angel Wings Ponchette because the diamond-shaped construction makes for triangular “wings” that flow ethereally behind your arms. It can also be worn with the longer diamond points front and back since the pattern is completely symmetrical. There is beautiful Old Shale Lace front and back with a lacy picot bind-off and lots of easy knitting in between.
I created it to be used with eight 20 gram minis as shown in the photos, but you can certainly use it with 2 skeins of sock-weight yarn instead.
The first several photos show the ponchette knit using a gradient set of mini skeins while the last photos show it knit using the 2024 Eight Days of Easter mini skeins.
Skill Level
Advanced Beginner
Gauge
Gauge is not really important here. Just aim for a fabric that is relatively solid but not rigid.
Needles and Notions
- US Size 5 / 3.75 mm circular needles that are between 18 and 24 inches in length
- US Size 5 / 3.75 mm circular needles that are at least 40 inches in length
- 8 stitch markers with at least 2 that are unique from all the rest and from each other
- A needle to weave in your ends
- A scale that measures in grams
- Blocking mats and a lot of blocking pins
Yarn
You’ll need 640 yards of sock-weight yarn. I designed the pattern using a set of eight 20 gram mini skeins with 80 yards per skein, but you can certainly use 2 skeins of sock-weight yarn instead. The lace will show better with semi-solid, tonal, or gently variegated colorways as opposed to colorways with a lot of contrast.
Each successive colorway will make a narrower stripe since the poncho grows wider as it goes, so choose your colorways accordingly.
The first few photos show the ponchette knit using a gradient yarn set I designed for it. The last few photos show it knit up using the Eight Days of Easter kit from 2024.
Finished Size of Ponchette
After blocking, the height from the edge of the neck hole to the bottom edge is 15 to 16 inches, and the length from tip to tip of the "angel wings" is 55 to 60 inches.
Glossary of Stitches and Terms Used
CO – Cast onK – knit
K2tog – Knit 2 stitches together
KFB – Knit front and back
PM1 – Place marker #1
PM2 – Place marker #2
PM3 – Place marker #3, etc.
SM1 – Slip marker #1
SM2 – Slip marker #2
SM3 – Slip marker #3, etc.
SSK – Slip 1 stitch, slip 1 more stitch, move the two stitches back to the left needle, and knit both stitches together through the back loop
YO – Yarn over
When you check out, you'll be given the option to store the pattern in your Ravelry library as well if you so wish.
