Knit a Mixed Yarn Poncho

Mix and match yarns however you want to create a basic poncho. Get started with our tips.

Combining Yarns

When it comes to combining yarns, the sky's the limit. You'll be amazed at the variety of effects you can achieve by simply trying different yarns together. Below are just a few suggestions.

• Knitting together smooth yarns in contrasting colors results in a tweed-looking fabric.
  
• Knitting smooth yarns that are close in tone results in a fabric that has a more mottled appearance.
  
• Mixing yarns of similar colors but different textures produces subtle, rich-looking fabric.
  Enlarge Photo+Shrink Photo-

Knitting Stripes

When knitting stripes, you have to decide whether to cut the yarn at the end of each stripe or leave it hanging and carry it up the side the next time you use that color. The narrower the stripe, the easier it is to carry (Image 1).

Generally, on an item like a scarf where the edge will be seen, you can comfortably carry the yarn up half an inch; wider stripes (Image 2) require you to cut the yarn at the end of each stripe. On a piece where the edge will be hidden in a seam, you may be able to carry it a full inch. If you do carry, take care to maintain even tension: neither pull too tightly (which can distort the fabric) nor leave the yarn too loose (which can form unsightly loops along the edge).

Inconsistent tension will result in an uneven piece (Image 3). The key is to knit stripes of even numbers so that the working yarns both ends up on the same side of the knitting.

When knitting stripes of yarns that are radically different gauges (Image 4), use the needle size recommended for the larger yarn. The fabric will be more stable if you knit wider stripes of the larger yarn and narrower stripes of the fine yarn.

Some pieces require you to cut and carry the different stripes (Image 5).