Free knitting patterns for cape style ponchos with open and button fronts. Many of the patterns are free. Updated 5/6/24
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These patterns are not my designs but links to other designers who have generously shared their patterns. If you have questions about how to knit a specific pattern, please contact the designer directly.
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Free Patterns
Cardigan Cape
Poncho with with buttoned front and loose sleeves. Sizes To Fit Bust: 32in to 46in. Aran yarn. Designed by Debbie Bliss.
Gansey Cape
Inspired by Gansey sweaters, this buttoned cape wrap uses only knits and purls and occasional slipped stitches, to form textured stripes of basketweave, garter rib, seed stitch, and more. 2 sizes. Bulky weight yarn. A Shawl for Sharing designed by Robbie Laughlin.
Triangular Cape
Flattering poncho wrap with a top knit sideways in stockinette and lower area knit in garter stitch. Sport weight yarn. P41 designed by Ilona Hildebrandt.
Textured Cape
Cropped open front poncho with 12 row repeat texture. Knit flat with bands knit as you go so no picking up stitches. Aran weight yarn. Shrunken Cape designed by Sarah Hatton.
Amora
Versatile poncho wrap with armholes knit with two different colors and textures. Can be worn as cape with front wrapped, open as a cardigan wrap, keyhole scarf, and more. Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Filipa Carneiro. Available in English, Portuguese, Spanish
Pleasantville Poncho
Buttoned front poncho cape or ruana with pockets. Button bands knit as you knit the front. No picking up stitches. Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Lion Brand. A kit is also available.
Cacao
Wrap knit as a rectangle of 2 row repeat Fisherman's Rib and then fastened in front to make a capelet. Super Bulky weight yarn. Designed by Berroco Design Team.
Althea Gail
Collared capelet poncho with folded over collar and lace ruffle knit sideways in garter stitch and shaped with short rows. Aran weight yarn. Designed by Tracey Withanee.
Buttoned Poncho
Versatile cape knit with a 6 row repeat lace pattern. Button in front to make a poncho or button to make sleeves to create a shrug. Aran weight yarn. Designed by Monica Russel.
More Free Patterns
Lacy Ruana
Poncho opened at front and sides knit with an 8 row repeat Herringbone Lace Rib. DK, Aran weight yarn. Designed by Noro.
Top-Down Raglan Capelet
Cape poncho with collar buttoned at the yoke with eyelet lace panels and ridged eyelet trim in contrasting colors. Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Patricia Oakley.
Aran Wrap Poncho
Cabled buttoned front ruana style poncho with collar buttoned in front with Ensign Braid Cables, Puff Stitch on a 4 row texture background. Aran weight yarn. Designed by Nazanin Fard for Red Heart.
Top Down Button Front Capelet
Cape style poncho with collar buttoned in front. Sizes To Fit Bust: 71cm/28in to 157cm/62in. Bulky yarn. Designed by Bernat.
Poncho Wrap
Cape style poncho knit flat with a color that is picked up and fastened with ties. I would use I-cord for the ties instead of the crochet in the in instructions. Bulky yarn. Designed by Lion Brand.
Leotie
Cape style poncho knit top-down construction, with a four-button front closure, an expanding garter stitch section framed by traveling twisted-stitch cables showcasing the center back, and twisted-stitch ribbing at the hem. Sizes 38.5 (41, 44.5, 47, 50.5)”. DK yarn. Designed by Bonnie Dean.
Sagittaria
Easy button front cape style poncho knit with a 2 row repeat slip stitch rib. Sizes X-Small/Small, Medium/Large, and 1X/2X. Aran yarn. Designed by Berroco Design Team.
Covington Cape
Button front cardigan style poncho with a 6 row repeat cable and rib pattern, double breasted front with shawl collar. 2 sizes. Worsted yarn. Designed by Lion Brand.
Quick Knit Capelet
Button front cape style poncho knit flat in garter rib with a collar. No picking up stitches. Quick knit in Super Bulky yarn. Designed by Heather Lodinsky.
Patterns for Purchase
Covetable Cabled Cape
This fabulous cape features bold cabled, shaped hip pockets and slit armholes. The same cable design embellishes the back. Wide lace panels run down each side. Bulky weight yarn. Designed by SweaterBabe.com.
Cadi Cape
Buttoned poncho cape knit in what looks like a textured rib. Sizes X-Small to 2X. Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Berroco.
Floral Top-Down Cape
This shaped cape hugs your shoulders features pretty floral panels that embellish the fronts of the cape. 5 Sizes. Bulky weight yarn. Designed by SweaterBabe.com.
Cabled Capelet
Double-breasted cape poncho with cables. Sizes To Fit Bust: 81cm/32in to 117cm/46in. DK weight yarn. Designed by Debbie Bliss.
Wynter Chill Hooded Cape
Buttoned front poncho cape with generous hood and a unique feature -- the optional inside cowl that is very easily knitted into the garment. Providing additional warmth, the inner cowl is buttoned on the side which allows a smooth seamless appearance. 5 Sizes. Bulky weight yarn. Designed by WomanOnTheWater
P-Rex Poncho
Cape or Poncho with T-Rex inspired short sleeves knit with a combination of two-color brioche and garter stitch adds another texture and color dimension to the pattern. 5 Sizes. Sport weight yarn. Designed by Susanne Sommer. Available in English and German
Playful Poncho
Buttoned front poncho with collar that looks like it's a 2 row repeat. Sizes Size Small/Medium, Large/X-large. Great showcase for self-striping yarn. DK weight yarn. Designed by Mary Maxim
Weekend Cocoon Jacket
Poncho Cape worked in a textured stitch pattern and wide braided cables along the front/neck opening. Constructed of three rectangles seamed together. SizesX-Small (Small, Medium, Large, X-Large, XX- Large). Great showcase for multicolored yarn. Bulky weight yarn. Designed by Sandi Prosser
