Easy Crochet Poncho Pattern: The Perfect Layer for Cooler Days

My Lavender Fields poncho pattern is designed with two easy crochet rectangles seamed together, showcasing the beautiful texture of the granny spike stitch. The stretchy ribbing forms a comfortable turtle neck, giving a snug yet flexible fit, and matches the ribbed edging and hem to complete the look.  My pattern offers customization options, allowing you to adjust the closure, width, and length for a personalized fit.

My blanket style poncho is an ideal project for stash-busting and working through your yarn leftovers!

Below you’ll find the free pattern but if you prefer to work offline, the PDF is available in my Etsy or Ravelry stores.

Perfect for layering through cooler seasons, the Lavender Fields poncho is an enjoyable and rewarding make that’s both functional and fashionable. 

I hope you’re excited to get started and would love to see your colour choices!  If you need pattern support or want to show off your colours, come and share in the Facebook community.

Happy crocheting!

Why you’ll Love to Crochet my Poncho

Level

Beginner Friendly / Easy

Supplies and Materials

• Aran Weight (#4) yarn: S/M 1722yds; L/XL 1780yds; XXL/XXXL 2173yds
• 5mm / H-8 Crochet Hook
• Stitch Markers
• Tape Measure
• Scissors
• Yarn Needle

Yarn Choices

I bought Elements Panoramic Aran when it was on sale with The Knitting Network thinking the colourway would be fab to use on a cardigan design but when I started crocheting a swatch in the granny spike stitch, I knew it would be perfect for a blanket poncho.  I’ve used this stitch in projects before and love how different it looks to my pocket shawl and vest when worked in a different yarn!

This yarn is a mix of 70% Acrylic and 30% Cotton which I found gives the finished poncho a bit more weight than acrylic on its own.  Perfect for a colder weather make.

Elements Panoramic comes in 100g balls with approximately a length of 225 m / 246yds.  You can machine wash this yarn at 40 degrees, iron on a cool setting but not tumble dry.

You can use any Aran weight yarn for this roll neck poncho.  It’s another fab stash busting project where you can have a rummage through your stash.  If you have DK weight, you can use the stitch gauge converter to make adjustments for the stitch count.  The tool works really well with projects like this, where you don’t need to keep adjusting stitch counts for shaping.

Yarn Substitutions for Elements Panoramic

The two yarns below match gauge and plies:

• Yarnsmiths Daydream Aran
• Stylecraft ReLove

Gauge

Using a 5mm / H-8 hook and granny spike stitch:

16 stitches and 11 rows = 10cm X 10cm

Glossary

Stitches

You will need to know how to work these stitches:

• Single Crochet (sc)
• Single Crochet Back Loop Only (scblo)
• Double Crochet (dc)
• Long Double Crochet (LDC) see how to work the granny spike stitch below
• Slip Stitch (sl st)

How to work the Granny Spike Stitch

The granny stripe stitch is worked in a two-row repeat.

This stitch is similar to the granny stitch but the middle stitch of the 3 double crochets is worked into the row below.  In this pattern, the middle stitch is called a Long Double Crochet (LDC).

See image below for the foundation row and rows 2 and 3 .

Abbreviations

These common abbreviations are used in the pattern:

• Chain (ch)
• Skip (sk)
• Repeat (rep)
• Space (sp)
• Each (ea)
• Stitch/es (st/s)
• Between (bet)
• Increase (incr)
• Right Side (RS)
• Wrong Side (WS)
• Left Hand Side (LHS)

Measurements

Sizes below are the finished size of the width and length.

Size shown is L/XL.

How the Cowl Neck Poncho Pattern is Worked

My poncho pattern is worked in the granny spike stitch from the bottom to the top.

Ribbing for the hem and sides are added to refine the drape. The same ribbing is used to crochet the cowl neck.

1. A rectangle is worked first in the granny spike stitch.
2. Next, you’ll crochet the ribbed hem in single crochet back loop only (scblo).
3. Before working on the ribbed edging, slip stitches (sl st) are worked along both sides.  This gives a neater edge to work the ribbing.  The ribbing is also worked in single crochet back loop only (scblo) but into the slip stitches. Once both rectangles are worked in this way, measurements are taken for the neckline and stitch markers are used to show where to sew the shoulder seams. 
4. Once the shoulder seams are sewn, the cowl neck ribbing is worked by picking up the stitches around the neckline and again working in single crochet back loop only.

Easy!   

Customizing your Poncho

If you would like your poncho to close at the sides there are a few ways you can achieve this:

• Crochet a belt to thread through the fabric at your waist level and tie at the front.
• Crochet ties to thread through the ribbing edge on front and back.
• Sew button/s on the ribbing edge and secure through the edging on the same side.

If you would like to make your poncho wider, add multiples of 4 to your foundation chain.

If you would like to make your poncho longer, continue repeating rows 3 and 4 to your desired length before crocheting the ‘closing’ row (see pattern notes and instructions).

You might like to add tassels to the hem.  Find inspiration for chain, knotted and twisted fringes here.

The ribbed turtleneck is stretchy and snug.  If you prefer yours to be looser, before following the instructions for crocheting the rib, work a round of single crochet stitches around the neckline increasing every 2^nd stitch by working two single crochets in one stitch.

Pattern Notes

• Pattern is written in US Crochet Terms.
• Multiples of 4 (+3).
• Instructions for sizes are written like this: S/M, (L/XL, XXL/XXXL).
• Repeated instructions are written like this: * [ch1, sk next ch, dc in next 3 chs], * rep across to last 5 chs.  This means you will chain one, skip the next chain, double crochet in the next 3 chains and repeat this across to the last 5 chains.
• Chain 1 at the end of rows (turning chain) does not count as a stitch.
• Chain 1 granny spike stitch counts as a stitch.
• Chain 3 counts as a double crochet.
• Chain 4 counts as a double crochet and chain one
• The closing row prepares for shoulder seams and working the cowl neck.
• There is no right or wrong side – choose yours before crocheting the rib and hem.
• Weave in ends as you go.
• Using ‘how the pattern is worked section’ and these pattern notes alongside the instructions will help you successfully complete the project.

Lavender Fields Crochet Poncho Instructions US Crochet Terms

With a 5mm / H-8 hook

Rectangles (make 2)

Ch 87, (95, 103)

Row 1 (foundation): dc in 4th ch from hook and in next 2 chs, * [ch1, sk next ch, dc in next 3 chs], * rep across to last 5 chs, ch1, sk next ch, dc in last 4 chs, ch4, turn (84, 92, 100 sts)

Row 2: sk next 3 dc, *working in ch1-sp, [dc, LDC in sk ch from foundation row, dc, ch1], * rep across to last 4 sts, sk next 3 dc, dc in last st, ch3, turn

Row 3: *working in ch1-sp [dc, LDC in centre dc from prev row, dc, ch1], * rep across to last ch-sp, [dc, LDC, dc] in ch-sp, dc in 3rd ch of turning ch, ch4, turn

Row 4: sk next 3 dc, *working in ch1-sp, [dc, LDC in centre dc from prev row, dc, ch1], * rep across to last 4 sts, sk next 3 sts, dc in top of turning ch, ch3, turn

Rep rows 3 and 4 for a total of 62, (62, 68) rows.

Row 63, (63, 69) – closing row: LDC in 1st ch-sp, dc in ea dc and LDC in ea ch-sp to last ch-sp, LDC in last ch-sp, dc in 3rd ch, dc in 2nd ch

Fasten off

Ribbed Hem

Choose which side RS and rejoin yarn at bottom of rectangle (hem) on LHS (as worn)

Ch11

Row 1: sc in 2^nd ch from hook, sc to hem edge, sl st in next 2 sts on hem edge, turn

Row 2: scblo in ea st to last st, sc in last st, ch1, turn

Row 3: sc in 1^st st, scblo to hem edge, sl st in next 2 sts on hem edge, turn

Rep rows 2 and 3 to end of hem.

DO NOT FASTEN OFF

Ribbed Edging

Working on the RS

*Sl st loosely and evenly along one side of rectangle

Fasten off

Rejoin yarn at hem on 1^st sl st made

Working into back loops of sl sts just made

Ch11

Row 1: sc in 2^nd ch from hook, sc to side edge, sl st in next 2 sts on edge, turn

Row 2: scblo in ea st to last st, sc in last st, ch1, turn

Row 3: sc in 1^st st, scblo to side edge, sl st in next 2 sts on edge, turn

Rep rows 2 and 3 to end of side.

Fasten off

Rejoin yarn on the other side of the same rectangle

Rep from * on the other side

Fasten off

Repeat all ribbing instructions for the second rectangle.

Shoulder Seams

With WS facing outwards, place front and back of poncho together, lining up so they match exactly

Identify the middle stitch and place a st marker

Measure 11cm to the left and place a st marker

Measure 11cm to the right and place a st marker

Remove the middle st marker

The sp bet st markers in the neckline

Sew shoulder seams from the st marker to the edge of the rectangle on both sides.

Turn RS out

Cowl Neck Ribbing

This ribbing is stretchy.  However, if you prefer a looser cowl, work a round of *sc, incr by sc2tog in next st, * rep around and join with sl st

Working on RS, rejoin yarn on neck edge at back of neck

Ch35

Row 1: sc in 2^nd ch from hook, sc to neck edge, sl st in next 2 sts on edge, turn

Row 2: scblo in ea st to last st, sc in last st, ch1, turn

Row 3: sc in 1^st st, scblo to neck edge, sl st in next 2 sts on edge, turn

Rep rows 2 and 3 around neck opening.

Join ribbing with a sl st through one loop on ea side

Fasten off

Fold over to make your cowl neck

Congratulations! Your cowl neck poncho is ready to be blocked and worn

Copyright Notice

The pattern and photographs of this design are the property of Sharon Goodwin at Jera’s Jamboree.  This pattern and design are subject to copyright and are for personal, non-commercial use only.  You may not share, resell, alter or redistribute this pattern in part or in whole. You may, however, sell any finished items you make.  If you would like to include this pattern in a roundup, you may take one photo and link back to this pattern.

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