The Skittles Summer Crochet Poncho – Free Pattern

I think it’s fair to say that we could all use a bit of sunshine and rainbows to brighten us sometimes so I’m bringing it in crochet form with The Skittles Summer Crochet Poncho!

I don’t know about you but when times are tough I turn to crochet to keep me grounded, keep me busy and keep me going.

If you’re like me then I’m so pleased that you’re here and that I can share my next free pattern with you this week, a feast of colour and fun – The Skittles Poncho. It’s made from two matching rectangles of double crochet moss stitch (also known as linen stitch) and with a fringed edge there’s no ends to sew in at all! 

The pattern is size inclusive from XS-5X and includes a section on customising your poncho and making a braided belt to secure it too.

You can carry on reading to find th

You can carry on reading to find the free pattern here in this blogpost or purchase an ad-free, printable PDF version of the Skittles Summer Poncho crochet pattern in my stores to download and print.

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my full disclosure and privacy policy for details.

Option to Purchase and Print >>> Find the Skittles summer poncho pattern in my store

About the Skittles Summer Crochet Poncho

I designed this fun pattern a few years back for Inside Crochet magazine and I’ve always loved wearing it!

The sides aren’t seamed at all (although you could if you wanted to of course!) which makes it so easy to wear over anything, perfect as a bikini or beach cover up and I’ve even dressed it up with heels for a night out too.

The colour work might look tricky but don’t let that put you off – you only need to work one colour per row even though it might not look like that.

Pattern Options

This easy summer poncho crochet pattern is a free crochet pattern in both UK and US terms on the blog for everyone to enjoy, just scroll down to find it.

There are a few ways you can access and enjoy this crochet pattern:

Access for free >>> Scroll down to find the pattern in this blogpost.

Join and save>>> Join HanJan Crochet and receive regular discount codes (and more free patterns too!)

Pin for later >>> Pin the crochet pattern to your crochet Pinterest board.

Yarn

To make the poncho I used Scheepjes – Cahlista which is 100% cotton, 50g/85m and a fabulous Aran weight yarn that comes in a huge range of colours.

You will need approximately 5, (7, 10, 12) balls of: Yarn A: Bridal White 

1, (1, 2, 2) ball/s each of: Yarn B: Apricot, Yarn C: Rich Coral, Yarn D: Tangerine, Yarn E: Yellow Gold, Yarn F: Saffron, Yarn G: Lime, Yarn H: Sky Blue, Yarn I: Powder Blue

A great alternative yarn is Dishie yarn by WeCrochet which is also 100% cotton and has so many vibrant colours too!

If you fancy making this design into a winter crochet poncho instead then I think that City Tweed Aran by WeCrochet would work brilliantly for it!

Tension and Sizing

13st and 10 rows = 10cm by 10cm over main stitch pattern

Sizes shown as: S/M (L/XL, 2X/3X, 4X/5X) 

To fit bust (cm): 71-96.5 (100-117, 120-137, 140-158)

Poncho width (cm): 60 (66, 75, 84.5)

Length (cm): 68 all sizes

The summer crochet poncho is designed to have lots of positive ease (be nice and roomy) but if you’d like yours bigger or smaller then it’s really easy to just adjust the amount of stitches and/or rows you work. The same applies for if you want to make it into a blanket instead. Not that I’m obsessed with blankets at all…!

Materials

Along with the yarn you will also need:

6mm (US J) crochet hook – my favourites are Furls Streamline Swirl crochet hooks or Clover Amour crochet hooks.

Tapestry needle

Scissors

Stitch markers if desired

Notes

The ch1 at the beginning of a row does not count as a stitch

Side tassels are made from ends of rows, so be sure to leave at least 10cm at either end of every row. 

Glossary/Abbreviations

ch(s)	chain(s)
ss	slip stitch
sk	skip
st(s)	stitch(es)
RS	right side
rep	repeat

Stitches

Special Stitch

UK Terms –

2tr two below: 1tr in each of the next two stitches from two rows below, working over the top of ch2 of previous row (on first row work into ch of foundation chain).

US Terms –

2dc two below: 1dc in each of the next two stitches from two rows below, working over the top of ch2 of previous row (on first row work into ch of foundation chain).

This stitch is often referred to as the moss stitch, granite or linen stitch too. I have a step by step tutorial of double crochet moss stitch that might be helpful.

Pattern – Skittles Summer Crochet Poncho

(In standard UK terms – please scroll down for pattern in US terms)

FRONT AND BACK – make two, both alike

Foundation chain: Using B, ch 79 (87, 99, 111)

Row 1: (RS), htr in 2nd ch from hook, htr in next ch, *ch2, skip 2, htr in next 2 chains; rep from * across [78 (86, 98, 110)], change to A

Row 2: ch1, htr in 2, 2tr two below (see special stitch above), *ch2, skip 2sts, 2tr two below, rep from * to last 2sts, htr in 2, change to C

Row 3: ch1, htr in 2, ch2, skip 2 sts, *2tr two below, ch2, skip 2 sts, rep from * to last 2 sts, htr in 2, change to A 

Row 4: ch1, htr in 2, 2tr two below,  *ch2, skip 2 sts, 2tr two below, rep from * to last 2 sts, htr in 2

Rows 3 and 4 create the pattern. 

Repeat the pattern 31 more times, changing colour at end of each row win the following sequence:

D, A, E, A, F, A, G, A, H, A, I, A, *A, A, B, A, C, A, D, A, E, A, F, A, G, A, H, A, I;  rep from * twice more. 

Final Row: Using A, ch1, htr in 4, *2tr two below, htr in 2, rep from * to last 2 sts, htr in 2. Fasten off. 

JOINING

With wrong sides facing, line up panels and work a ss seam along 26 sts either end of final rows of panels to join and create neck hole.  

SIDE TASSELS

Join the side ends into groups of 3 and tie in a secure knot to create tassels. Use a needle to tease individual strands of cotton out to make fluffy. 

Pop over your head, secure with your favourite belt and enjoy! 

Pattern – Skittles Summer Crochet Poncho

In Standard US Terms (also included in the PDF)

FRONT AND BACK – make two, both alike

Foundation chain: Using B, ch 79 (87, 99, 111)

Row 1: (RS), hdc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc in next ch, *ch2, skip 2, hdc in next 2 chains; rep from * across [78 (86, 98, 110)], change to A

Row 2: ch1, hdc in 2, 2dc two below (see special stitch above), *ch2, skip 2sts, 2dc two below, rep from * to last 2sts, hdc in 2, change to C

Row 3: ch1, hdc in 2, ch2, skip 2 sts, *2dc two below, ch2, skip 2 sts, rep from * to last 2 sts, hdc in 2, change to A 

Row 4: ch1, hdc in 2, 2dc two below,  *ch2, skip 2 sts, 2dc two below, rep from * to last 2 sts, hdc in 2

Rows 3 and 4 create the pattern. 

Repeat the pattern 31 more times, changing colour at end of each row win the following sequence:

D, A, E, A, F, A, G, A, H, A, I, A, *A, A, B, A, C, A, D, A, E, A, F, A, G, A, H, A, I;  rep from * twice more. 

Final Row: Using A, ch1, hdc in 4, *2dc two below, hdc in 2, rep from * to last 2 sts, hdc in 2. Fasten off. 

JOINING

With wrong sides facing, line up panels and work a ss seam along 26 sts either end of final rows of panels to join and create neck hole.  

SIDE TASSELS

Join the side ends into groups of 3 and tie in a secure knot to create tassels. Use a needle to tease individual strands of cotton out to make fluffy. 

Pop over your head, secure with your favourite belt and enjoy! 

Braided Belt Instructions

You can use your favourite belt to pop around the poncho of course but if you’d like to make one then here’s how:

Cut 12 strands of Yarn A to a length of 180 (230)cm to end up with a belt of 1.15 (1.65)m. (You can adjust strands to your preferred length.)

Leaving 18cm at the end, tie the 12 strands together in a firm knot. Place knotted end under some heavy books to keep secure. Group the 12 strands into four sets of three. Each set from left to right is now classed as Set 1, 2, 3, and 4.

Step 1: Take Set 1 and put it over Set 2.

Step 2: Take same set and put it under Set 3.

Step 3: Take same set and put it over Set 4.

Repeat Steps 1-3 working from left to right (sets have now changed position and far left is now Set 1) until approx 20cm remain. Tie braid securely at this end.,

Use a yarn needle to tease individual strands of cotton out to make tassels fluffy.

Thread through poncho at waistline and tie to fasten.

Other summer crochet patterns

If you enjoy making crochet garments for summer then here are a few of my favourites you might like too:

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