CAROL MELDRUM Germain
Elegant Fair Isle poncho
PONCHO RIB NECK
Using 4mm circular needles and yarn A, cast on 122 sts. Do not join into the round - knitting flat avoids a pattern jog. Row 1 (RS): K2, *P2, K2; rep from * to end. Row 2 (WS): P2, *K2, P2; rep from * to end. Rows 1 and 2 form rib. Rep these two rows 12 more times or to required length, ending with a WS row. Next row (RS inc): Rib 4, M1, *rib 5, M1; rep to last 3 sts, rib 3. 146 sts. Next row (WS): Purl to end. Fasten off yarn A.
BODY
Change to 4.5mm needles and join in yarn B. Row 1 (RS): K10, pm, K1, pm, K13, pm, K28, pm, K13, pm, K1, pm, K16, pm, K1, pm, K13, pm, K28, pm, K13, pm, K1, pm, K to end. Row 2: Purl to end. Row 3 (RS inc): Knit to first mrk, slm, M1, K1, M1, slm, knit to next mrk, slm, work row 1 of Chart A, slm, (knit to next mrk, slm, M1, K1, M1, slm) twice, knit to next mrk, slm, work row 1 of chart, slm, knit to next mrk, slm, M1, K1, M1, slm, knit to end. 154 sts. Row 4: Purl to third mrk, slm, work row 2 of Chart A, slm, purl to ninth mrk, slm, work row 2 of Chart A, slm, purl to end. Rows 3 and 4 set placement for increases and Chart A. Keeping Fair Isle pattern correct throughout, joining colours in as required, increase on every RS row as set 12 more times. 250 sts. Cont to work as set, increasing on every following 4th row until there are 306 sts. Work 4 more rows, ending on Row 19 of Chart.
FAIR ISLE BORDER
Change to 5mm needles. Next row (WS): P1, work 19-st repeat from row 2 of Chart B to last st, P1. Next row (RS): K1, work 19-st repeat from row 3 of Chart B to last st, K1. Cont working as set until row 19 of Chart B has been completed, then repeat rows 1 to 10 again, ending with a WS row. Change to 4.5mm needles and yarn B. Next row (RS): Knit to end. Fasten off yarn B, join in yarn A. Next row (WS): Purl to end.
LOWER RIB
Row 1(RS): K2, *P2, K2; rep from * to end. Row 2: P2, *K2, P2; rep from * to end. Last 2 rows form rib. Rep Rows 1 and 2, three more times, then work row 1 again. Cast off in knit.
MAKING UP
Weave in ends. Block and press body if required, following any yarn care instructions on the ball band. Using mattress stitch, sew side seam. Weave in any remaining loose ends.