Shades of Indigo Poncho
When I heard about Lion Brand's new Jeans yarn, I knew I had to get my hands on some and work it into my next collaboration with them. I'm a huge fan of all of their yarns but this one sounded so amazing that I was particularly excited to work with it. What a way to kick off the new year! Scroll down for my inspiration for this design and the free pattern, click here for the purchasable ad-free PDF, or grab the kit here from Lion Brand with everything you need to complete the project.
You guys, this yarn was Made. For. Me. Not only does it come in seven of my favorite colors, it's also incredibly soft and heathered in the most beautiful way. And when I say soft, I mean SOFT. I just described it to a customer as having that "washed a million times t-shirt" feel, and I think that's pretty accurate. It's 100% acrylic and super durable so it would be perfect for baby knits since you can easily throw it in the washing machine. I've been wearing this poncho non-stop since I finished it and it still looks flawless.
When I set out to design the project, I knew I wanted to showcase all of the seven amazing colors of the yarn. The four blue hues, along with a light grey, charcoal, and golden orange (perfectly named "Top Stitch") all compliment each other so well that I couldn't choose just a few of them. My studio mate, Annie of Weatherby Denim, works in repurposed denim, deconstructing old jeans and building them into new pants, beautiful ponchos, and modern upholstered cushions. Inspired by her artistry I took a queue from her aesthetic and decided to create a patchwork ruana poncho that could incorporate all of the colors.
I wanted it to be simple, so I chose to work in all half double crochet rectangles. But of course I add to add just one special touch, so I sprinkled some bobbles into two of the rectangles. I must say I love the way it turned out because the Top Stitch color contrasts all of the blues so well and I just adore the little pops of what look like fiery stars in the night sky.
Another thing I love about this pattern is how easy it is to take on the go since it's made in so many different pieces. You can bring only parts of it along and leave the rest at home until you're ready to stitch it all together. Just pop a ball of yarn in your bag with the pattern and work a rectangle here and there.
After I had all of the rectangles sewn together, I felt there was still a little something missing. While trying in on in front of the mirror, I found myself constantly cinching it at the waist, and thus the belt was born. Because if you're going to have bobbles, you might as well also have tassels, right!? I think the belt really completes the look and you can wear it tied or open if you prefer to have it more loose poncho-esque.
I'd highly recommend this pattern to someone who is looking for a simple, easy project that has dramatic final results. Since the majority of the pattern is worked up in only half double crochet, it would also be great for a beginner who is looking to make something really special. There are instructions for doing the bobble in the pattern, so it could be a fun way to learn something new. The most important thing with this guy is to make sure you check your gauge and work super consistently throughout each piece so that they fit together properly. Measurements for each individual piece are provided so you can check your work.
MATERIALS:
2 skeins Lion Brand Jeans in Vintage or approx. 492yds/450m of another worsted weight, cat. 4 yarn for Color A
2 skeins Lion Brand Jeans in Brand New or approx. 492yds/450m of another worsted weight, cat. 4 yarn for Color B
2 skeins Lion Brand Jeans in Stonewash or approx. 492yds/450m of another worsted weight, cat. 4 yarn for Color C
1 skein Lion Brand Jeans in Classic or approx. 492yds/450m of another worsted weight, cat. 4 yarn for Color D
1 skein Lion Brand Jeans in Top Stitch or approx. 246yds/225m of another worsted weight, cat. 4 yarn for Color E
2 skeins Lion Brand Jeans in Faded or approx. 492yds/450m of another worsted weight, cat. 4 yarn for Color F
2 skeins Lion Brand Jeans in Stovepipe or approx. 492yds/450m of another worsted weight, cat. 4 yarn for Color G
Size US J-10 (6mm) crochet hook
Tapestry needle
FINISHED SIZE:
Width: 48”/123cm
Length from shoulder to bottom edge: 30”/76cm
GAUGE:
13.5 sts + 10 rows = 4”/10cm in half double crochet
ABBREVIATIONS:
*All Two of Wands patterns are written in standard US terms*
Ch - Chain
Hdc - Half double crochet
MB - Make bobble
Rep - Repeat
RS - Right side
St(s) - Stitch(es)
STITCH EXPLANATION:
Make Bobble (MB) – Yarn over, insert hook into stitch to be worked, draw up a loop, yarn over, pull through first 2 loops on hook (2 loops on hook remain). Yarn over, insert hook into same stitch, draw up a loop, yarn over, pull through first 2 loops on hook (3 loops on hook remain). Repeat 3 more times for a total of 5 sts worked into the same st (6 loops on hook). Yarn over and pull through all loops on hook.
Note: Pattern is worked in several rectangles that are seamed together to form poncho. The diagram indicates the placement of each piece. The ch 2 at the beginning of each row does not count as a stitch. It is imperative to check gauge and maintain an even tension throughout to ensure pieces fit together.
Piece 1: 48”/122cm long x 6”/15cm wide
Using color A, ch 164.
Row 1: Starting in 3rd ch from hook, hdc across row. (162 sts)
Rows 2-15: Ch 2 (does not count as stitch here and throughout), hdc across row.
Piece 2: 54”/137cm long x 6”/15cm wide
Using color B, ch 184.
Row 1: Starting in 3rd ch from hook, hdc across row. (182 sts)
Rows 2-15: Ch 2, hdc across row.
Piece 3: 26”/66cm long x 12”/30.5cm wide
Using color C, ch 90.
Row 1: Starting in 3rd ch from hook, hdc across row. (88 sts)
Rows 2-30: Ch 2, hdc across row.
Piece 4: 16”/41cm long x 12”/30.5cm wide
Note: Work all bobbles in color E. To change color, work the last yarn over of the previous stitch in the new color. On rows with bobbles/color changes, join color E at the first bobble and carry it along while not in use, cutting it off after the last bobble – to carry along, lay the unused color E on top of the previous row and work over it with color D.
Using color D, ch 56.
Row 1 (RS): Starting in 3rd ch from hook, hdc across row. (54 sts)
Rows 2 and 3: Ch 2, hdc across row.
Row 4: Ch 2, hdc 9, MB, (hdc 16, MB) twice, hdc remaining 10.
Rows 5-9: Ch 2, hdc across row.
Row 10: Ch 2, (hdc 17, MB) twice, hdc remaining 18.
Rows 11-15: Ch 2, hdc across row.
Row 16: Ch 2, hdc 9, MB, (hdc 16, MB) twice, hdc remaining 10.
Row 17-21: Ch 2, hdc across row.
Row 22: Ch 2, (hdc 17, MB) twice, hdc remaining 18.
Rows 23-27: Ch 2, hdc across row.
Row 28: Ch 2, hdc 9, MB, (hdc 16, MB) twice, hdc remaining 10.
Rows 29 and 30: Ch 2, hdc across row.
Piece 5: 10”/25cm long x 6”/15cm wide
Using color E, ch 36.
Row 1: Starting in 3rd ch from hook, hdc across row. (34 sts)
Rows 2-15: Ch 2, hdc across row.
Piece 6: 28”/71cm long x 8”/20cm wide
Using color F, ch 96.
Row 1: Starting in 3rd ch from hook, hdc across row. (94 sts)
Rows 2-20: Ch 2, hdc across row.
Piece 7: 24”/61cm long x 18”/46cm wide
Using color G, ch 84.
Row 1: Starting in 3rd ch from hook, hdc across row. (82 sts)
Rows 2-45: Ch 2, hdc across row.
Piece 8: 22”/56cm long x 10”/25cm wide
Note: Work all bobbles in color E. To change color, work the last yarn over of the previous stitch in the new color. On rows with bobbles/color changes, join color E at the first bobble and carry it along while not in use, cutting it off after the last bobble – to carry along, lay the unused color E on top of the previous row and work over it with color D.
Using color D, ch 76.
Row 1 (RS): Starting in 3rd ch from hook, hdc across row. (74 sts)
Rows 2 and 3: Ch 2, hdc across row.
Row 4: Ch 2, hdc 9, MB, (hdc 17, MB) three times, hdc remaining 10.
Rows 5-9: Ch 2, hdc across row.
Row 10: Ch 2, hdc 18, MB, (hdc 17, MB) twice, hdc remaining 19.
Rows 11-15: Ch 2, hdc across row.
Row 16: Ch 2, hdc 9, MB, (hdc 17, MB) three times, hdc remaining 10.
Row 17-21: Ch 2, hdc across row.
Row 22: Ch 2, hdc 18, MB, (hdc 17, MB) twice, hdc remaining 19.
Rows 23-25: Ch 2, hdc across row.
Piece 9: 24”/61cm long x 8”/20cm wide
Using color C, ch 84.
Row 1: Starting in 3rd ch from hook, hdc across row. (82 sts)
Rows 2-20: Ch 2, hdc across row.
Piece 10: 16”/41cm long x 6”/15cm wide
Using color B, ch 56.
Row 1: Starting in 3rd ch from hook, hdc across row. (54 sts)
Rows 2-15: Ch 2, hdc across row.
Piece 11: 18”/46cm long x 14”/35.5cm wide
Using color A, ch 62.
Row 1: Starting in 3rd ch from hook, hdc across row. (60 sts)
Rows 2-35: Ch 2, hdc across row.
Piece 12: 16”/41cm long x 10”/25cm wide
Using color E, ch 56.
Row 1: Starting in 3rd ch from hook, hdc across row. (54 sts)
Rows 2-25: Ch 2, hdc across row.
Piece 13: 16”/41cm long x 8”/20cm wide
Using color F, ch 56.
Row 1: Starting in 3rd ch from hook, hdc across row. (54 sts)
Rows 2-20: Ch 2, hdc across row.
Construction:
Block each piece to specified measurements. Lay pieces out as indicated by diagram. Seam pieces together, leaving the center front, indicated by the thick black line on diagram, open and un- seamed approx. 30”/76cm from bottom edge. Secure and weave in all ends.
Belt:
Using color F, ch 212. Starting in 3rd ch from hook, hdc across row.
Fold poncho at shoulder line and lay flat with back side facing up. Lay belt across the back and poke the ends through to the other side through spaces in the stitches, roughly at the waist line but slightly wider. Turn poncho over so that front is facing up. Poke ends up through corresponding spaces on either front piece so that belt is laced through all pieces and can be tied in front.
To make tassels, cut forty 12”/30.5cm lengths and four 18”/46cm lengths of color D. Divide the 12”/ 30.5cm lengths into two groups of 20. Tie each bundle at the middle point with one of the 18”/ 46cm lengths. Fold each bundle in half so that the tie is at the tip of the loop created with the fold. Tie crosswise around each folded bundle about 1⁄2”/1.25cm below top of fold with remaining 18”/ 46cm lengths. Wrap the tails of the ties around and around the bundles and then thread them inside and down the middle of the bundles with a tapestry needle. Tie the tops of the tassels onto the ends of the belt and knot to secure. Thread the tails inside and down the middle of the tassels using a tapestry needle. Trim tassels to desired length.
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