Easy Poncho Knitting Patterns for Beginner Knitters

These easy poncho knitting patterns are as simple as knitting a blanket with a couple of seams, making them great for beginner knitters.

Pin-it to Pinterest for Later!

Pin

Stay warm & cozy with a hand-knitted poncho, expressing your creativity, style and design. Knitted to fit your body, in your style, in your favorite color, using the yarn of your dreams. Knitted ponchos are a staple for your winter wardrobe. ;)

Ponchos are great alternatives to knitted jackets… and they’re much easier to knit.

What is a knitted poncho?

A poncho is typically a piece of fabric with a slit in it for your head to fit through. It doesn’t have sleeves and the shape varies from rounded to rectangular. A knitted poncho can be knitted in 1 or 2 pieces, knit flat, with seams, or knit in the round without any seams, which is a more advanced version.

Are ponchos easy to knit?

Yes, yes they can be (it depends on the pattern) and they can be beginner friendly too! So, you don’t need a lot of experience before knitting your first garment. 🎉

What’s the best yarn to use for a poncho?

Honestly, your favorite yarn, you know, the one that you’re going to enjoy knitting with and love wearing! Now you just need the perfect pattern to go with your favorite yarn.

How much yarn do I need to knit a poncho?

Well, it depends. 😂

For all of my poncho patterns, bulky or super bulky, I used about 600-700 yards of yarn (6-7, 100-yard skeins). I thought I’d need more using the bulky yarn, but it ended up being about the same.

My finished ponchos measured about 45″ wide by 16 1/2″ long and I’m about 5’9″ with a medium build. If you’re shorter, you’ll need a little less, if you’re taller, you’ll need a little more.

My rule of thumb is to always get 1-2 skeins more than I think I’ll need. Yarn Chicken is my least favorite game, ever. I can always find a use or new home for 1-2 skeins of extra yarn.

Is a poncho a good first project for a beginner knitter?

Ponchos can be a great first project for a brave beginner knitter. It’s great because it’s a forgiving project and doesn’t have to be perfect. The gauge doesn’t have to be exact, like it needs to be for a sweater.

You can knit a beautiful poncho using simple knit & purl stitches, without any increases or decreases, making it a simple & easy pattern for a beginner knitter.

3 Things I wish I knew before I knitted my first poncho.

1. I wish I would’ve known how easy they are to knit… and wear. I was so stressed & anxious, thinking that it was too advanced & complicated, but there are a lot of patterns that are simple and easy to follow. Some patterns are complicated, just be sure to read all of the instructions before you get started.
   
2. It doesn’t matter what yarn I use as long as I love it!
   
3. Size doesn’t matter… that much. I love that the gauge is forgiving.
   
   If it’s a little too big, that’s okay with me because I like oversized garments, they feel so cozy.
   
   If it’s a little on the small side sometimes I can steam and block it to make it stretch a little. Or add few rows of ribbing or some fringe.

Pin

What Makes an Easy Poncho Knitting Pattern Easy?

An easy poncho pattern consists of simple stitches, knits & purls mostly. 

An easy poncho pattern does NOT have any cables, increase or decrease stitches.

No fancy edges, borders, necklines or picking up stitches.

At first, let’s keep it as simple as possible, you can always work up to something more challenging.

Materials & Tools Needed to Knit a Poncho:

Yarn:
Almost any yarn will work. Wools, blends, cottons or acrylic.

If you want a quick project go with a super bulky yarn.

If you want a summer poncho choose a lightweight yarn, cotton or linen.

Needle Length:
You’ll need a set of circular knitting needles. Circular needles are used to accommodate the large number of cast-on stitches needed to knit from forearm to forearm.

Most of the time I use a 24″ or 32″ cable. If you have a 32″ you can do most poncho patterns and some blankets too!

Interchangeable needles are great, so you can switch the cable out without having to buy a new set of needles.

Needle Size:
The needle size depends on the yarn that you’re using. When I knit a new project, I like to choose my yarn first and then knit swatches using different sizes of needles to see which one I like best. The one that gives me a medium tension stitch, not too tight and not too loose and a nice drape.

Notions:
You’ll want to have a darning needle or tapestry needle handy to sew the seams.

Learn how to knit a poncho easily in 2 simple steps:

Step 1: Knit a rectangle.

Step 2: Sew seam.

Yes, it really is that easy!

Below are a some free poncho knitting patterns to get you started.

How to knit a 1-rectangle poncho with straight needles:

The 1-rectangle poncho is a great beginner garment pattern. It really is as easy as knitting a rectangle, the “hard” part is getting the right size for your body shape and your personal style, which is the wonderful part of knitting… making it exactly the way you want it!

There are 2 ways to sew the seam on a 1 rectangle poncho!

#1 Faux Fur Poncho Pattern: Seam part of the cast-on and bind-off edges together. Get more detailed instructions on how to sew the poncho seam #1.

#2 Summer Poncho Pattern: Seam one side edge to part of the cast-on edges together. Get more detailed instructions on how to sew the poncho seam #2.

2 Triangle Poncho Pattern

Triangular Poncho + Hood Knitting Pattern! Adult + Child + doll sizes, so everyone can stay warm & cozy.

How to Knit a Poncho Out of 2 Rectangles? 

Knit 2 rectangles the same size. 

Sew the top, leaving a hole in the center just large enough to fit your head through.

#1: Super Bulky Knit Poncho Patterns For Beginners (free knitting pattern)

Sew the side seams, leaving a hole just large enough to fit your hand and arms through.

A Chunky Poncho Sweater Knitting Pattern that’s easy enough for a beginner knitter. You’ll be surprised at how easy it is to knit this chunky sweater poncho!

#2: Bulky Poncho Pattern (Free knitting pattern)

Pin-it to Pinterest for Later!

More Poncho Patterns You’ll Love