They’re new yet retro, stylish yet warm, and made in all kinds of yarn, they’re ponchos & swanchos! It took me a minute to figure out what a “swancho” is; it’s the place where a poncho meets a sweater and, believe me, it’s a cozy place to be.
Moving forward into autumn, it’s fun and practical to cast on transitional knits that can layer over lighter things. This is the time of year for versatility, it’s the time of year for ponchos & swanchos! This week, I’m offering 30% off the poncho & swancho patterns in my Ravelry shop. Here are three patterns worked in three different weights offering all kinds of opportunity for color play. Use the coupon code SWAN23 in my Ravelry shop through Friday, October 1.
POINCARÉ
In case you missed it, I love cables, particularly the quirky and unusual. Where ponchos & swanchos are concerned, the Poincaré Poncho features just such a cable.
Bell-shaped and simple in form, the Poincaré Poncho begs to be curled up in. With a quirky 60’s vibe and wide cabled center panel, it’s hip and modern too. A deep collar and hand slashes, both ribbed, make Poincaré a cozy choice. Worked from the top down, this poncho uses seamless yoke shaping everywhere except in its stand-out front cable panel that showcases diamond-shaped twists devolving into simple ropes and ribbing.
Poincaré features an easy but interesting construction method. It is worked from the top down to the hand slashes, then separated and worked flat. Once the hand slash section is complete, the poncho is joined again and completed in the round.
RHYS
Rhys was so popular last week that I decided to feature her again! This is a pet swancho project of mine which I designed in collaboration with my favorite fiber peeps, Hudson + West Co., using their fabulous Forge worsted.
Super modern, super cozy, super fun to make + wear! Cheryl Toy’s Rhys knocks it out of the park with its swoncho shape, bold + modern yoke motif, and overall cozy feel. This pullover is work-from-home and weekend lounging ready. Made seamlessly from the top down, Rhys is knitter-friendly and delivers “one more row” syndrome from cast on to bind off!
Rhys sports a deep, deep yoke to create the swancho shape and provide a canvas for big, bold, graphic colorwork.
GLENWOOD
Glenwood is one of my most popular designs ever! First appearing in April 2020, Glenwood spent several days on Ravelry’s “Hot Right Now” as the poncho & swancho craze lit up. Once again, this is a collaboration with the lovely folks at Hudson + West Co and features their dreamy fingering weight, Weld.
The oversized, top down pullover we’ve all been waiting for, Glenwood by Cheryl Toy is made in our lightweight Weld for an all-season comfort sweater. This cabled and textured pullover is made seamlessly and finishes with a polished tubular bind off.
Glenwood, with its softly draped dolman sleeves and deep ribbing is worked downward from an open, ribbed neckline. Increase points tucked in and around strong vertical cables that run from neck to hem create a generous dolman line. From stitches left live after increases are complete, deep ribbed cuffs are worked. The center panel is worked in simple yet engaging diamond-tuck texture. The effect is stylish, yet roomy and warm with a cozy West Coast feel. The airiness of Weld worked at an open gauge keeps Glenwood light and wearable.
I hope you’ll enjoy knitting these cozy projects as we move forward into autumn!
