DIAMOND STRIPES

For ethnic-inspired chic, cast on this blanket poncho and you’ll have a warm, all-season cover-up to keep you comfy whatever the weather

YOU WILL NEED

● 7 100g balls Cascade 128 Superwash (chunky, 100% wool) in Feather Grey (875) Yarn A; 4 100g balls in Aster (1980) Yarn B; 2 100g balls in Grape Compote (232) Yarn C

● 5.5mm circular needle

● Pair of 6mm needles For yarn stockists, contact Lovecrafts 01409 404010; lovecrafts.com.

MEASUREMENTS

One size fits all:

Width: 94cm (excluding borders) Length: 70cm (approximately).

TENSION

14 sts and 22 rows to measure 10 x 10cm over st st using 6mm needles

TIP

It can be tempting to skip the blocking process, but this poncho is a classic example of how much better the drape and overall finish will be if you take the time to block your work. Your ball band is a wealth of information and should tell you how you need to treat the yarn in your fabric. For the softest finish, invest in a special yarn wash.

TIP

Remember to twist the yarn strands around each other when changing colours in the intarsia sections.

ABBREVIATIONS

cont continue; beg beginning; foll(s) follow(s); K/k knit; P/p purl; patt pattern; rep(s) repeat(s); RS right side; st(s) stitch(es); st st stocking stitch; WS wrong side.

NOTE

The Poncho is worked using the intarsia method; use separate balls of yarn for each area of colour and twist strands on WS of work to avoid a hole.

BACK

Cast on 132 sts using a 5.5mm circular needle and Yarn A. Work back and forth as folls:

Row 1 K3, (p2, k2) to last 5 sts, p2, k3.

Row 2 P3, (k2, p2) to last 5 sts, k2, p3. These 2 rows form the rib.

Work a further 8 rows, increasing

2 sts evenly across the last row.

[134 sts]

Change to 6mm needles.

Beg with a K row, work in st st.

Row 1 K3C, (work across Row 1 of Chart, k2c) 9 times, work across Row 1 of Chart, k3c.

Row 2 P3C, (work across Row 2 of Chart, p2c) 9 times, work across Row 2 of Chart, p3c. These 2 rows set the Chart.

Work straight until Back measures approximately 70cm from cast-on edge, ending with a Row 1 or 11 of Chart.

Cast off.

LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT (BOTH ALIKE)

Cast on 56 sts using a 5.5mm circular needle and Yarn A.

Work backwards and forwards.

Row 1 K3, (p2, k2) to last 5 sts, p2, k3. Row 2 P3, (k2, p2) to last 5 sts, k2, p3. These 2 rows form the rib.

Work a further 8 rows.

Change to 6mm needles.

Beg with a K row, work in st st.

Row 1 K3C, (work across Row 1 of Chart, k2c) 3 times, work across