North Pole Poncho Done Right

My third North Pole Poncho (free pattern by Petite Stitchery) ticks all the boxes, and full credit goes to this amazing brushed sweater knit from Cali Fabrics.

Version 1

My first North Pole Poncho was an experiment in some mesh fabric that came in a Boho Fabrics clearance box. Being sequestered from society to avoid a virus with a 99% survival rate though, I didn’t find much occasion over the summer to really wear it.

Version 2

NPP #2 was eked out of some freebie fabric from Made of Love that I had thought to use for leggings, but turned out to be two-way stretch so no beuno for leggings. With the limited yardage, I had to shorten it, and the direction of the grain where the sleeves meet the cuffs is problematic with two-way stretch. So, while I still wear it, my forearms end up pretty claustrophobed by the end of the day.

North Pole Poncho Done Right

That brings us to the latest version—my favorite by far. The only adjustment I made (carried over from the second version) is the lengthened cuffs. Everything else was size small, by the book. I—who finds any excuse to skip hemming—even hemmed it.

About the Fabric

• 3 yards of Teal Grey Heather Brushed Stretch Sweater Knit from Cali Fabrics
• remarkable drape
• buttery soft
• 200% horizontal stretch, 50% vertical stretch
• polyester / rayon / spandex
• light midweight
• I don’t know how it manages to have this soft luster to it, but it does and it’s beautiful.
• Being a lighter weight, it’s not the warmest fabric ever, but still super cozy and comfortable.

Ideas for Next Time

• I want to double the length of the cowl to add a bit more drama. It’s a little underwhelming.
• Alternatively, maybe I could hack the Revelry Cape hood onto it.
• I toyed with the idea of adding tabs and buttons to either side of the neck as a way to gather the cowl and hold it in place.
• I also wondered about adding buttons and buttonholes along the bottom hem under the arms for a bit of shaping and interest.

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