Cowl Poncho Made to Order

So, here is my written version of the cowl neck poncho, but written in a way that it can be adjusted for different sizes, hooks sizes, yarns, etc.

Note: I recount every few rows to make sure I have the correct number of stitches.

Any yarn, Any hook

Stitches in US terms

Slip Stitch (sl)

Chain (ch)

Double Crochet (dc)

Ribbing stitch:

Front Post Double Crochet (fpdc)

Back Post Double Crochet (bpdc)

The ribbing stitch alternates fpdc and bpdc around the dc bars from the row below, creating a ribbed effect.

Poncho stitch:

Cluster (3 dc in the same stitch/space)

Back Cluster increase (ch 3, 2 dc, in same space – continue in pattern around rest of the row – at the end work another 3dc into same starting space at the beginning, ch 1, sl st to top of starting ch 3)

Front cluster increase (3dc, ch 1, 3dc all in same space)

Cowl

Start chain stitching until the chain will go comfortable fit over the head and around the neck. Make sure it is an even number of stiches. Join to form a ring, making sure that the chain doesn’t twist.

Row 1

Chain 3, dc in the next stitch and all the way around, joining with sl to top of first ch 3.

Row 2 – beginning of ribbing stitch

Ch 2, fpdc around dc bar in row below, bpdc around next dc. Repeat this alternating pattern until reaching the beginning, then sl to top of beginning ch.

Rows 3 – ? desired height of neck

Continue the ribbing pattern until the cowl reaches your desired height. You have two options here. For a true cowl, you will need to continue until the neck can be folded over on itself and have enough fabric – how much is up to you and how it looks. Or, you could leave it shorter and make it more like a mock turtleneck (not folded over). Whichever way you prefer, continue to try the neck on to check the height and fit. If you are going to do the cowl option, you need to turn the neck inside out before continuing with the poncho (for the fold to be right-side out). If you are skipping the cowl and the neck won’t be folded over, then don’t turn the cowl inside out.

Do not cut yarn from last ribbing row.

Poncho

Row 1

Ch 3, dc in the top of each fpdc and bpdc (normal dc stitches here, not the fp and bp/ribbed stitch) all the way around, join with sl to top of ch 3. RECOUNT to make sure you have an even number of stitches. If you now have odd stiches, add an extra stitch at the back. It will be easily hidden.

How the Poncho will Be Configured

The poncho has two points, one in the front and one in the back. The point is where you are going to do an increase cluster – which is basically two clusters (3dcs) in the same stitch with a ch in between the two. So 3dc, ch, 3dc. I create my seam in the back, so this is where I start, but I do half the cluster at the beginning, and half at the end.

Count the stitches and divide in half. Use that number to find the front middle stitch. The back middle stitch is easy to find because that is where the seam is. Mark the front stitch because this is where you are going to make Front Cluster Increase.

Row 2

Ch 3, 2 dc in same stitch (first half of back cluster increase made – the other half will be made when you come back around at the end), *sk the next dc, 3dc in next dc*. Continue to work the number cluster stitches until you reach your front middle stitch. When you get to your front middle stitch, work 3 dc, ch, 3dc into that stitch.  Continue with *sk st, 3 dc* until you are back at the beginning. Work 3 dc into the same stitch where you started, ch1, sl st to top of ch 3.

Row 3 and beyond

Now that you have crocheted your first row of clusters, the next part is easy. Sl st into same sp, Ch 3, 2 dc in same space, beginning of back cluster increase made (other part of increase will be made when you come around at the end). In each space between clusters of the previous row, work 3dc, continue until you reach the ch space for the front point/corner. Work 3dc, ch, 3dc – increase cluster made. Continue working 3dc in each space between clusters. When you come back to the beginning, work 3dc in same space as first cluster, ch 1, and slip stitch to top of beginning ch 3.

Repeat row 3 until you have reach desired length. Add fringe or edging as desired.

©BewitchingStitch