Free Crochet Poncho Pattern With a Pocket

This simple free crochet poncho pattern is a little more fitted than most, offering a versatile wardrobe staple that's perfect for layering. Get the free pattern below or purchase the ad-free printable PDF here.

This free crochet poncho pattern is part of a collaboration with Lion Brand yarn. This post may contain affiliate links.

Please tell me I'm not the only one who has had a grand crochet vision go totally wrong. I wish I could say that everything you see here on the blog slides straight from idea form into crochet reality in a few effortless fireside crochet sessions. Sadly, that's not how it usually goes down.

Most of the time my projects come together four stitches at a time between refilling sippy cups, responding to emails and frogging all my progress a few times. Oh, the frogging. (In case you're not familiar with the term "frogging," it simply means the act of unraveling all your hard-fought crochet or knitting stitches.)

My most recent frog-a-thon transpired because of a well-intended pullover sweater gone wrong. Instead of scrapping the whole thing though, I whittled it into a design that I'm not sure I would have come up with with the pullover sweater detour. I totally love how it turned out though! I know I'll be tossing this poncho on all winter to make some of my ho-hum jeans/long-sleeve shirt combos feel a little more intentional.

Have you ever noticed that just adding another layer of clothing makes the whole outfit more stylish? I've literally seen mannequins at Old Navy with three jean jackets layered on top of each other! Below are a few other free patterns I've designed that I think are great for layering.

More Free Crochet Sweater Patterns

Crochet sweater patterns don't need to be difficult. In fact, most of ours are made with very simple shapes. Dive into the wonderful world of crochet garments with cardigans, pullovers, ponchos, shrugs and more!

See more free crochet sweater patterns →

I've always been a fan of the look of ponchos, but find them a little cumbersome to wear. (Like, how does anyone carry a purse while wearing a poncho!?) This free crochet poncho pattern is decidedly not overwhelming to wear. It's minimalist design keeps the cozy factor of a poncho while feeling more like a sweater or vest while it's on your body.

I used Lion Brand's new Touch of Alpaca yarn for this free crochet poncho pattern because it's the perfect blend of luxury and casual practicality. I love seeing the little alpaca fibers peeking out from the yarn and adding an organic vibe to the texture of this garment. While I didn't set out to design a poncho pattern from the get-go, this is a piece I think I will wear all. the. time. I hope you can do the same!

And I'm happy to let you know that Lion Brand has created a kit that includes all the yarn you'll need to make this crochet poncho, plus a printed copy of the pattern. What a fun package to receive in the mail! Grab your Greyscale Poncho kit here.

You may make items to sell with this free crochet poncho pattern. In exchange, I ask that you link back to this post page. Do not use my photos as your own sales photos. Do not distribute my patterns/templates as your own. Permission is NOT granted for mass production or factory manufacturing of any kind.

New to crocheting garments? Don't miss our Step-By-Step Guide To Sweater Success

Grayscale Free Crochet Poncho Pattern

Purchase the ad-free, printable PDF here.

Add this pattern to your Ravelry favorites here.

Pin it for later here.

Explanation:
If you love the look of ponchos, but don’t care for the bulk, this pattern is for you! Worked sideways in entirely half double crochet, this crochet poncho is created using a simple increase and decrease repeat. The addition of the cowl neck and front pocket make for a super cozy piece that you can layer all fall and winter long.

Supplies:
So you can spend more time making ponchos and less time shopping, this pattern contains affiliate links at no extra cost to you.
Purchase a kit with all the yarn needed to make this poncho, plus a copy of the pattern here.
• Lion Brand Touch of Alpaca (Weight: 4/medium - 207 yds, 3.5 oz)
- Color: Oxford Grey (#150)  5(6,6) skeins
• Tapestry needle
• Size K (6.5 mm) crochet hook
• Size L (8 mm) crochet hook
• Size N (10 mm) crochet hook (optional)
• Stitch markers

Abbreviations (US Terms):
ch – chain
hdc – half double crochet
hdc2tog – half double crochet two together (decrease)
hdcblo - half double crochet through the back loop only
st(s) – stitch(es)
sl st – slip stitch
RS – right side
WS – wrong side

Sizing:
S/M – Circumference around bust/hips: 53” Length: 29”

L/XL - Circumference around bust/hips: 56” Length: 29”

⅔XL - Circumference around bust/hips: 63.5” Length: 30.5”

To make a shorter or longer poncho, simply eliminate or add any multiple of chain stitches in the foundation row. Reference the gauge below for an idea of how many stitches there will be per inch.

Gauge:
9 hdc x 8 rows = 4”

Overall Pattern Notes:
• The pattern is written for the smallest size, with the larger sizes following in parenthesis. S/M (L/XL, 2XL-3XL)

• It is not necessary to use a larger hook to work the initial chains, but if you tend to create tight chains it can be a good idea. 

• The ch 2 at the beginning of each row never counts as a stitch. See photo below for more detailed instruction on increasing and decreasing.

Poncho Front & Back

Notes:
• The front and back of the poncho are identical. You’ll be working sideways, always increasing and decreasing on one side so as to crochet a trapezoid.

Make 2.

Foundation: With size N hook and ch 56.

Switch to size L hook.

Row 1 (RS): Hdc in third ch, hdc in each hdc; turn. (54 hdc)

Row 2 (WS - increase): Ch 2, 2 hdc in first hdc, hdc in each hdc; turn. (55 hdc)

Row 3 (RS increase): Ch 2, hdc in each hdc until 1 remains, 2 hdc in last hdc. (56 hdc)

Repeat Rows 2 and 3 five (five, six) times ending with a Row 3 (right side). You will have increased a total of 12 (12, 14) times and now have a total of 66 (66, 68) sts.

Rows 14-45: Ch 2, hdc in each hdc; turn. (66, 66, 68 hdc)

Size S/M, move on to row 46. Sizes L/XL and 2XL/3XL, please see specific instructions for your size below.

Size L/XL:

Repeat Row 14 four more times.

Size 2XL/3XL:

Repeat Row 14 six more times.

Row 46 (WS – decrease): Ch 2, hdc2tog, hdc in each hdc; turn. (65, 65, 67 hdc)

Row 47 (RS – decrease): Ch 2, hdc in each hdc until 2 remain, hdc2tog; turn. (64, 64, 66 hdc)

Repeat Rows 46 and 47 five times five (five, six) times ending with a Row 47 (right side). You will have decreased a total of 12 (12, 14) times and now have a total of 54 sts.

Fasten off.

Pocket

Notes:
• The pocket is made with the same techniques as the main front and back pieces.

Make 1.

Foundation Row: Using a size N hook, ch 23.

Switch to size L hook.

Row 1 (RS): Hdc in third ch, hdc in each hdc; turn. (21 hdc)

Row 2 (WS – increase): Ch 2, 2 hdc in first hdc, hdc in each hdc until 1 hdc remains, 2 hdc in last hdc; turn. (23 hdc)

Row 3: Ch 2, hdc in each hdc; turn. (23 hdc)

Repeat Rows 2 and 3 five (five, seven) times ending with a Row 3 (right side). You will have increased a total of 6 (6, 8) times per side of the trapezoid and now have a total of 33 (33, 35) sts.

Rows 14-15: Repeat Row 3. (33, 33, 35 hdc)

Fasten off.

Joining Front & Back

Notes: There’s no difference between the WS and RS of these pieces, so just pick the sides that look best to you to designate the “right sides.”

SHOULDER SEAMS: With right sides facing in, use stitch markers to pin the two pieces together at the shoulder. Take care to align each hdc stripe. To mark neck opening in the center of the top edge of the trapezoids, place markers 18 rows apart. Using a doubled over strand of yarn and a tapestry needle, use the mattress stitch to seam from the edge of one shoulder to the neck marker. Fasten off and repeat on the second shoulder.

SIDE SEAMS: Pin pieces together. Place a marker 8.5” (8.5, 10) down from the shoulder seam to denote the bottom of the arm hole. Place another marker 5.5” below the first to denote the bottom of the seam. Using a doubled over strand of yarn and a tapestry needle, use the mattress stitch to seam the 5.5” between the two markers. Fasten off and repeat on second side.

Turn poncho right side out.

Related: 30+ Free Poncho Patterns - for winter and beyond

Joining Pocket

Notes: There’s no difference between the WS and RS of the pocket.

Pin pocket to front of poncho. (In the sample, the bottom of the pocket is 8” above the bottom of the poncho. Feel free to try your poncho on to verify this is your preferred placement.) Ensure that the pocket is centered by counting the number of rows in the poncho on either side of the pocket.

Using a doubled over strand of yarn and a tapestry needle, whip stitch to seam the top and bottom of the pocket to the poncho.

Cowl Neck

Notes:
• The cowl neck is worked in the round using hdc. After Round 1, you’ll be only working into the back loop of each hdc stitch, which is abbreviated “hdcblo.” (If you look at the round of hdc from above, this will be the middle (2^nd) strand of yarn in each stitch.)

• Mentions of “right” and “left” assume the poncho is laid out in front of you.

• The ch 2 at the beginning of each round never counts as a st.

Right-handed crocheters, attach yarn at the neck opening of the right shoulder seam. Left-handed crocheters, attach yarn at the left shoulder seam. Work cowl with RS of poncho facing you.

Round 1: With size K hook ch 2, hdc in each hdc around neck opening to create total of 36 hdc; sl st to second ch from beginning of round to join. (36 hdc)

Rounds 2-13: Ch 2, hdcblo in each hdc; sl st to second ch from beginning of round to join. (36)

Fasten off. Weave in any remaining ends.

Slip your poncho on over your favorite cozy shirt and don’t take it off until Spring!

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Here are a few more free crochet patterns and tutorials from Make & Do Crew you might like to try next:

1. The Revival Scarf - free crochet triangle scarf pattern

2. How to Patch Jeans with Crochet Lace - photo tutorial

3. The Serenity Vest - free crochet draped vest pattern

4. Canyonlands Boho Top - free lace tunic crochet pattern