Miteriffic Poncho Pattern

A poncho designed in panels of mitered diamonds and triangles. Some experience with mitered diamonds is recommended. For detailed video instructions on making miters see: http://vimeo.com/6832500 For excellent miter written instructions see: http://megan.kiwi.gen.nz/MitresArticle/ For simplicity here the directions for individual miters are reduced to just the specifics. Noro Kureyon and Silk Garden or other worsted weight yarns Needles: US 10 for body and US 6 dpns for collar Note: Slip first stitch every row. Center panels back and front are the same: Cast on 70+1 stitch to make mitered diamond #1. Knit every row, alternating two contrasting yarns. For triangle #2 pick up 36 stitches on the edge of first diamond. Knit every row, and alternating yarns, and at the end of the rows on right decrease 2 stitches, K1. After triangle is decreased to last stitch, break yarn. For triangle #3, pick up 36 stitches along other edge of diamond #1. Knit every row and alternate yarns. At the beginning of right side rows, K1, decrease 2, k to end. Diamond #4 is the same as #1 and the stitches are picked up from the previous three modules. #5 and #6 are the same as #2 and #3.

Triangle #7: Pick up 35 stitches from between triangles #5 and #6. Make triangle: Right side only: K1,k2tog, knit to center three stitches, make decrease, knit to last three stitches, k2tog, k1. Make back panel the same as front panel. Join front and back panels with triangles made the same as triangle #7

Side panels: Pick up 70 stitches along front edge. One or two extra stitches are OK, whatever makes it look like every edge stitch is included. Decrease on right sides by k1, k2tog on bottom edge to match the direction of the bottom diamond. Carry up contrasting yarn on opposite side. Make four sections, two on each side for sleeves.

At this point the sleeves can be sewn together with a center seam, or three needle bind-off. Or a center panel can be knit and inserted.

The center sleeve panel is based on a diamond of 35 stitches and triangles of 18 stitches picked up on the edges of the diamonds. The last tiny wrist edge triangles are 18 stitches with decreases at both beginning and ending of right side rows. Sew panels in place for each sleeve. OR: This is what I would do if I were re-making this poncho… First make a center sleeve panel with the straight-edged wrist end placed at the shoulder instead. Then its edges can be picked up along with the center panel edges and decreased just as before, with no sewing. This results in a much better shaped sleeve with a secure knowledge that the sleeve is the desired length. Collar. Pick up stitches around the square neck opening, using smaller dp needles, and a single yarn. Knit with a single yarn, alternating one row knit and one row purl. Bind off at desired height. Blocking really helps this yarn lie flat and drape best.