Monday, April 21, 2014

Asymmetric Wrap Poncho

Asymmetric Wrap Poncho


 Want a new super fast transition season outer wear fashion statement?
Pick up 600 yards of super chunky yarn, and spend a couple of evenings with huge needles.  Ta da.
This one is worked in one piece, with a few short rows at the left shoulder, before returning to the right again.  One shoulder seam and two tacked spots make it custom fit, and one size fits all (make it a bit wider or longer if you want more coverage!).

NO Purls in this pattern, but the skill of SHORT ROWS is required, or take this opportunity to watch this video and master a new technique!

Yarn:  Lion Brand Woolease Thick and Quick, super chunky yarn About 550 - 600 yards (or any yarn with recommended needles of 9mm - 10mm)
Gauge: 8 sts = 4 inches in garter stitch (realistically , this is one where you can get away with between 7 and 9 sts to 4 inches and still succeed)  further afield from these numbers, change your yarn.
Needles: 10mm (US 15).  Circulars help with weight of this bulky yarn, but straight works well.  NOT knit in the round anyway!

Note:  you are knitting from front right side, to left shoulder, then back to right back edge.  BUT, once finished you can wear the short rows over either shoulder.... Asymmetric!

Right Front edge:   Cast on 30 sts.  Knit EVERY row (garter stitch) for 25 inches (measure without stretching please).
SHORT ROWS:   With right side facing (bottom edge of the wrap poncho) start short rows:
Row 1:  Knit until only 5 stitches remain on left needle,  wrap and turn, knit back on row 2.
Row 3: knit until only 10 sts remain on left needle, wrap and turn, knit back on row 4.
Row 5:  knit 15 sts, wrap and turn, knit back on row 6.
Row 7: knit 10 sts, wrap and turn, knit back on row 8.
Row 9: knit 5, wrap and turn , knit back on row 10.
ROW 11 and 12 :  knit the whole row
Row 13: knit 5, wrap, turn and knit back
Row 15:  knit 10, wrap and turn and knit back
Row 17: knit 15, wrap and turn and knit back
Row 19: knit 20, wrap and turn and knit back
Row 21: knit until only 5 sts remain on left needle, wrap , turn and knit back.

Work again in garter stitch for 20 rows (10 ridges are completed) and you are again facing the right side. (very important that you start your short rows at the same edge as the last set of short rows!!)
Repeat the short rows again....

SHORT ROWS:   With right side facing (bottom edge of the wrap poncho) start short rows:
Row 1:  Knit until only 5 stitches remain on left needle,  wrap and turn, knit back on row 2.
Row 3: knit until only 10 sts remain on left needle, wrap and turn, knit back on row 4.
Row 5:  knit 15 sts, wrap and turn, knit back on row 6.
Row 7: knit 10 sts, wrap and turn, knit back on row 8.
Row 9: knit 5, wrap and turn , knit back on row 10.
ROW 11 and 12 :  knit the whole row
Row 13: knit 5, wrap, turn and knit back
Row 15:  knit 10, wrap and turn and knit back
Row 17: knit 15, wrap and turn and knit back
Row 19: knit 20, wrap and turn and knit back
Row 21: knit until only 5 sts remain on left needle, wrap , turn and knit back.

Now continue in garter stitch for 25 inches, and cast off all loosely.  See photo below for stitching seam and arm tacks.  Sew the shoulder seam 14 inches from the straight edge towards the shorter side of the short rows.  (B to A in the photo).  Tack the front to back with a few overhand stitches at D and C, about 5 inches from right shoulder edge and bottom of short row arm edge.  These can be wider or smaller, depending on your arm width and comfort (tight or loose).  Best to put a safety pin on first and try it on!


 also note, the funky new Fluevog Boots, kind of hiking boot meets crazy fashion.  Oooooh.


12 comments:

  1. I'm off to view the video.
    THX for sharing.
    (((hugs)))

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  2. Putting this one on my To-Do list! Love it.
    Lori

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  3. Found your pattern today. Looks easy enough for advanced beginner like me. My question to you is: if I am a larger woman, how would I adjust to make it a little longer and wider.

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  4. to make it longer, cast on 35 or 40, then wider.. work 30 or 35 inches before the short rows. Remember to work to the same length on the other side after the short rows. This adjustment would also work if your gauge is smaller ( more stitches to the 4 inch swatch ), and you want the same size as mine! Please check gauge first either way.
    Enjoy!

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  5. Hi Chris,
    Can you tell me what the total length of your wrap poncho is when finished? I feel like I have put in too many rows and may need to make an adjustment (rip out). I love this pattern and want to get it finished for September. Thank you.

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  6. it will be 25 inches to the short row section, then 25 more inche past the short row section
    hope that helps
    chris

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  7. Hi, I am working on this, not quite done. I trust, in faith I knit but I can not see it yet, what are the short rows doing here, are they the shoulders or what? Thank you !

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  8. Exactly Doogy Dog. The short rows allow one shoulder to hold up the wrap.
    Hope it looks great!
    Chris

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  9. Hi Chris: Love your pattern - its just what I have been looking for....except, I really want to use a worsted weight yarn that I have. To convert to the lighter weight yarn, I assume I just find my gauge to the 4 inches (in other words I might get 10 to 12 stitches) and then calculate the difference from the 8 stitches in your gauge and add the extra stitches I'll need to cast on? Hope I am making sense. :)

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  10. Hi Sharon. That is exactly the way to do the math! It would work well in a worsted weight, just add those extra stitches to keep the width approximately the same. Add a few extra stitches at the short rows, mirroring the numbers on each side to get the shoulder shape!
    Let me know how it works, or better yet, send a photo by email when you are done!
    Happy Knitting, Chris

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  11. Thanks Chris! Will do! Can't wait to get started!

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