Cowl-neck Poncho :: ta-dah!

Do you remember when I shared the start of this poncho back in November? I've really enjoyed working this pattern (from Simply Crochet issue 25, designed by Simone Francis) and using this warm, woolly yarn (Drops Nepal, an aran weight wool/alpaca mix), it's been a great project to bridge the (cold) gap between Autumn and Winter.

I used 11 colours altogether, opting for the lovely Light Grey Green as my main colour mixed with a mostly cool palette of blues and purples. I couldn't resist adding in some heat towards the bottom edge though, I love the red/orange/bright pink punch amongst all the cool.

Exact colours as follows....

Top row left-right..

Light Grey Green : Forget-me-not : Light Pistachio : Medium BLue : Denim Blue : Royal Blue

Bottom row left-right..

Deep Red : Orange Mix : Cerise : Grey/Purple : Purple Mix

Once the cowl neck is completed, the rest of the poncho is made from rounds of "granny trebles" with an increase at the centre front and centre back. It's a breeze of a pattern to work, the familiarity of the granny trebles made it very enjoyable indeed.

Hooking up these woolly rows was very soothing and it worked up extremely quickly. Using a 6mm hook generates a pleasing speed and before long I was there at the edge, contemplating what exactly to do. The original pattern had a deep fringe edging, but I wanted something a little bit more contemporary and not too flouncy or floaty. I sampled a good number of ideas before settling on a simple pattern worked in five rounds....

 ...two rounds of double crochet followed by two rounds of chain loops, then a final round to create the pointy waves on the egde-of-the-edge.

I started by working 1 dc into each treble around the edge of the poncho using Forget-Me-Not blue, then a second round of dc's worked in my main colour (light grey green). When I did the second round of dc's, I worked 1dc into each stitch, excepting at the two very points of the poncho (front and back) -  I found I needed to increase by 2 stitches front and back (ie work 2dc's into the 2 centre stitches front and back) to keep the whole thing flat.

I stuck with the main colour for the next three rounds, as follows :

Round 1

Chain 4 (counts as 1 dc + ch-2), skip 1 st, dc in next st. Ch 2, skip 1 st, *dc in next st, ch 2, skip 1 st* 

Repeat between ** until you get back to where you started, sl st into 2nd ch of starting ch-4 to close round.

Round 2

Slip stitch in 1st chain space to begin. Chain 4 (counts as 1 dc + ch-2). *1 dc in next chain space, ch 2*

Repeat between ** until you get back to where you started, sl st into 2nd ch of starting ch-4 to close round. 

Round 3

Slip stitch into the ch-2 space to begin. Chain 2 (counts as 1 dc), then 1 dc, ch-2, 2 dc in the same chain space.

*In the next chain space work 2 dc, ch-2, 2dc*

Repeat between ** until you get back to where you started, sl st into top of starting ch-2 to close round. Fasten off.

It's an easy pattern and gives a neat finish - well I like it anyhow :)

The edging does benefit from some steam blocking to open out those chain loops a bit - there is no quick fix here I'm afraid, you have to give yourself some time and patiently pin out each wave (I use an old non-fluffy towel over a 1-inch piece of foam and pin with T-Pins). 

 

Work on short sections at a time, and use a medium hot iron to puff steam over the surface of crochet (NOTE  >> The iron DOES NOT TOUCH THE CROCHET!)

I didn't bother to steam the main body of the poncho as it didn't need it, it was enough to just concentrate on the edge. Oooo I do like a nice, neat, perky steam finish!

I'm pleased with the way my colours worked out. The original pattern had 16 rows of granny trebles, but I increased mine to 28 to make it long enough without the fringe. I made sure I used the main colour (Light Grey Green) at regular intervals to give the whole thing a bit of rhythm, the rest of the colour order is pretty random really. I have to say that I had rather a big wobble about the whole pink/orange/red idea (I very nearly pulled those colours out and played safe with blues), but I'm glad I stuck with it as I love how those three rows add such vibrancy to the overall look. 

Oh - I think at this point I might need to say..........

"Ta-dah"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

One cowl-neck poncho, all done and dusted and ready to deliver some serious, snugly warmth.

I'm afraid that due to feeling a bit ropey this week I didn't have the patience to provide you with any top-notch selfies. You will have to make do with this rather poor decapitated effort. Sorry 'bout that.

And please excuse my very shabby looking appearance, my charity shop cardy and my frightfully crumpled and faded old linen tunic make me look - er - crumpled and faded. Sorry 'bout that too. But I wanted to give you an idea of poncho length and snugly cowl-neck goings on around the neckline.

Hmmm, about the neckline.....it really is lovely to wear and I think the cowl-neck design is absolute genius. I was worried that it might feel a bit tickly and woolly around my neck, but the 35% Alpaca content keeps it pretty soft.

Some poncho details for you....

Pattern  - from Simply Crochet issue 25, with edging design by me.

Yarn - Drops Nepal in eleven colours.

I used 8 x 50g balls of Light Grey Green, 2 x 50g balls of Forget-me-not and 1 ball each of the other 9 colours. I have a fair bit of yarn left over (the top picture shows what's left) so think I'm going to make some wrist warmers to match.

Hooks - I used a 6.5mm (for the cowl rib) and a 6mm hook (for the body and edging).

♥ Poncho-tastic! ♥

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

 

♥...more little snippets from the Attic...♥

Cowl-neck Poncho

Seasonal

A Gathered Wreath

Comments

[Carolyn Dietrich]

I am once again wowed by your talent at combining colors and modifying patterns. I love, love, love your poncho. I like the way the it almost appears to have sleeves and love the edging you put on it. The warm colors really accent the rest. Lovely, just lovely.

[Susan]

Oh, I just love, love, love this, Lucy. It looks so cozy and warm - just beautiful! I hope you're feeling a bit better these days and able to enjoy this beautiful holiday season with your family. xo

[GIllian McM]

Lucy, I will never get tired of your ta-dah moments - I just love them to bits. They make me very happy!

[cathy]

Beautiful. Thanks for sharing.

[Pauline]

Hi Lucy, this poncho looks really great, hope it's keeping you nice and warm, I also hope you are feeling much better.

Like Robin and Shibuble your HOME PONCHO is the special one and the one we want to make. I have tried to look closely at the one on the hanger to guess how many chains to start along with double crochets and trebles but it is difficult to count and be accurate. So please, please Lucy there are so many of us faithful followers who would like the tutorial so we can make our own Home Poncho's, if you do this for us we will be so excited you will hear all the cheers from around the country coming to you. Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year with the family. Love and best wishes from Pauline xx

[Carol Penoyer]

I have this poncho pattern , haven't started it yet still trying to get christmas croching finished up. Would like to know more about the bag you are holdingPLEASE

[Ria Smits]

wow die wow Lucy that is a a beauty, I'm totaly in love with it.
Greatings and have a nice Christmas, Ria

[Shibuble]

Oh, Lucy!!! I love your take on this. Also, for kindly sharing all the nitty-gritty. Like Robin, it's your HOME PONCHO that makes my heart fly. I'd pay good money for info on that. Yep.

[Annette]

Gorgeous!

[Diane]

It looks fantastic! I cant wait to make one, after I finish my Cosy blanket. Thanks for sharing the link for the pattern, I would never have had the confidence to make it wthout your blog.

[Lisa]

Thanks so much for sharing this, I'm keen to make one next year when I'm done with all my gift making, and all your changes are ones I will make too - length, fringing, etc. Though maybe some more autumnal shades for me ;o)

Have a loverly Christmas!
X

[Marie]

Love it, Lucy! I like it so much better without the fringe. And you look terrific in it. Thank you for sharing!!

[Lise]

Hi Lucy, that is a lovely poncho! Have a Very Merry Christmas with your folks and your crochet! LiseS

[Sharon T.]

That is just fabulous. You are so inspiring.

[Helen]

Ponchotastic!! sums it up perfectly

Hope snuggling in it scares away the lurgy pronto

Feel well soon (x) Helen

[Angie]

I hope I get my SC mag soon so I can make this! It looks great!! ♥

[Sue]

Great job, looks lovely and warm!

[Susan]

Hello Lucy! Just want to say a big thank you for sharing so generously your creativity - whether its ponchos or Christmas cards or cosy blankets - and your positive outlook in life which has certainly inspired me to be more creative and appreciate the simple things in life (not sure if you're aware of the positive influence your blog has but thought this was a good time to let you know!). Want to wish you and your family a very happy Christmas and hope that only good things come your way in the New Year!

[Maureen]

Groovy! Like the neater finish that you get sans fringe. Besides, fringe gets caught on everything.
:) m & jb (who is meowing piteously to go out and will wail piteously in about 90 seconds to come back in)

[Anna]

need the pattern. You did a great job.
Thank you
Anna

[pat farghaly]

That came out lovely. Have a lovely Christmas and New Year. I hope you feel better soon.

[Mary H]

Yours looks much nicer than the model photo! Without fringe was the absolute right way to go and your colors are lovely.

[Gillian Greenshields]

Really fancy making this but really nervous it'll be too tight around my neck.. I could maybe use a bigger hook?

[Kim W]

Very Cute! It is not something I could pull off, but looks great on you Lucy.

[Jill]

You look wonderful and so does your poncho. Well done, you!