I designed the Brenna Poncho to be worn in a more stylish way than a typical poncho. The addition of a belt adds some shape and flair, and with the back loose, you get the look of a cape. As you can see from the photos, you can crochet the belt which is included in the pattern, or you can add your own. Plus, it’s super warm and soft in Lion Brand Heartland yarn. As written, the poncho measures 38” wide by 33” long, but it’s easily adjusted.
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Skill Level: Easy
Materials:
Lion Brand Heartland in Mammoth Cave – 6 skeins
Lion Brand Heartland in Sequoia – 2 skeins
Lion Brand Heartland in Grand Canyon – 1 skein
Hook size J/10 – 6.00 mm
Stitch markers
Gauge:
12 hdc and 10 rows = 4”
Dimensions:
38” wide by 33” long
Abbreviations:
Ch – chain
Sc – single crochet
Hdc – half double crochet
Dc – double crochet
St, sts – stitch, stitches
Notes:
- Beginning chains don’t count as stitches.
- You will be making 3 panels and sewing them together to form the poncho. The two front panels are left loose at the top to form the collar.
- Be sure to align your rows when you sew the two front panels up the middle for the best appearance.
- The crocheted belt is optional. As you can see from the photo, a wide elastic belt works well.
- You can easily adjust the width by using a longer or shorter starting chain, and the length can be adjusted by increasing or decreasing the rows.
Instructions:
Front panels – make two.
With Mammoth Cave, chain 63.
Row 1: Hdc in third ch from hook and in each ch across. 61 sts.
Rows 2 – 62: Turn, ch 2, hdc in first st and in each st across row.
Row 63: With Sequoia, turn, ch 1, sc in first st, sk 2, *5 dc in next st, sk 2, sc in next st, sk 2*. Repeat from * to * across row. Sc in last st.
Row 64: Turn, ch 3, 2 dc in first st (the ch 3 and 2 dc form a half shell), sk 2, sc in next st (this will be the center of the shell from the previous row), sk 2, *5 dc in next st (this is the sc from the previous row), sk 2, sc in next st, sk 2*. Repeat from * to * across row. Three dc in last st.
Row 65: Turn, ch 1, sc in first st, sk 2, *5 dc in next st, sk 2, sc in next st, sk 2*. Repeat from * to * across row. Sc in last st.
You will be repeating the pattern from rows 64 & 65 to the end of the panel following this color pattern.
Rows 66 – 69: Sequoia
Row 70: Grand Canyon
Row 71: Sequoia
Row 72: Grand Canyon
Back Panel – make one.
With Mammoth Cave, chain 123.
Row 1: Hdc in third ch from hook and in each ch across. 61 sts.
Rows 2 – 62: Turn, ch 2, hdc in first st and in each st across row.
Row 63: With Sequoia, turn, ch 1, sc in first st, sk 2, *5 dc in next st, sk 2, sc in next st, sk 2*. Repeat from * to * across row. Sc in last st.
Row 64: Turn, ch 3, 2 dc in first st (the ch 3 and 2 dc form a half shell), sk 2, sc in next st (this will be the center of the shell from the previous row), sk 2, *5 dc in next st (this is the sc from the previous row), sk 2, sc in next st, sk 2*. Repeat from * to * across row. Three dc in last st.
Row 65: Turn, ch 1, sc in first st, sk 2, *5 dc in next st, sk 2, sc in next st, sk 2*. Repeat from * to * across row. Sc in last st.
You will be repeating the pattern from rows 64 & 65 to the end of the panel following this color pattern.
Rows 66 – 69: Sequoia
Row 70: Grand Canyon
Row 71: Sequoia
Row 72: Grand Canyon
Belt
With Sequoia, chain 201
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each chain across. 200 sts.
Row 2: Turn, ch 2, dc in first st and each st across.
Row 3: With Grand Canyon, turn, ch 1, sc in first st and each st across.
Row 4: With Sequoia, turn, ch 2, dc in first st and each st across.
Row 5: Turn, ch 1, sc in first st and each st across.
Construction:
Lay back panel out flat with right side up.
Lay two front panels evenly on top of the back panels with the wrong sides up. You want the right sides together.
Sew across each shoulder seam from the outside in approximately 15 1/2”. You are not sewing all the way across because this will form the collar.
Sew the two front panels together from the bottom up approximately 25” being careful to align your rows. Again, you’re not sewing all the way up because this forms the collar. I recommend opening up the poncho and laying it totally flat so you don’t accidentally sew through to the back panel.
That’s it! You’re not sewing the side seams so that you can belt it and get that cape effect in the back.
