The Vale Poncho Cardi is an open-front poncho that’s perfect for layering on chilly days. Its repetitive stitch pattern and simple shaping make it a meditative, beginner-friendly project worked in one piece. A full video tutorial is included to guide you through every step.
Looking for a first time knit garment pattern?
The Vale Poncho Cardi is mix between a poncho and a cardigan, and is a perfect first time cardigan to make for beginner knitters!
With minimal shaping, made in one piece, simple stitches, and a full video tutorial, you can confidently make the Vale Poncho Cardi as your first beginner knit project.
DESCRIPTION
When designing this knit pattern, I liked the idea of a poncho because it feels like a good in between piece of clothing for when you needing a little bit of extra warmth, but can’t quite commit to a sweater.
But the problem with ponchos is that they mess up your hair when you put them on/take them off.
That’s why I settled on this design – a mix between a poncho and a cardigan.
I realized that there was a name for this style of clothing. Some people refer to it as a “ruana”, but as I looked more into it, I found that it would not be appropriate to use that South American word, so that’s why I called it “Poncho Cardi”.
I never want to be culturally offensive, and I hope this way I am being respectful.
The Poncho Cardi is worked in one piece starting at the Back of the bottom hem, working up to the shoulders, working the Right Front, and then working the Left Front.
The Left Front/Right Front are folded over onto the Back, and then two seams are made along the edges to create the armholes.
Simple shaping and simple stitches makes for a fun meditative make that will keep you warm all season!
YARN
For the Vale Poncho Cardi, I used one of my favorite yarns – Hue + Me.
I had been eyeing the “Dirty Chartreuse” color for several months, trying to find an excuse to use it. I have been loving this color as of late and needed to find the perfect design for it!
Did you know that “Chartreuse” is a trending color for Fall 2025 and Spring 2026?
This lime green/yellow color is very unexpected, but fun, which is why so many people are gravitating to it.
Remember how I said if I could make the Easy Street Tee again, I would make it in this color?
So I had to make it happen with this garment design!
There are 33 colors in the Hue + Me color line, and all of them are such beautiful colors!
Each skein has 137 yards (125 meters) per 4.4 oz (125 grams).
The yarn is 80% acrylic and 20% wool, so it is a cozy, soft yarn.
If I made another Vale Poncho Cardi, I think I would make it “Ozone”, which is a light blue/gray.
I always tend to gravitate to the blues, so it’s no surprise that this shade caught my eye.
If you want to stay up to date on yarn sales and when to get a good price, join my newsletter where I’ll clue you in on when there is a good sale.
I love a good sale, so I want gate keep. But I also won’t spam you.
DIFFICULTY
The Vale Poncho Cardi is considered a Level 1 – Beginner pattern.
It is a perfect first pattern for a beginner knitter. No shaping, made in one piece, uses only simple stitches, and it comes with a full video tutorial, so you can follow along with the video to make this beginner knit garment!
To watch the full video tutorial, you can click on the video above, or click HERE.
The Vale Poncho Cardi uses an 8 row repeat, but do not let that intimidate you.
Rows 3&4 alternate with rows 7&8, so it’s more like a 4 row repeat.
Rows 3&4 only begin/end with 1 knit stitch and rows 7&8 begin/end with 2 knit stitches, and that’s the only difference. That’s how you get the alternating rows sections, and why it is an 8 row repeat.
The majority of the pattern is worked garter stitch, which is just knit stitches, so again, a very easy, good beginner knit pattern.
So let’s begin!
MATERIALS
- 1085 yds/8 balls of Lion Brand Yarn Hue + Me Yarn, “Dirty Chartreuse” (617-177P), weight 5, 80% acrylic/20% wool, 137 yds/125 m, 4.4 oz/125 g
- US 10.5/6.5mm circular knitting needles
- Stitch Markers
- Scissors
- Tapestry Needle
- Stitch Holder
- Row Counter (optional)
GAUGE
13 stitches 25 rows = 4″/10 cm
SIZE
One size fits most for this Poncho Cardi. It has a length of 28″ and a width of 34.75″.
TERMINOLOGY
- BO – bind off
- CO – cast on
- k – knit
- rep – repeat
- RS – right side
- sl – slip
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- WS – wrong side
- wyif – with yarn in front
NOTES
- One size fits most for this Poncho Cardi. The weight of the poncho cardi will make it longer when worn.
- Left Front and Right Front refers to when the poncho cardi is worn.
- The poncho cardi is worked in one piece, with the body worked from the bottom up. The Right and Left Fronts are worked one at a time with sts placed on hold from the Back.
- The Left and Right Fronts are folded over the Back and seamed on the outer edges to create armholes.
VIDEO TUTORIAL
There is a full video tutorial to help you make the Vale Poncho Cardi. Click on the picture above, or click HERE to view it.
And check out my shops if you want to get the concise, ad-free, printable pattern. I have three different shops you can purchase it from:
you can get the Lion Brand Yarn kit HERE which includes all of the yarn to make the tee as well as the digital download of the pattern.
PATTERN
BACK
Using the long tail method, CO 113 sts
Row 1 (RS): k across
Row 2: k across
Row 3: k1, *sl 1 purlwise, k1, rep from * across
Row 4: k1, *wyif, sl 1 purlwise, k1, rep from * across
Rows 5-6: k across
Row 7: k2, *sl 1 purlwise, k1, rep from * across, k1
Row 8: k2, *wyif, sl 1 purlwise, k1, rep from * across, k1
Rep Rows 1-8 a total of 20 times, then work Rows 1-5 once more (165 rows)
LEFT FRONT
With WS facing, and yarn still attached,
Row 1 (WS): k55 and leave the rest unworked (see picture below) (55 sts)
Row 2: k2, *sl 1 purlwise, k1, rep from * across, k1
Row 3: k2, *wyif, sl 1 purlwise, k1, rep from * across, k1
Rows 4-5: k across
Row 6: k1, *sl 1 purlwise, k1, rep from * across
Row 7: k1, *wyif, sl 1 purlwise, k1, rep from * across
Row 8: k across
Rep Rows 1-8 a total of 20 times, then work Rows 1-4 once more (164 rows)
BO.
RIGHT FRONT
Place sts on hold back onto needles and rejoin yarn to work a WS row,
Row 1 (WS): BO 3, k across (see picture below) (55 sts)
Row 2: k2, *sl 1 purlwise, k1, rep from * across, k1
Row 3: k2, *wyif, sl 1 purlwise, k1, rep from * across, k1
Rows 4-5: k across
Row 6: k1, *sl 1 purlwise, k1, rep from * across
Row 7: k1, *wyif, sl 1 purlwise, k1, rep from * across
Rows 8-9: k across
Rep Rows 2-9 a total of 20 times, then work Rows 2-4 once more (164 rows)
BO.
SIDE SEAMING
Place a stitch marker 12”/30 cm down from shoulders on both Right Front and Left Front (see picture below).
Seam the sides from the Back CO edge to the stitch marker. (I whipped st together with WS facing.)
Rep for the other side.
Fasten off and weave in ends.
Code Word: Vale
And that’s how you make the Vale Poncho Cardi!
Make sure that when you post to social media or another platform, please refer back to me as the designer. If you are on Instagram, tag @CozyNooksDesigns for a change to be featured!
ABOUT THE DESIGNER
Cozy Nooks Designs
Rachel Alford from Cozy Nooks Designs was on the PBS TV show Knit and Crochet Now! season 13. She also designs for Lion Brand Yarn, has been in several crochet/knit magazines, and freelances by filming videos for Annie’s online episodes. Be sure to check out her YouTube Channel for tips, tricks, & tutorials!
