purlJam

# Minimalist V-Point Poncho
**A Professional Pattern by the Expert Pattern Designer & Technical Editor**

This poncho is a modern, clean-lined garment designed for beginners. It features a seamless top-down construction with subtle shaping that creates a flattering V-shape at the front and back. The use of a mohair carry-along thread adds a soft "halo" and luxurious feel.

### 1. Materials
*   **Yarn**: 
    *   Main Colour: Approximately 800m of Worsted weight yarn (e.g., 10-ply wool or alpaca).
    *   Carry-along: Approximately 800m of Lace weight Mohair/Silk blend.
    *   *Note: Both yarns are held together throughout.*
*   **Needles**: 6mm circular needles (60cm and 100cm lengths recommended to accommodate increasing stitch counts).
*   **Notions**: 4 stitch markers (one of a different colour to mark the beginning of the round), tapestry needle.

### 2. Tension (Gauge)
14 stitches and 20 rounds = 10cm (4") in stocking stitch using 6mm needles, measured after light blocking.
*(Calculation: 1 stitch = 0.71cm; 1 round = 0.5cm)*

### 3. Abbreviations (UK Terminology)
*   **cm**: centimetres
*   **k**: knit
*   **m1l (make one left)**: Pick up the bar between stitches from front to back, knit into the back leg.
*   **m1r (make one right)**: Pick up the bar between stitches from back to front, knit into the front leg.
*   **pm**: place marker
*   **sm**: slip marker
*   **st(s)**: stitch(es)
*   **st st**: stocking stitch (knit every round)

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### 4. Instructions

#### Neckline
Using 6mm needles and both strands of yarn held together, cast on **84 stitches** using a standard long-tail cast-on. Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist the stitches. Place the unique marker for the beginning of the round (this will be the Centre Back).

**Rounds 1–4**: Knit all stitches. (This creates a tiny rolled edge for an anonymous finish).

#### Set-up Round (Placement of Markers)
**Round 5**: 
1.  K10, pm (Right Shoulder).
2.  K21, pm (Centre Front).
3.  K21, pm (Left Shoulder).
4.  K21, pm (Centre Back marker is already in place).
5.  Knit to end of round.
*(Stitch Check: 4 sections of 21 stitches each = 84 sts total)*

#### Body Shaping
**Round 6 (Increase Round)**: 
*   [K1, m1r, knit to 1 st before marker, m1l, k1, sm] repeat 4 times total.
*(8 stitches increased. Total: 92 sts)*

**Round 7**: Knit all stitches.

**Repeat Rounds 6 and 7** until the poncho reaches your desired length from the shoulder to the wrist, or until the garment measures approximately 50cm from the cast-on edge (measured straight down).
*(Note: As the stitch count increases, switch to the longer circular needle).*

**Math Validation**: 
Each increase round adds 8 stitches. To reach a width of 110cm at the widest point (circumference 220cm), you will have approximately 308 stitches on the needle. 
*(308 sts / 1.4 sts per cm = 220cm total circumference)*.

#### Finishing Edge
To maintain the "no rib" requirement and prevent curling, we will finish with an I-cord bind-off.

**Bind-off Round**: 
1.  Cast on 3 stitches onto the left needle using the knitted cast-on method.
2.  *K2, k2tog tbl (knit the last I-cord stitch together with one stitch from the poncho body), slip the 3 stitches back to the left needle.*
3.  Repeat from * to * until all poncho stitches have been bound off.
4.  Graft the remaining 3 I-cord stitches to the start of the I-cord using a tapestry needle.

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### 5. Blocking
1.  Submerge the poncho in lukewarm water with a wool wash for 15 minutes.
2.  Gently squeeze out excess water (do not wring).
3.  Lay flat on blocking mats or a clean towel.
4.  **Important**: Pin the front and back markers downwards to accentuate the V-shape. Pin the shoulder markers slightly outwards to create a smooth curve.
5.  Allow to dry completely away from direct sunlight.

### 6. Technical Summary
*   **Skill Level**: Beginner.
*   **Construction**: Top-down, seamless, 4-point raglan increase.
*   **Final Dimensions**: Adjustable. Standard sample width is approx. 110cm from point to point when flat.