It's the cover up that everyone's asking for: the poncho. What's extra special about our version is smart shaping: it's crocheted from the neck down, and the pattern is offered in a long or cropped version. The new soft acrylic yarns work especially well for this pattern.

SIZES

To fit Small (30/32" bust), Medium (34/38" bust) and Large (40/46" bust). Choose a longer (24") version or make it even quicker in a fashionably cropped (16") length as shown.

MATERIALS

• Long version
  Worsted-weight yarn—30 (35, 40) ounces
• Cropped version
  Worsted-weight yarn—20 (25, 30) ounces
• Both versions
  Size P (11.5mm) crochet hook
• Pompom template or cardboard and scissors to make template

GAUGE

7 sts and 4 rnds to 4" in dc using size P (11.5mm) hook and 2 strands of yarn held tog. TAKE TIME TO CHECK GAUGE.

SHELL STITCH

(2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) into next st.

Notes

1. Use two strands of yarn held tog throughout.
2. Poncho is worked in the round from neck down.
3. Joining of rnds is at right shoulder.

PONCHO

With 2 strands held tog, ch 40 (44, 48), join with sl st to first ch, being sure not to twist ch. Ch 1, turn.

Foundation rnd

Sc into each ch around, join with sl st to t-ch - 40 (44, 48) sc, Ch 3 turn.
Rnd 1: Sk 1 sc, work 1 dc in each of next 6 (7, 8) sc, [sk 1 sc, work shell st into next sc, sk 1 sc, 1 dc in each of next 7 (8, 9) sc] 3 times, sk 1 sc, shell st in next sc, join with sl st to top of t-ch. Ch 3, turn (4 increases made).
Rnd 2: [Sk 2 dc, work 1 shell st in ch-2 sp, sk1 dc, work 1 dc in each of next 8 (9, 10) dc] 3 times, sk 2 dc, work shell st in next ch-2 sp, sk1 dc, work 1 dc in each of last 7 (8, 9) dc. Join with sl st to top of t-ch. Ch 3, turn (4 increases made).
Rnd 3: Sk first dc, work 1 dc in each of next 8 (9, 10) dc, [sk 1 dc, work shell st into next ch-2 sp, sk 2 dc, work 1 dc in each of next 9 (10, 11) dc] 3 times, sk 1 dc, work shell st in next ch-2 sp, sl st, in top of t-ch Ch 3, turn ( 4 increases made).

Cont to rep rnds 2 and 3 and cont in this way to inc 4 sts every rnd, having 1 more dc between each shell, until there are 20 (22, 24) dc between each shell.

CROPPED VERSION

Cont to work even, skipping 2 dc before and after every shell and keeping 20 (22, 24) dc between each shell until piece measures 16" from beg, or desired length.

LONG VERSION

Cont to work even as for cropped version until piece measures 24" from beg, or desired length.

FINISHING

With crochet hook and 2 strands yarn, make a ch 36" long. Thread ch through foundation rnd. Make 2 pompoms. Use purchased pompom template, or cut double layer of cardboard in "C" shape, 3" in diameter. Wrap yarn around the template until center is filled. Cut perimeter and the yarn between the layers of cardboard to secure center of pompom. Trim pompoms and secure of each end of ch.

ABBREVIATIONS

beg: begin(ning)
ch: chain
cont: continue
dc: double crochet
inc: increase
rep: repeat
rnd(s): round(s)
sc: single crochet
sk: skip
Sl st: slip stitch
Sp: space
St(s): stitch(es)
t-ch: turning chain
tog: together

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of these instructions. We cannot be responsible, however, for variances in individual techniques, human errors or typographical mistakes.

© 2007 Craft Yarn Council of America