Pattern: Collared Poncho with Flower Trim

Yeah, that's me modeling this poncho. Brigid took the photos, and apparently she had no problem cutting my head off! (Click on photo for a larger view.)

I designed my own poncho recently. I used TLC Amoré for the body of my poncho and Red Heart Super Saver for the flower, but I think this pattern should work with any yarn. I do like how the TLC Amoré drapes, though, and how soft it feels.

This poncho has four points. The increases at the front and back points alternate between 3 dc and 5 dc every other row, but the increases at the shoulder points are always 3 dc. This method makes a poncho that is slightly longer in the front/back and shorter from side to side.

The neckline is an open collar, and I've attached a crochet flower for added interest.

The poncho I made would fit a medium through an extra large, but ponchos are really easy to alter so they fit properly. In this one, be sure the beginning chain is long enough to fit around your head and settle comfortably on your shoulders.

If you need to adjust the beginning chain (smaller or larger), make sure you chain a multiple of 4, plus 2 more. My starting chain is 70 (or 68 + 2), which gives 68 stitches in each collar row. Then when you start the body portion, divide the number of stitches by 4 to determine where to put the increases. In my poncho, I used 68 ÷ 4, which is 17, so I dc in 16 stitches and increase in the 17th stitch.

Then, because this is crocheted from the neck down, once you start the body portion, you just keep crocheting until it's as long as you want it to be.

I use four stitch markers (I use small safety pins) to mark the increase stitches so that I don't have to pay too much attention to what I'm doing.

COLLARED PONCHO with FLOWER TRIM

Size: From bottom of collar to front point, approximately 25". From bottom of collar to side point, approximately 22".

2 6-ounce skeins of Plum TLC Amoré
1 6-ounce skein of Lake Blue TLC Amoré
small amount of Plumberry Red Heart Super Saver
J hook

Gauge: 5 dc = 2"; 3 rows = 2"

Note: Ch 2 counts as first dc in each row or round. You can ch 3 if you prefer.

Collar
With Plum, chain 70. (mult 4 + 2)
Row 1: Dc in 3rd ch from hook, and in each ch across. Ch 2 and turn. (68 st)
Row 2: Dc in each st across. Ch 2 and turn. (68 st)
Rows 3-5: Repeat row 2.
Row 6: Dc in each st across. Cut Plum, leaving a 6"-8" tail for weaving in, and join Lake Blue. Ch 2 and turn. (68 st)

Body
Round 1: Dc in each st across. Join with a sl st to first dc. Do not turn. (68 st)
Round 2: Ch 2. Dc in next 16 st, *3 dc in next st, dc in next 16 st. Repeat from * two more times. 2 dc in last st, join with a sl st to the top of the ch-2, forming the last 3-dc cluster. (76 st)
Round 3: Ch 2. Dc in each st around, BUT: 3 dc in center st of the 3-dc clusters at each shoulder, and 5 dc in center st of the 3-dc clusters at front and back. Join with a sl st to the top of the ch-2.
Round 4: Ch 2. Dc in each st around, BUT: 3 dc in center st of each cluster. Join with a sl st to the top of the ch-2.

Repeat rounds 3 and 4 until you have 9 rounds of Lake Blue. At the end of round 9, cut Lake Blue, leaving a 6"-8" tail for weaving in, and join Plum.

Repeat rounds 3 and 4 until you have 20 rounds of Plum, or until poncho is desired length. Cut Plum, leaving a 6"-8" tail for weaving in, and join Lake Blue.

Work one more round in Lake Blue.

Border round: *Ch 3, sc in 3rd ch from hook, skip next st, sl st in next st. Repeat from * around. Fasten off. Weave in all ends.

Flower
With Plumberry, and leaving a long tail to tie flower at the end, ch 4, join to form a ring.
Round 1: *Sc, 2 dc, sc into the ring. Repeat from * four more times. (5 petals)
Round 2: Ch 3, join with a sl st to 2nd sc on back of each petal. Repeat so you have 5 sets of ch 3. Join with a sl st.
Round 3: Sc, 4 dc in each of the ch-3 spaces. (5 petals)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail.
Weave the two tails in enough to secure stitches, then use the remaining length to tie the flower to the front of the collar.


Here's the front point and one shoulder point. (Click on photos for a larger view.)



Another view



Notice the picot border.



Close-up of the collar and the flower


Hey, thanks for all the kind comments and e-mail you all have sent me. I really appreciate hearing from you. Thanks for reading my blog!