Ponchos seem to come in and out of fashion just like many other garments.

The good news is, ponchos are back and worn effortlessly in place of a sweater or jacket. They layer fabulously over t-shirts, tunics, and lightweight sweaters.

I’ve rounded up ten modern poncho knitting patterns for you to try some are knitted back and forth, while others are knitted in-the-round.

So, if you’ve been wondering how do you make a poncho. Here are 10 inspiring ideas to get you started.

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#1. Cloaked in Clouds Poncho Free Knitting Pattern

Cloak yourself in the snuggliest poncho on Earth!

Here’s what designed Alexandra Tavel has to say about this project. “The Cloaked in Clouds Poncho was inspired by my Blanket Ruana, one of my most popular crochet patterns. After numerous requests I knew I had to make a knit version, and this one is even better than the original! The wide rib collar adds extra warmth to the neck and the thermal stitch makes the entire thing extra warm and squishy. Best of all it’s an easy knit and the bulky yarn makes it work up quickly.”

Uses bulky weight yarn

Designed by Alexandra Tavel

Get Cloaked in Clouds Poncho Free Knitting Pattern
Get Knit Picks Biggo Yarn for this project

#2. Oakham Poncho Knitting Pattern

Year-round coziness can be yours with this luscious poncho knitting pattern. Knit from the top down in the round, the body is made up of an easy-to-work granite stitch, with a stunning cable-and-eyelet column set into the front and back.

Cable pattern is charted.

Uses sport weight yarn

Designed by Alison Green

Get Oakham Poncho Knitting Pattern
Get Berroco Skye Yarn for this project

#3. Indigo Frost Poncho Knitting Pattern

Indigo Frost is a great little capelet/poncho worked seamlessly from the top down, with a loose turtle neck and an easy 4 Color-Slip-Stitch pattern band on the yoke. Eyelets on the body, the cute, deep 2x1 ribbings for the neck and the bottom edge, and its shorter length make this capelet a modern take on a classic transitional fashion piece.

Uses worsted weight yarn

Designed by Isabell Kraemer

Get Indigo Frost Poncho Knitting Pattern on Ravelry
Get Ewe Ewe Heather’s Heathers Yarn for this project

#4. Happy Harvest Poncho Knitting Pattern

Happy Harvest* is a seamless poncho/oversized sweater vest using Berroco’s Ultra Wool Chunky yarn. It’s a quick knit that combines a fun acorn lace stitch pattern with simple garter and stockinette stitch.

It uses 2 colors - a main color for most of the garment and a contrasting color for the top portion of the back and the cowl. It features button closures at each side (to create armholes), a hi/lo hemline and a separate, removable cowl that can be worn with or without the garment (or with a completely different outfit!).

Uses bulky weight yarn

Designed by Elizabeth Smith

Get Happy Harvest Poncho Knitting Pattern on Ravelry
Get Berroco Ultra Wool Chunky Yarn for this project

#5. Convertible Capelet Knitting Pattern

CONVERTIBLE CAPLET - has a raglan sweater look on the front and a poncho look on the back or vice versa. Wear it either way or with the Heart Motif on your shoulder.

This versatile statement piece is the perfect go to garment for any season. Classy or casual, whatever fits the bill. This seamless, top down, all in one piece construction, one of a kind design, is knit out of one cake of Revolutions.

Uses bulky weight yarn

Designed by Christina Pridie

Get Convertible Capelet Knitting Pattern on Ravelry
Get Universal Revolutions Yarn for this project

#6. Aspen Mantle Poncho Knitting Pattern

In celebration of those deliciously crisp fall days, a repeating lace leaf within a diamond decorates the bottom edge of this poncho. Seed Stitch along the outer edges provides a clean, flat finish.

This asymmetrical piece is worked as a long rectangle, which is folded in half and seamed along one shoulder. Increased stitches at the collar create a relaxed cowl look. Either side can be worn as the front, with leaves pointing up or leaves pointing down. Lace pattern is charted only.

Uses sport weight yarn

Designed by Jenny Williams

Get Aspen Mantle Poncho Knitting Pattern
Get Knit Picks Andean Treasure Yarn for this project

#7. Minjia Poncho Free Knitting Pattern

’Minjia Poncho’ is an all time classic poncho.
It has an easy little design detail in the front and in the back.
The gauge is not critical and the pattern can be adapted to different yarn weights (dk, aran…) and various sizes for adults, teens and young girls.
It is an easy project, great for beginners, starting with a collar, cowl or turtleneck.
Co= 5 sts + odd number of sts + 5 sts + odd number of sts = even number of sts. (… 70, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80 sts….)
The ‘Minjia Poncho’ pattern has a repeat of two rounds, with an increase of four stitches every second round.
You will knit these two pattern rounds until you are happy with the size of your poncho.

Uses bulky weight yarn

Designed by Martina Sommer

Get Minjia Poncho Free Knitting Pattern on Ravelry
Get Manos Wool Clasica Yarn for this project

#8. Caravan Poncho Free Knitting Pattern

The Caravan Poncho is an excellent companion for adventures and exploring, perfect for when there’s just enough chill in the air to need a layer of knits but not too much that you need a coat.

Uses aran weight yarn

Designed by Alexandra Tavel

Get Caravan Poncho Free Knitting Pattern
Get Lion Brand Wool Ease Yarn for this project

#9. All Points South Poncho Knitting Pattern

“All Points South” is meant to drape down over your shoulders to some degree but not necessarily fit all the way over your shoulders as a poncho would. Two sizes are available and is designed to fit everyone. You can wear it bunched up like a cowl or more flat - it will magically hit you just right and fold over itself/ruche up to keep you toasty. It will look more poncho-y on some and more cowl-y on others depending on shoulder and bust size.

It is top down, seamless, with a “V.” There are a variety of stitches to keep it interesting and it is designed for solids, speckles, variegated or a combination of all three. It tends to grow with length after blocking, so you may end up with a longer garment which doesn’t really matter – more merino for snuggling into this winter!

Uses fingering weight yarn

Designed by Casapinka