THE PANDEMIC PONCHO WEEK1

INTRODUCTION

This is meant to be a flexible project; one that can be adapted as needed for however you want it to be. You could just use the pattern to make cushion covers or a blanket if you don't fancy a poncho. We will  be making 2 large rectangles, joining them together to form a poncho shape then adding a neck and any extras. You could make 2 identical rectangles or 2 different ones...1 patterned and 1 plain for example. instructions for the plain square below. 

The pattern should be adapted according to the yarn used and your own tension. If it starts to look as if there are too many stitches then do less - just space them out evenly and do the same on all sides. If the pattern calls for 3 trebles in  a space but it is just doesn't lie flat for you then only do 2 . Don't panic if you can't follow the pattern EXACTLY  -  just use it as a guide - and don't be afraid to FROG  (pull it out) and do it again...that is how we learn what works and what doesn't! 

More importantly, as I type this is still a work in progress....I will be finishing this poncho over the next week but wanted to share the start as soon as I could. I can't even be certain how many weeks it will run for but I imagine for about 6-8 weeks depending on how fast you make the second rectangle! You should try to make both rectangles at the same time so you will be ready to join as soon as they are finished.  

 MATERIALS USED: 500-800g chunky yarn (I have used colour-changing but plain would work too) with a size 5mm hook (This is a GUESSTIMATE and will vary according to the yarn used and individual tension). This will also mean that you need to be prepared to add or remove stitches where necesssary to keep the shape of the rectangle - have the courage to see what looks right and adapt where needed. I have started off adding photos of each step but once the main square pattern is finished there will simpy be written instructions. 

ABBREVIATIONS :

Ch - chain

Slsttj - slip stitch to join

dc - double crochet

htr - half treble

tr - treble

dbtr - double treble

v-stitch - 1tr 1ch 1tr in indicated stitch/space

fpdc - front post double crochet

fptr - front post treble

bptr - back post treble

5 tr cl  - 5 treble puff - *yo into stitch, pull through a loop, yo pull through 2, repeat from * 4 more times until 6 loops on hook, yo pull through all 6 loops

INSTRUCTIONS

SLIP STITCH TO JOIN AT THE END OF EVERY ROW

Ch7, slsttj

1) ch3, 11 tr in ring ( 12 tr)

2) Ch3, 1 tr at bottom of ch, 2 tr in each of the next tr , slsttj (24 tr)

3) ch1, 1dc at bottom of ch, *ch6, miss next 2 trs, 1 dc in next tr, rep from * 6 times, ch6, slsttj to 1st dc. (8  6-ch sps)

4) Slip stitch in to next ch-sp, (1dc, 2htr, 3tr, 2 htr, 1dc)  in to the same space,

Then do (1dc, 2htr, 3tr, 2 htr, 1dc) in every ch-sp around , slst to back of 1st dc made. (8 petals)

5) Working behind the petals, *ch6, then fpdc (front post double crochet) around the post of the next dc from round 3 (the stitch lying in between the petals), rep from * all the way round to make 8 6-ch sps behind the petals.

Front post dc around the dc from row 3 - put hook from front around the post

then yo

and pull the yarn back through

2 loops on hook

yo pull through 2 loops (1fpdc worked)

8 6-ch sps at back of petals

6) slip stitch in to the next 6-ch sp and do (1dc, 1htr, 2tr, 3 dbtr, 2 tr, 1htr, 1dc) in the space and in each 6-ch sp, slsttojoin

Second row of petals plus chains from Round 6 plus start of round 7

 7) Sl st in the next 4 sts, ch1, 1dc in same place, 1 dc in each of next 2 sts, * ch5, 1 dc in each of next 3 dbtr from row below, ch8, ** 1dc in each of next 3 dbtr from row below, rep from * twice and from * to ** once again, slst to join. (4 x 8-ch-sps and 4 x 5-ch-sps).

8) ch2, now do 1htr in every dc, 5 htr in each 5-ch sp and (5htr 2ch 5htr) in each 8-ch sp around, slsttj

9) Ch2, then 1 htr in every htr around, doing (2htr 1ch 2 htr) in each corner space

10) Ch2, 1 htr in next st, * ch1, miss 1st st, 1 htr in  each of next 2 sts, rep from * along the edges, doing 2htr 1 ch 2 htr in the corners, slsttj. ( I had an extra st at the end but ignore it as it really won't make a difference)

ALTERNATIVE PLAIN CENTRE

If you don't fancy the flower on your poncho here is a plain centre instead. 

Ch5 slstj

1) Ch3, 11 tr in ring = 12 trebles

2)  Ch3, 1 tr in same place, 2 tr in every stitch around (24 trebles)

3) Ch4 (=1 tr =1ch), 1tr 1ch in every stitch around

4) Ch3 (in ch-sp) Begin Puff (yo into same place, yo pull through 2) twice , yo pull through all 3 loops, *Ch1, 3Tr Puff in next ch-sp - (yo, into stitch, pull through a loop, yo pull through 2), 3 times, you pull through all 4 loops - repeat from * to end . 

5) Ch3, in space between next 2 puffs work 3tr 2ch 3tr (1st corner), now work 2 trs in each of next 5 ch-sps between the puffs, work 3tr 2ch 3tr in next ch-sp (2nd corner), continue around finishing with 1 tr next to the ch3 at the start to make the final 2 trs.

6) Ch3, 1 tr in every stitch around, working 2 tr 2ch 2tr in each corner. 

NOW  CONTINUE AS FOR MAIN PATTERN FROM ROUND 9 (on this round you will be working the Htrs in to trebles below not htrs but it will work out the same).