Smell the Roses – Free Crochet Poncho Pattern (with Shawl Option)

Recently I was gifted some vintage crochet threads by someone who had inherited them from their late great aunt’s haberdashery.

I don’t normally work with crochet thread as the tiny hooks are a little too much of a challenge for my clumsy hands!

However, I really wanted to use some of the thread as a reminder of the generosity of the gifter so I set about designing a pattern to work the thread double with another yarn.

After routing through my stash I decided to use some beautiful 4ply alpaca yarn which I hadn’t quite found a use for. I love the combination of pink and green so used this as the starting point of the design.

The goal was to create a loose drapey fabric which gave a nod to the origin of the materials. The colour combo reminded me of gardens so I decided to add floral clusters and “Smell the Roses” was born!

Download the add-free PDF version of this pattern from Ravelry, Love Crafts or Etsy.

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This pattern uses very simple construction, essentially just making a rectangle and sewing the short side to the top to make the poncho.

I have added instructions in the pattern if you want to just work this as a wrap. Essentially you will just stop a little before the end and not turn the rectangle into a poncho!

Materials

5.5mm crochet hook (Clover Amour all the way for me but always use a hook which suits your crochet style!)

I used about 2.5 20g balls of vintage (20 weight) J & P Coats Mercer-Crochet (100% Cotton) thread in green (see substitution options below!) and  3.5 balls / 175g of Eden Cottage Yarns Askham 4ply in Blossom, 50g balls, 200m / 218 yards. (70% baby alpaca, 30% silk). 

As mentioned, the thread I used was gifted (see below for all the vintage loveliness!) and no meterage was given on the balls so the length is an approximation. However, I used about 2.5 20g balls.

Yarn A: Approximately50g / 500-600m of Cotton Crochet Thread (or equivalent*)

Yarn B: Approximately 700m of 4ply yarn

Yarn Substitution Options

This project is great for stash busting as you can mix and match the yarns you use. Any combination of crochet thread and 4ply / sock yarn should work. But do keep an eye on your gauge as the yarn combination you use will impact the finished size. This is not a problem for the wrap but will effect the neckline of the poncho.

A modern substitution for the vintage thread would be something like DMC Cebelia Crochet Thread No. 20, or Rico Essentials Crochet (which is a little thicker). If your thread is a different weight, it shouldn’t make too much of a difference. I would advise sticking with a thread weight of between 10 and 20 or a lace weight yarn if you want to use a non cotton fibre.

Alternatively, you could try substituting the thread with something a little different like a lightweight mohair yarn, which I think would add a lovely fluffy vibe (this is still on my list to try!)

I think this design would look amazing pairing a 4ply with a lace-weight mohair for example. In fact, that’s going on my to make list right now!!

Gauge

18 sts and 10 rows in 10cm of gently blocked double crochet (UK treble crochet) with Yarn A and B held together using a 5.5mm crochet hook or size needed to meet gauge.

The fabric will stretch when you wear the poncho, so although you can be fairly relaxed about gauge in this pattern, you might want to go down a hook size or so if your gauge is a lot looser! If you are stopping at the wrap then it isn’t so important.

The gauge for the double crochet will be looser than for the lace section so you might also consider working the double crochet rows with a smaller hook (or the lace work with a larger hook!).

Measurements and finished size

Wrap: The finished wrap will be approximately 45cm / 18in deep (rows) and 125cm long (wingspan).

Poncho: The poncho measures around 48cm / 19in in depth and approximately 75cm circumference in around the neckline.

Stitches & Abbreviations (US Terms)

• ch = chain
• dc = double crochet (UK treble crochet)
• fdc = foundation double crochet (foundation treble crochet); click here for a tutorial
• rs = right side
• sp = space
• st = stitch
• trcl = cluster stitch (treble crochet 5 together); see special stitches
• ws = wrong side

Special stitches

Foundation double crochet (fdc)

Click here for a tutorial on foundation double crochet stitches (UK foundation treble crochet)

Treble Cluster Stitch

For the purposes of this pattern, the cluster stitch is essentially the same as working a treble crochet 5 together all in one stitch, or a double treble 5 together if you use UK terms.

You can find a photo and video tutorial explaining crochet cluster bobble stitches in more detail here.

Some people refer to this stitch as a bobble. I wrote a blog post all about the difference between bobble, clusters, puffs and popcorn stitches you may find interesting!

Treble Cluster Stitch Instructions: [Yarn over twice, insert hook, yarn over pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through two loops twice] 5 times, yarn over, pull through all remaining 6 loops to complete the stitch.

Pattern Notes

• The pattern is written in US terms
• Ch2 turning chains do not count as stitches
• Ch4 counts as 1dc, ch1
• Instructions given in [square brackets] should be repeated the exact number of times stated
• Instructions after * should be repeated as indicated
• Numbers in (brackets) at the end of a row are the number of stitches in that row – stitch counts include the ch4 as 1dc and ch1
• All the trcl will be worked on the wrong side and with Yarn B only – drop Yarn A before you start the stitch and pick it up again (so you are working with Yarn A and B) when you work the ch which follows the trcl

The Pattern

Holding both Yarn A and Yarn B together and using a 5.5mm hook;

Row 1 (ws): work 225fsc, turn

Row 2: Ch2 (does not count as st), 1dc into each st to end, turn

Row 3: As row 2

Row 4: Ch4 (counts as 1dc and ch1), sk st at base of ch and next st, 1dc into 3rd st of row, *ch1, sk 1 st, 1dc in next st; rep from * to end, turn (112 ch1-sp, 113 dc)

Row 5: Ch4, 1dc in first ch1-sp, ch1, 1dc in next ch1-sp, *ch1, drop Yarn A and work with Yarn B only, 1trcl in next ch1-sp, pick up Yarn A, [ch1, 1dc in next ch1-sp] 9 times; rep from * to end, turn

Row 6: Ch4, 1dc in next ch1-sp, *ch1, 1dc in next ch1 sp; rep from * to end, turn

Row 7: Ch4, 1dc in first ch-1 sp, [ch1, 1dc in next ch1-sp] 6 times, ch1, drop Yarn A and work with Yarn B only, 1trcl in next ch1-sp, pick up Yarn A, *[ch1, 1dc in next ch1-sp] 9 times, ch1, drop Yarn A and work with Yarn B only, 1trcl in next ch1-sp, pick up Yarn B; rep from * to last 4 ch1-sp, [ch1, 1dc in next ch1-sp] 4 times, to end, turn

Row 8: As Row 6

Row 9: As Row 5

Row 10: As Row 6

Row 11: As Row 7

Row 12: As Row 6

Row 13: Ch2, 1dc in each st to end, turn

Rows 14 – 43: Repeat rows 4 – 13

To work the wrap

Rows 44 – 45: As Row 13 

Fasten off, block to shape and sew in ends

In the images you see of the wrap, I continued to Row 48 of the poncho instructions, blocked and grabbed a couple of snaps rather than repeating Row 13 as mentioned above.

To crochet the Poncho

Row 44: As Row 4

Row 45 – 48: As Row 5

Fasten off and sew in ends

Now we will prepare to construct the poncho, starting by working into the row ends of one of the short sides of your rectangle.

Work into row ends of one short side

With ws facing, join Yarn A and B still held double to the end of the short edge row ends on the opposite end to where you fastened off.

Row 1: Ch2, work a row of dc into the row ends, working approximately 2 dc for each row end, turn

Row 2: Ch2, 1dc in each st to end, turn

Row 3: As Row 2

Fasten off and sew in ends.

I advise blocking the rectangle before construction begins.

Constructing the poncho

Lay the rectangle on a flat surface and fold the unworked row ends across the scarf to meet the top of Row 48 and pin the two pieces together. The ws will be facing you with the rs inside the folded section per the image below.

Sew the two pieces together to crate a shoulder seam. You will have also created a head hole with the remainder of Row 48.

Finishing – Neckline

With ws facing, join Yarns A and B held together to the end of the seam on the neckline side.

Row 1: Work 1 round of dc around the neck line, working 1dc into each ch1-sp and each dc from Row 48, join to the top of the first dc with a ss.

Fasten off and sew in any remaining ends.

Adjustment Tip: If you want to reduce the size of the neckline, you can work up to two more rows of dc around the neck, working a double crochet 2 together at the end of each round.

I hope you have fun making this poncho and would love to see how you get on and what yarn combinations you come up with, so please don’t forget to tag me on Instagram @doraexplored, or use #smelltherosesponcho. I’d love to see and share your efforts!

And as always if you enjoyed this pattern, please help to get the word out by sharing with your friends or using the social buttons below!

Happy hooking

Dx

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