Autumn, with cooler, shorter, rainy days has come even to our warm corner of the world, and what can be better to celebrate this change of seasons than a new warm cozy poncho (crocheted out of upcycled merino wool with an alpaca trim)? It feels like wearing a snuggly blanket and making it was pure delight.
I kind of winged it and don’t have an exact pattern precisely because it’s such a basic, easy garment. Essentially, if you know how to make a granny square, you can make a basic poncho.
Start by creating a chain and joining the two ends together, making a circle. This will be the head opening so don’t make it too tight. Make a row of double crochet around the chain, adjusting your number of stitches so that it’s a multiple of 4.
Divide the number of stitches by 4 and, at the end of each quarter, create a corner as you would when making a granny square and crocheting from the center. Once you have your corners established, that’s it! You just keep adding, and the possibilities are endless. I used a freestyle combo of V-stitches and puff V-stitches for a bumpy textured look.
Once you have made your poncho as long as you like, return to the beginning and start working upwards from your foundation chain to make the cowl neck. I used this vintage pattern for mine:
In the end, if you have some leftover yarn, you can choose to make a fringe like I did. There are several methods for making a fringe, and I chose the simplest one I could find. I love fringes for the cute boho look they give and for their ability to make a garment visually longer with very little effort and comparatively little yarn.
With some creativity and daring, you can make your own original cozy poncho. Happy crafting!
Domestic Felicity 
Lovely for these chilly days on us now!! You are indeed quite the crocheter!! I need to get back to work on some of my crochet projects…it DOES help my arthritic hands not to hurt much…if I do it just 3 times a week for at least 20-30 minutes each time…but it has been a LONG time now…and I need to get at it…thanks for the encouragement!!
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Elizabeth, once you get into the groove you just keep going, and it feels so good! Definitely worth the effort.
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Yes, you are right!! I read not long ago that knitting anyway, can actually repair parts of the brain damaged by trauma!! Stands to reason to me at least, that crochet may also be of help!! I have heard it called “being in the zone” when one knits or crochets…and certainly it does contribute to a feeling of calm and peacefulness!! Thanks for encouragement…heh, the projects are closeby in this apt…just gotta get going again!!
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Yes, crochet and other crafts (basket weaving, cross stitch, pottery) are just as beneficial as knitting in this regard. We are wired to create something with our hands every day! It actually releases serotonin (the same substance for the lack of which people take antidepressants). Working with one’s hands can, in fact, sometimes eliminate the need to pop mood stabilizing pills.
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That is amazing!! I had not heard this…but we were meant to work in some way or another!!
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With our hands, you mean! Yes!! Creative work is good and healthy for us!
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