Braided Women's Crochet Poncho - Free Pattern + Tutorial

A simple combination of extended half double crochet and slip stitches make for a knit-looking “braided” texture in this free women's crochet poncho pattern. Get the full free pattern below or purchase the ad-free, printable PDF here.

This free women's crochet poncho pattern is part of a collaboration with my friends at Lion Brand Yarn. This post contains affiliate links.

On my way home from visiting Lion Brand in New York a few weeks ago, I found myself on a plane, sleep deprived with one ball of Scarfie yarn and (gasp!) no internet access. Without any way to look up stitch tutorials or even peruse Pinterest for texture inspiration, I was left with only a hook and my imagination.

The Stitch

Three and a half hours later I touched down in Denver with a new (or at least new to me) combination of crochet stitches that looks quite knit or even braided. I've been loving crochet projects that look knit lately (see a bunch of my faves here), so I had been thinking about how a slip stitch, when worked a certain way, looks a bit like a knit stitch.

Throw in some extended half double crochet stitches so the thing doesn't take f-o-r-e-v-e-r and you've got yourself a really pretty stitch pattern that's super easy to execute. UPDATE: You can find the step-by-step video tutorial for this stitch here.

The Construction

Like many of my projects, this free women's crochet poncho pattern is constructed from two simple rectangles. Make a third rectangle for the collar, add a dash of fringe and you've got yourself a southwestern-inspired garment that looks like an intentional style decision--and feels like pajamas!

If you like making stylish sweaters and garments out of an ol' unassuming rectangle, you may like these free crochet patterns too:

1. Habitat Sweater // 2. Navajo Shrug // 3. Stonewash Shrug // 4. Dwell Sweater

The Yarn

The Lion Brand Scarfie yarn used in the sample has been on my list to try for a long time. I love how its slightly roving-looking texture is a category 5 yarn (one heavier than worsted weight) because it makes projects quicker to make without becoming super bulky.

And the stripes! Well, the stripes are really cool to watch develop because the color changes are so gradual and gentle. I really love how Scarfie gives this crochet poncho an organic, cozy and bohemian vibe.

The Detour

I feel like I should admit that when I started this project, I had every intention of it becoming a women's pullover sweater, but after about halfway through my first rectangle, it was clear that the shape I was making was much better suited for a poncho. Ironically, I really love how this sweater-turned-poncho eventually turned out and I hope you do too!

So while you only usually see the finished items on the blog here, know that there are many twists and turns in the journey any project takes to becoming a finished pattern on the site. If like me, you ever find yourself with a big piece of crochet fabric you've spent hours on but don't know what to do with, just keep wrapping it around your body in different configurations until you get an idea! That is my strategy at least. 😉

Braided Boho Poncho
Free Women's Crochet Poncho Pattern

Purchase the ad-free, printable PDF here.

Add this pattern to your Ravelry favorites or queue here.

Pin it for later here.

Explanation:
Feel like you’re wrapped in a fireside woven blanket sweater when you wear this perfectly simple crochet poncho. The self-striping yarn does all the color work and a combination of extended half double crochet and slip stitches make for a knit-looking “braided” texture. A ribbed turnover collar completes this unfussy, but intentional look.

This pattern is made from three basic rectangles and is perfect for a confident beginner. Sizes include S-3x.

Supplies:
• Lion Brand Scarfie (Weight: 5/bulky -  312 yds, 5.3 oz)
- Cream/Silver (#826-216) – 4 (4, 5, 5, 5) skeins
• Tapestry needle
• Size K (6.5 mm) crochet hook
• Stitch markers or safety pins

Sizes:
S/M, M/L, L/XL, 1X/2X, 2X/3X

Gauge:
13 sts = 4”
4.5 rows ehdc + 4 rows sl st = 4”

Abbreviations and Glossary (US Terms):
ch – chain
hdc – half double crochet
edhc – extended half double crochet (see photo below)
sl st – slip stitch
tch – turning chain
st(s) – stitch(es)
RS – right side
WS – wrong side
rep – repeat
PM – place marker

Overall Pattern + Sizing Notes:
• Pattern is written in size S/M with M/L, L/XL, 1X/2X and 2X/3X following in parenthesis. S/M (M/L, L/XL, 1X/2X, 2X/3X)

• When using Scarfie yarn, be mindful of how attaching a new skein will influence the self-striping pattern. Consider breaking yarn and reattaching if skeins don’t naturally create desired striping effects.

• To adjust the width of the poncho, chain any number of sts + 3 for the foundation ch on both the front and the back pieces.

• The ch 3 at the beginning of each row does not count as a stitch.

• See photos below for the hook placement in each row.

• View the step-by-step video tutorial for the stitch used in this pattern here.

FRONT

Foundation Row: Ch 100 (106, 112, 118, 124).

Row 1 (RS): Sk first 3 ch, ehdc in each ch to end of row; turn. (97 (103, 109, 115, 121))

Row 2 (WS): Ch 1, loosely sl st through the middle loop only of each hdc; turn. (97 (103, 109, 115, 121))

Row 3 (RS): Ch 3, ehdc in front loop of each sl st; turn. (97 (103, 109, 115, 121 ))

Row 4 (WS): Ch 1, loosely sl st through the middle loop only of each hdc; turn. (97 (103, 109, 115, 121)

Rows 5-48 (50, 50, 52, 52): Repeat Rows 3 and 4 22 (23, 23, 24, 24) more times, ending with a WS row. There should be a total of 24 (25, 25, 26, 26) rows of ehdc and 24 (25, 25, 26, 26) rows of sl sts.

Row 49 (51, 51, 53, 53) (RS): Repeat Row 4 once more.

Fasten off. Weave in ends.

Rectangle should measure approximately:
S/M: 30” x 23”
M/L: 31.75 x 24”
L/XL: 33.5 x 24”
XL/2XL: 35.5 x 25”
2XL/3XL: 37.25 x 25”

BACK

Notes:
• Front and back are worked identically except for total number of rows.

Foundation Row: Ch 100 (106, 112, 118, 124).

Row 1 (RS): Sk first 3 ch, ehdc in each ch to end of row; turn. (97 (103, 109, 115, 121)

Row 2 (WS): Ch 1, loosely sl st through the middle loop only of each hdc; turn. (97 (103, 109, 115, 121)

Row 3 (RS): Ch 3, ehdc in front loop of each sl st; turn. (97 (103, 109, 115, 121)

Row 4 (WS): Ch 1, loosely sl st through the middle loop only of each hdc; turn. (97 (103, 109, 115, 121)

Rows 5-54 (56, 56, 58, 58): Repeat Rows 3 and 4 25 (26, 26, 27, 27) more times, ending with a WS row. There should be a total of 27 (28, 28, 29, 29) rows of ehdc and 27 (28, 28, 29, 29) rows of sl sts.

Row 55 (57, 57, 59, 59) (RS): Repeat Row 4 once more.

Fasten off. Weave in ends.

Rectangle should measure approximately:
S/M: 30”x 26”
M/L: 31.75 x 26.75”
L/XL: 33.5 x 26.75”
XL/2XL: 35.5 x 27.75”
2XL/3XL: 37.25 x 27.75”

COLLAR

Notes:
• The collar is worked sideways. To achieve the look of the sample using Scarfie yarn, find a place in working yarn where yarn is about to finish one color and transition to next color. This will help ensure balanced gradient look at both edges of collar. (See photo below.)

Foundation Row: Ch 28 (all sizes).

Row 1 (RS): Sk first 2 ch, hdc in each ch to end of row; turn. (26)

Rows 2 (WS): Ch 2, hdc through back loop only of each hdc; turn. (26)

Rows 3 - 39: Ch 2, hdc through back loop only of each hdc; turn. (26)

Fasten off leaving a 24” tail for seaming.

SEAMING FRONT & BACK

IMPORTANT: Keep poncho front facing you as you sl st seam pieces together.

Lay front piece on top of back piece, with RS facing out on both pieces. The foundation ch edges should be oriented toward top of poncho. Join yarn in upper right corner (left corner for lefties).

Working into one ch st of both pieces so as to keep front and back aligned, sl st through 38 (41, 44, 47, 50) foundation chain sts. Fasten off.

Beginning at upper left corner of rectangle (right corner for lefties), count 38 (41, 44, 47, 50) foundation ch sts and PM.

Attach yarn in marked st and sl st along pieces in same direction as first seam until end of row.

SEAMING COLLAR

Fold collar as pictured in photo below. Folded collar should measure approximately 18” wide. Pin collar to poncho keeping overlapping collar pieces in front.

Using collar tail and tapestry needle, seam collar to neck opening.

ADDING FRINGE

Notes:
• To quickly cut fringe pieces of all same length, wrap yarn dozens of times around a small book and insert scissors between front and back cover to cut as pictured above pattern.

Cut  approximately 210 (220, 240, 250, 260) pieces 8” fringe. With RS of poncho facing up, insert hook from the top down and grab five strands of fringe. Pull fringe partially up to top of fabric. Insert fingers through resulting loop of fringe and pull fringe tails through loop. (See photo below.)

Attach fringe at approximately 1.5” intervals along poncho bottom. Rep on second side.

Trim fringe as desired.

Toss on your new braided poncho for your next moonlit desert hike amongst the cacti!

I love to see your finished projects! Use #MakeAndDoCrew and tag me Instagram (@MakeAndDoCrew) to show off your stitches and have a chance to be featured.

Now that you've finished this free women's crochet poncho pattern, you might like these other free patterns from Make & Do Crew!

1. Greyscale Poncho - another free women's crochet poncho pattern that's fitted (and has a pocket!)

2. 1.5 Hour Crochet Beanie + Video Tutorial - whip up this beginner friendly hat during an episode of your favorite show

3. At First Blush Triangle Scarf with Tassels - a surprisingly easy free crochet pattern + video tutorial

4. Sierra Slippers - these mukluk-style crochet slippers make a fast gift idea--for yourself!