So my friend Alison set me a little challenge for her camping trip.  She wanted a poncho that would be warm, stylish and easy to slip on for late night loo visits.  It had to be practical; so that it would cover her arms but not have to much material at her waist when she sat down, and it had to match her newly spray painted dark red camper van!  

Challenge accepted!!

I got my thinking cap on and played around with some yarn and before long the ‘Kimono-so-Cosy’ Poncho was born. 

Inspired by a short kimono jacket style with flaring sleeves the poncho is actually very easy to make and is designed to hang just below your trouser waist band (though you can just add more rows if you prefer a longer cover up) making it adaptable for wearing.

It’s worked in the round using two strands of Stylecraft double knit (8ply) together with a 7mm (US size K or L) hook so it works up fast. It also makes it super warm for chilly evenings. Made from using two strands of  together 

I made mine in burgundy and gold (Stylecraft colours: Claret and Camel) but there are so many colour options you could try from bold block colours to changing colours every couple of rows. Super versatility!

Kimono-So-Cosy Poncho

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Yarn:

• 600g of YARN A
• 100g of YARN B

(8ply / yarn weight #3)

Note: This pattern is worked by holding two strands of yarn together.

Hook: 7 mm (US size K or L)

You will also need:

• Yarn needle
• 2 x  buttons (Optional)

Gauge:  3 tr/dc = 1¼ inches / 3.1 cm

Size:

22 inches / 56 cm at the front; 38 inches / 96.5 cm at centre sleeve point

These measurements are approximated, and actual subjects may vary. Pattern will work in other yarns though gauge/size will be different.

CHECK YOUR GAUGE, use any size hook to obtain gauge.

Abbreviations:

• st(s) = stitch(es)
• sp = space
• sl st = slip stitch
• ch(s) = chain  
• dc/sc = UK double / US single crochet
• htr/hdc = UK half treble / US half double crochet
• tr/dc = UK treble / US double crochet
• rev.dc/rev.sc = reverse single crochet /  US reverse single crochet

Pattern:

• The poncho is worked from the neck downwards.
• One size fits most but you can lengthen shorten the poncho by increasing or decreasing the number of rows.
• A block consists of 3 x tr/dc in one st

Rnd 1: With Yarn A, ch 66 loosely and taking care to not twist your ch join with sl st in first ch to form a ring. Ch 3, work 2 more tr/dc in same ch as join (first block made), skip next 2 chs, *3 tr/dc in next ch (next block made), skip next 2 chs*; repeat from * to * 8 times, then work [3 tr/dc, ch 2, 3 tr/dc] in the next st (first increase made); repeat from * to * again 10 times then work [3 tr/dc, 2 ch, 3tr/dc] (second increase made) in the remaining ch join with sl st in top of beginning ch, turn (24 Blocks).

Rnd 2: Sl st into the sp between last blocks made and ch 3 (counts as first tr/dc), 2 tr/dc in same sp (first Block made), then work [3 tr/dc, ch 2, 3 tr/dc] into the 2 ch sp of the previous increase (next increase made);  * 3 tr/dc in sp* repeat from * to * 11 times, [3 tr/dc, ch 2, 3 tr/dc] into 2 ch sp of the previous increase (next increase made); repeat from * to * again 10 times join with sl st in top of beginning ch, turn (26 Blocks).

Rnds 3-12: Repeat each row with a block in each sp and an increase on each 2 ch increase of the previous rnd, join with sl st in top of              beginning ch to join, finish off and weave in ends (46 Blocks) 

Rnd 13: Attach Yarn B to any 2 ch increase sp, Ch 3 (counts as first tr/dc), 2 tr/dc in same sp, ch 2, 3 tr/dc in same sp, then work 1 tr/dc in each st along until the next 2 ch sp increase, then work [3 tr/dc, ch 2, 3 tr/dc] into the 2 ch sp of the previous increase.  Continue with 1 tr/dc in each st along until end, sl st in top of              beginning ch to join (150 sts + 2 x 2 ch sps)

Rnd 14: Ch 3 (counts as 1st tr/dc)  work 1 tr/dc in each st around working [3 tr/dc, ch 2, 3 tr/dc] into each of the 2 ch sp of the previous  increases, finish off and weave in ends (162 sts + 2 x 2 ch sps)

Rnd 15: Attach Yarn A to any 2 ch increase sp, Ch 3 (counts as first tr/dc), 2 tr/dc in same sp, ch 2, 3 tr/dc in same sp, then work 1 tr/dc in each st along until the next 2 ch sp increase, then work [3 tr/dc, ch 2, 3 tr/dc] into the 2 ch sp of the previous increase.  Continue with 1 tr/dc in each st along until end, sl st in top of beginning ch to join (174 sts + 2 x 2 ch sps)

Rnd 16: Ch 3 (counts as 1st tr/dc)  work 1 tr/dc in each st around working [3 tr/dc, ch 2, 3 tr/dc] into each of the 2 ch sp of the previous increases, sl st to the top of the beginning ch to join, do not fasten off go to edging (186 sts + 2 x 2 ch sps)

Edging:

Ch 1, skip first dc, 1 rev dc/sc in each tr/dc ending 1 rev dc/sc in 1 ch. Finish off and weave in ends.

Collar:

Rnd 1: With right side facing, Join yarn with sl st, at neck edge, in any st, ch 1 (does not count as a st), 1 htr/hdc in same st as beginning ch and each ch around; sl st to top of beginning htr/hdc to join (66 sts).

Rnd 2: Ch 1 (does not count as a st), 1 htr/hdc in same st as beginning ch and each ch around; sl st to top of beginning htr/hdc to join. Do not fasten off; edge the collar in the same way you have the body of the poncho (66 sts).

Optional:  Arrange the poncho so that the ’points’ of the poncho are positioned for the arms, then add two buttons for decoration purposes to the collar front.