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Poncho for Fall - knitting pattern for Tamar Poncho

17.10.24

Autumn is the perfect time to wrap yourself or your loved ones into big comfortable poncho! I love knitting poncho for my gorgeous girls and myself. I already have many interesting models in my collection – ponchos with sleeves, poncho with front pocket, ponchos with simple and complicated cables. However, multi coloured poncho was missing from it. So here it is. Please meet the Tamar Poncho!

The Tamar Poncho is the perfect cozy, oversized piece for your wardrobe. Whether you're knitting for a toddler or yourself, this versatile design brings warmth and comfort while looking stylish with its modern, textured features.

Design Features

The poncho is worked bottom-up and can be knitted on straight or circular needles. It features an oversized silhouette with dropped shoulders, giving it a relaxed, comfortable fit. The highlight of this design is the long turtleneck collar, worked in a beautiful textured ribbing that adds both warmth and style to the poncho.

Both the Front and Back panels are knitted in contrast colour stripes with vertical columns of slip stitches running down the length of the garment. These slip stitches create a subtle yet striking detail, giving the poncho an eye-catching texture. The edge bands are knit in garter ridges as you go, which not only adds a neat, finished look but also eliminates the need to pick up stitches later.

Once the front and back are completed, they are sewn together using four decorative buttons, adding another unique detail to the design.

Sizing for Everyone

The Tamar Poncho is available in a wide range of sizes, from 2-3 years (child) to adult 3XL, making it the ideal project whether you're knitting for a little one or creating something cozy for yourself.

Yarn & Color Inspiration

This design uses DK weight yarn, and I’ve chosen Drops Soft Tweed in five contrast colours for my sample: shades 03, 18, 16, 05, and 02. However, the poncho will look fantastic with fewer colours if you prefer a more muted palette. It's also a great project to use up your leftover yarn for the narrower stripes, making it a perfect stash-busting project!

Knitting pattern

The Tamar Poncho offers a wonderful balance between simplicity and texture. It’s easy enough for intermediate knitters and those who enjoy knitting oversized garments. The contrast stripes and slip stitch details add just enough flair without being too complex, and the versatile sizing means you can make one for everyone in the family.

Whether you're bundling up for a cool autumn day or layering up in the winter months, the Tamar Poncho is sure to become one of your favourite go-to pieces. Grab your needles, pick your favourite shades, and start knitting your own Tamar Poncho today!

Knitting pattern for Tamar Poncho is available from Ravelry, Etsy and Lovecrafts.

Five Poncho designs for inspiration

Please feel free to discover more stylish poncho designs from ViTalina Craft:

1. Temptation Poncho and Big Temptation Poncho

2. Dreamaway Poncho

The design features are dropped shoulder, wide collar and inverse trapezium silhouette. Front and Back of poncho are decorated with beautiful cables combination divided by columns of slipped stitches. There also combination of textured stitches on both sides of cable panels. Front and Back ate joined with four wooden buttons.

3. Ramble Poncho Light for children and adults

This comfortable oversized poncho knitted bottom up. Front and back of poncho knitted separately back and forth. After the shoulder seams closed, the stitches picked up for the hood. For the better fit of hood, there are couple of rows are knitted in the round for the short collar. Then the hood is knitted back and forth. The hood band is also knitted in the round. The poncho is designed with positive ease of 20-25 cm/8-10 inches. The attached wooden buttons used as decoration and for joining front and back together.

4. Cable Fantasy Poncho and Adult Cable Fantasy Poncho

Cable Fantasy poncho is perfect staple for any wardrobe. Knitted with Aran weight yarn, poncho is designed with plenty of positive ease for comfortable wear and keeping warm. The poncho knitted bottom up on straight needles. Front, back and sleeves of poncho knitted separately. After the raglan seams closed, the stitches picked up for the collar and edge band. The turtleneck collar and edge band knitted in the round in 2 x 2 rib. Front of poncho knitted in combination of moss stitch and cables; back and sleeves knitted in moss stitch only. The attached wooden buttons used as decoration and for joining front and back together.

5. Transformer Poncho and Hat

This comfortable set consists of over-sized poncho and a matching hat. The poncho is knitted back and forth in Stockinette and decorated with fancy cable in the front. The hat is knitted in the round.

The poncho is designed with positive ease about 25 cm/ 10 inches, dropped shoulder and high neck. Also, the poncho has removable sleeves, which allows it to be transformed into long-sleeved sweater. Back and front of the poncho are knitted separately. After the shoulder seams are completed, the stitches are picked up for collar and edge band. The edge band is formed with I-cord bind off.

To see some behind the scene photos you can follow me on Instagram.

You are also welcome to join my Facebook knitting group to share your work and get some help with my patterns.

Knitting pattern for lacy top – Flaxynet tee

10.7.23

Knitted top in simple lacy stitch is must have for any summer wardrobe. Moreover, what could be better than beautiful linen tee with relaxed fit and stylish look? I am happy to let you know that the knitting pattern for such garment is here – Flaxynet tee!

Design overview

Knitted with simple lacy stitch in linen yarn, the top has an oversized fit, providing a relaxed and comfortable feel. The dropped shoulders add a casual touch to the design. The deep V-neck adds a feminine and flattering element to the garment, while the boxy silhouette allows for freedom of movement and a relaxed, laid-back look. The front of the garment features a garter stitch panel in the centre, adding texture and visual interest to the tee. This panel transforms into the neckband after the neck shaping begins, creating a cohesive and well-finished design.

Yarn choice

Flaxynet tee can be knitted with any sport/5-ply weight yarn. However, for the summer season I would recommend choosing airy plant based materials such as cotton, linen, bamboo as well as their blends.

My first sample is knitted with Antigone by De Rerum Natura in shade lin. It is French linen yarn, which is available online from the manufacturer as well as from some online stores. The yarn composed of ten strands of combed flax and it is well twisted. It creates smooth, silky and beautiful fabric.

The second top is knitted with Lithuanian linen in bright fuchsia shade by Midwinter Yarns. As it was my second sample, I decided not only knit it in bright not typical colour for my wardrobe but also experiment with yarn weigh. So, this yarn is heavy lace weight yarn which creates much thinner fabric but can be knitted with the same gauge as recommended for this top in the pattern. By the way, I always recommend checking your tension before starting knitting your new project. You can read more about checking knitting gauge here.

My other favourite summer yarns:

1. Rico Essential cotton DK. It is one of the best cotton yarns I've used for children knits. It is not only budget friendly, but it has really big colours choice as well as many of them so bright and pretty.
2. Ricco Creative Cotton Aran. This yarn is very similar to the previous one, but it comes in Aran weights and great for summer tops (see below info for Talea tee)
3. Cascade Ultra Pima. It comes in 100g skeins and also great for baby knits
4. Kind Cole Bamboo Cotton blend If you are looking for soft airy yarn, this one is a perfect choice! It creates perfect summer fabric and would be great for many children and adult garments. It is budget friendly too.
5. MillaMia Naturally Soft Cotton which comes in Sport weight and would be perfect for both Flaxynet tee and Flaxynet sweater. The colour palette is not so big, but there are many beautiful pastel shades.

For more yarn ideas please see the projects from my test knitting team on Ravelry - test knitters projects.

Sizes

Knitting pattern for Flaxynet tee is written for wide range of sizes starting from XS through 3XL for chests from 88 cm/ 34⅝ inches up to 157 cm/ 61¾ inches

Knitting pattern and discount code

Pattern is available from Ravelry and Lovecrafts

To celebrate the pattern release I am happy to offer 15%off with code FL15

Recommended summer knits

A few stylish summer knits I recommend to make this summer

1. Flaxynet sweater. It is made with the same lacy stitch as Flaxynet tee and makes perfect summer sweater for any occasion. Pattern is on Ravelry and Lovecrafts

2. Glamrock tee is stylish summer top with lacy yoke and minimum shaping which can be completed in no time. Pattern on Ravelry and on Lovecrafts

3. Violet coast bolero for your little fashionistas. Pattern on Ravelry and on Lovecrafts

4. Talea tee. Pattern on Ravelry and on Lovecrafts

To see some behind the scene photos you can follow me on Instagram.

You are also welcome to join my Facebook knitting group to share your work and get some help with my patterns.

Spelt Slipover Knitting Pattern

16.8.22

While we are still enjoying last few weeks of hot weather, it is already time to start thinking about warmer autumn garments and knitting with a wool yarn. Knitting a new vest is a good idea, as it is the perfect piece for transition from summer to the cooler autumn days. Knitting of vest is beneficial in many ways. Firstly, it is the garment, which can be easily worn as a warmer top alone or combined with another layer of clothing. Secondly, knitting the vest is faster than knitting the long sleeves sweater, you need smaller quantity of yarn and you have more chances to finish it in time.

So today, I am happy to share my latest vest design – Spelt slipover.

Designed with deep armholes and plenty of positive ease, this vest looks great in all ways – alone or with long sleeve top underneath. Added strand of mohair yarn gives the vest this pretty slightly fluffy look and creates perfect soft fabric. Thanks to the waist length, the vest takes minimum quantity of DK weight yarn and can be easily completed in a few weeks. Simple textured stitch at front, which reminds wheat spike lets, add interesting detail to the minimalistic design.

Spelt slipover designed in wide range of sizes from S to 3XL. Written pattern has a photo tutorial for the stitch used at front of vest and can be obtained from Ravelry .

Browsing on Ravelry you can see a number of Spelt slipovers knitted by my gorgeous test knitting team in different shades and yarns.

In addition, enjoy special 10% discount on Ravelry with code SS10. Offer valid until 21st of August, 2022.

To see some behind the scene photos you can follow me on Instagram.

You are also welcome to join my Facebook knitting group to share your work and get some help with my patterns.

Ramble Poncho Light - pattern release

23.3.22

Knitting pattern for Ramble Poncho Light is here!

I am so happy to share the most comfortable poncho I have ever designed. Knitted with chunky weight yarn on straight needles, poncho designed for both children and adults. Large hood has anatomical shape and close fit around neck, which help to keep it on the head when needed. Comfortable deep shoulder shaping protects from the wind and kangaroo pocket at front hides your hands from the cold.

Poncho designed with plenty of positive ease and knitted bottom up with minimum seaming. There are just shoulder seams only. After front and back joined, the stitches picked up for hood. Wooden buttons on sides used as a decoration and for keeping front and back together. The front pocket knitted on the go and the pattern has a photo tutorial for it.

The knitting pattern for Ramble Poncho Light written for sizes from 2-3 years up to adult 3XL.

It is available from Ravelry, Etsy and Lovecrafts.

There is also similar poncho available in super bulky weight yarn – Ramble Poncho.

Both patterns are available with 10% off on Ravelry. Use code RAMBLE10 to get your discount.

To see some behind the scene photos, you can follow me on Instagram.

You are also welcome to join my Facebook knitting group to share your work and get some help with my patterns.

Promo codes for all patterns on Ravelry: 310 - to get 10% off for 3x patterns; 515 - to get 15% off for 5x patterns

Offer on Etsy for all patterns:

- Choose ANY three knitting patterns for £10.01

- Choose ANY five knitting patterns for £16.17

Five reasons to block your knitting

7.3.22

Based on my questionnaires’ in the FB groups, many knitters skip blocking the finished knitted/crochet garment for a number of reasons. Let us find out what blocking is and why it is recommended not to ignore this important step.

What is blocking?

Blocking is the process of wetting/washing or steaming finished knitted parts or garments in order to give them their permanent size and shape.

Blocking can be done before or after seaming.

Why I recommend blocking/washing the knitted garment before starting wearing or gifting it.

1. As you knit, the edges of the pieces can be rolled badly, especially in stockinette stitch. Blocking helps to eliminate or reduce this problem and flatten the fabric, which helps with seaming.

2. Blocking helps to even the stitches and makes fabric more pretty. This point is very important for lacy garments and shawls. Most lacy stitches does not look beautiful until blocked (see the first photo in this post). Blocking helps to reveal beautiful lacy stitches and “read” them.

3. Many wool yarns such as merino wool, mohair, angora, etc. become much softer and more hairy after being blocked and washed for the first time.

4. You can make some changes to the shape and size of you knitted garment or pieces (if you block before seaming) as you block. The amount of change that you can achieve with blocking depends on the type of yarn, your knitting tension (how tight the finished fabric is) and blocking method. Wet blocking allows for more changes than steaming.

5. Wet blocking is also an important step to wash out dye residue, grease and other contaminants from knitwear prior to first wear. Every inch of yarn passes through our hands and can absorb grease, dirt, hand cream, etc. All this stuff should be washed out, especially on baby and children knitwear.

To see some behind the scene photos, you can follow me on Instagram.

You are also welcome to join my Facebook knitting group to share your work and get some help with my patterns.

Love Locks sweater - Test Knit

28.2.22

Happy knitting! I opened the test knit for my new knitted design – Love Locks Sweater.

This comfortable cabled sweater is knitted with Aran weight yarn on straight needles. Design features boxy silhouette, dropped shoulder and round neckband. The sweater is knitted with beautiful cable pattern all over which reminds the fence with love locks on.

The knitting pattern is written for sizes from XS to 3XL. It consists of both charts and row-by-row instructions for them.

My test knit is being running on Ravelry. For more information about the test knit and sign up please follow the link: Ravelry

The pattern is coming end of March 2022.

To see some behind the scene photos you can follow me on Instagram.

You are also welcome to join my Facebook knitting group to share your work and get some help with my patterns.

Adult Cable Fantasy Poncho - pattern release

30.11.21

Please welcome my new knitting design - Adult Cable Fantasy poncho!

This stylish comfortable garment is perfect for any wardrobe. Designed with plenty of positive ease, the poncho shape is close to sweater and can be styled with many types of jeans/trousers. Short sleeves allow wearing this poncho under winter coats.

Poncho knitted with Aran weight yarn on straight needles in four parts – front, back and sleeves. After all parts sewn together, the stitches picked up for neck and edge band which are then knitted in the round.