Lana Poncho: Free Child’s Crochet Poncho Pattern

Introducing the perfect cozy addition to your little one’s wardrobe – the Lana Poncho – a free child’s crochet poncho pattern!

This free pattern is written for 6 sizes (from 6 months up to 10 years), so no matter your child’s age you’ll be able to make a poncho that fits perfectly.

For our poncho, we’ll be using bulky weight yarn to create a warm and snuggly poncho that will keep your little one cozy all winter long. It’s perfect for throwing on over a sweater for an extra layer of warmth in cooler months.

One of my favorite things about this pattern is that it is worked completely seamlessly, so once you’re done, you’re done!

So, grab your hook and let’s get started on this free crochet poncho pattern!

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Adult Sizes also available!

If you would love to make a matching Adult poncho, you will definitely want to check out the Lana Adult Poncho Crochet Pattern.

This pattern is written for Adult Sizes XS-5X.

View the Adult Lana Poncho Pattern

What you’ll need to crochet this cozy poncho

Yarn

We are making this poncho extra snuggly, so you will need a #5/Bulky weight yarn. I used two different yarns when crocheting my adult and child ponchos.

For the adult size, I used WeCrochet Wonderfluff in the colorway Hare Heather. This yarn is so soft and I always feel extra warm and cozy when I wear my poncho ☺.

I made the child size for my 8 year old daughter and while I would have loved to make a matching one, I unfortunately didn’t have enough Wonderfluff left! So, for the child poncho I used Hobbii Yarns Fluffy Day XL in a gorgeous teal color. This yarn was a little denser than the Wonderfluff but I had no problems keeping the gauge consistent and it turned out really, really well.

Some great alternative yarns include:

• Lion Brand Hue & Me (80% Acrylic, 20% Wool)
• WeCrochet Swish Bulky (100% Superwash Merino Wool)
• Debbie Bliss Merion (50% Wool 50% Acrylic)
• Wool & The Gang Alpachino (60% Merino, 40% Baby Alpaca)

Hook

For my poncho, I used a 6mm (J-10) hook. As with any garment project, gauge is critical so please do make a gauge swatch before you get stuck into the pattern!

Other supplies

You will also need a yarn needle to weave in those ends, and 6 stitch markers to mark your yoke increase points and armhole positions.

How to crochet this chunky kids poncho

This poncho is worked in the round from the top down, and is completely seamless!

For the yoke section, you will work a series of increase rounds in a raglan style (with four increase points – two at the front and two at the back).

Once the poncho is wide enough to accommodate the arms and chest, you will crochet some even rounds (so no increases), before splitting to create the armholes.

It’s really easy to adjust the position of the armholes, and the pattern below includes instructions on how to do this. For a younger child, you may decide to leave out the armholes completely and just go straight to the trim once the poncho is long enough. 

Special Stitches used in this pattern

While basic crochet stitches (mainly double crochet and single crochet) form the basis of this poncho, there are some additional stitches you will need to know:

• Double Post (DP): The gorgeous textured section at the front of the poncho is created using Double Post (DP) sts. This stitch is effectively a double FPdc stitch, where you will work around the post of the stitch 2 rows below twice. The pattern includes step-by-step instructions for how to work the Double Post stitch, and I also cover it in the Lana Poncho Video if you would like to see exactly how it’s done ☺
• Third Loop: the trim around the hem and neckline is created by working into the “third loop” of the previous hdc round. As we are working in rounds, the third loop will always be at the back of your work for this pattern.

The PDF pattern includes stitch charts for the yoke increases as well as for the textured front panel. I love stitch charts as they really help me to visualize stitch placement!

This FREE pattern also comes with a full, step-by-step video tutorial.

(In the video I make the Child 7-8 years poncho, but the constructions and steps are exactly the same no matter which size choose to make. You will still need the pattern to hand for the correct stitch and row counts for the size you are making!)

Finished Measurements

Gauge

10 sts x 9 rows = 4″ x 4″ / 10 cm x 10 cm measured over alternating rows of dc/sc.

Materials

Yarn

Any #5/Bulky weight yarn. The amounts given here are for WeCrochet Wonderfluff (142yds/130m per 50g skein; Weight: #5/Bulky; 70% Baby Alpaca, 7% Merino Wool, 23% Nylon).

Hook

6mm (J-10) crochet hook (or hook required to meet gauge).

Other Items

• Yarn needle
• Stitch markers (6)

Pattern Notes

Please read through the entire pattern before beginning.

Skill Level

Abbreviations (US Terms)

• ch = chain
• tch = turning chain
• st = stitch
• sl st = slip stitch
• sc = single crochet
• hdc = half double crochet
• dc = double crochet
• fdc = foundation double crochet (see Special Stitches)
• DP = Double Post (see Special Stitches)
• hdc3tog = half double crochet 3 together (see Special Stitches)
• beg = beginning
• rem = remaining
• pm = place marker
• RS = right side
• WS = wrong side
• inc = increase

Construction

This poncho is worked from the top down in a raglan style as follows:

1. Yoke – work the yoke in turned rounds until the required circumference is reached for the size that you are making. The number of increases vary depending on the size being made, and each increase round will add 8 to the total stitch count (2 sts at each corner).
2. Split for armholes – split the yoke to create the front and back panels.
3. Torso – rejoin the front and back panels and work the remainder of the body in turned rounds.
4. Trims – work the bottom trim, neckline trim and armhole trim to finish.

Each yoke round begins and ends along the raglan line at the back right-hand side of your poncho; the “seam” will run diagonally along this line.

General Pattern Notes

• Ch 1 at the start of a sc row does not count as a st.
• Ch 3 at the start of a dc row counts as 1 dc. 
• Instructions are written for multiple sizes as follows: 6-12 months (1-2 years, 3-4 years, 5-6 years, 7-8 years, 9-10 years).
• If an instruction does not apply for a particular size, then an “x” is used as a placeholder for that size: e.g. “Sizes x (1-2 years, 3-4 years, 5-6 years, 7-8 years, 9-10 years) only” indicates that the next instruction is not worked for size 6-12 months.
• The stitch count for each row is given in [ ] at the end of the row/round.
  • If no stitch count is given then the count is the same as the previous row/round.

Adjustments

Armhole position

• To move the armholes higher/lower, work fewer/more “even” yoke rounds before splitting for the armholes. Work the adjusted rounds in multiples of 4 to ensure consistency with the rest of the pattern.
• To change the horizontal position of the armholes, you can adjust the width of the front panel by adjusting the position of the starting stitch markers for that section. As a result, the width of the back panel will also change.

Length

• To make the poncho shorter/longer, work less/more body rounds after rejoining the front and back panels for the Torso section. Again, ensure to work the adjusted rounds in multiples of 4.

Print-friendly PDF (available at a low cost)

The print-friendly PDF version of this pattern also includes the following:

• Schematic
• Front Panel Stitch Chart
• Stitch Marker positioning
• Yoke Rounds Beginning/End Stitch Chart

Special Stitches

Foundation Double Crochet (fdc)

Fore more details, you might like to check out this foundation double crochet tutorial (includes video and photo step-by-step photos).

Step 1: Ch 4, yarn over, insert hook into 4th ch from hook, yarn over and pull up a loop. [3 loops on hook]

Step 2: Yarn over and pull through first loop on hook i.e. ch 1. This creates the first “chain” in your foundation row. [still 3 loops on hook]

Step 3: [Yarn over and pull through two loops on hook] twice. First fdc made.

Step 4: Yarn over, insert hook into extra “chain” made in Step 2, yarn over and pull up a loop. [3 loops on hook]

Step 5: Yarn over and pull through the first loop on hook i.e. ch 1. This is the next “chain” in your foundation row. [Yarn over and pull through two loops on hook] twice. Second fdc made.

Double Post (DP)

Step 1: Yarn over, insert hook around post of indicated st 2 rows below, yarn over and pull up a long loop (almost to the height of the current row). [3 loops on hook]

Step 2:  Yarn over, insert hook around post of same st 2 rows below, yarn over and pull up a long loop. [5 loops on hook]

Step 3: Yarn over and pull through 4 loops. [2 loops on hook]

Step 4: Yarn over and pull rem 2 loops.

Half Double Crochet (third loop) / hdc (third loop)

This stitch is a regular half double crochet (hdc), but worked into the extra or “third” loop behind the front and back loops. When working in rounds (as for the trim in this pattern), this “third loop” will be the back of your work.

Half Double Crochet 3 Together (hdc3tog)

Note: this is a modified hdc3tog in that the second and third legs do not have a “yarn over” as you normally would for a hdc st. This is done to make the stitch a little less bulky.

Step 1: Yarn over, insert hook into indicated st, yarn over and pull up a loop. [3 loops on hook]

Step 2: [Insert hook into next st, yarn over and pull up a loop] twice. [5 loops on hook]

Step 3: Yarn over and pull through all 5 loops.

Written Pattern

1. YOKE

All Sizes: 6-12 months (1-2 years, 3-4 years, 5-6 years, 7-8 years, 9-10 years)

Round 1: 42 (46, 50, 50, 54, 54) fdc, sl st to join to first st, turn. [42 (46, 50, 50, 54, 54)]

Using the tail, seam edges of first and last sts.

With WS facing (i.e. looking at the back of the round just made) and counting from right to left, mark 4 corners by placing stitch markers in the following sts (where “1” is the join st):

• 6-12 months: 1-15-22-36
• 1-2 years: 1-15-24-38
• 3-4 years: 1-15-26-40
• 5-6 years: 1-15-26-40
• 7-8 years: 1-17-28-44
• 9-10 years: 1-17-28-44

Note: 

• On each round, move markers up to the current round to keep track of the corner sts. On “inc” rounds, the corner st will be the middle st of the 3 worked in each corner. On “even” rounds, simply move the marker up to the corresponding st of the current round. 
• Each “inc” round will add 8 sts to the stitch count i.e. 2 sts added at each corner. On “even” rounds, the stitch count will be the same as the previous round.

Round 2 (inc): Ch 1 (does not count as a st, here and throughout), 2 sc in join st (pm in first sc to mark first corner and beg of round), three times, sc in each rem st, sc in join st, sl st to join to beg st, turn. [50 (54, 58, 58, 62, 62)]

Round 3 (inc): Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc, here and throughout), dc in join st (pm in top of tch-3 to mark first corner and beg of round), dc in each st to next corner st, 3 dc in corner st, dc in each of next 3 (3, 3, 3, 4, 4) sts, DP in next st 2 rows below, sk st behind DP just made, *dc in each of next 3 sts, DP in next st 2 rows below, sk st behind DP just made; repeat from * until 3 (3, 3, 3, 4, 4) sts rem before next corner st, dc in each of next 3 (3, 3, 3, 4, 4) sts, 3 dc in corner st, dc in each st to next corner st, 3 dc in corner st, dc in each rem st, dc in join st, sl st to join to beg st, turn. [58 (62, 66, 66, 70, 70)]

Round 4 (even): Ch 1, sc in join st and each st around, sl st to join to beg st, turn. [58 (62, 66, 66, 70, 70)]

Note: do not forget to move markers up on this round, even though there are no increases!

SIZE 6-12 months (1-2 years, 3-4 years, x, x, x) only

Round 5 (even): Ch 3, dc in each st to corner st, dc in corner st, dc in each of next 2 sts, DP in next st 2 rows below, sk st behind DP just made, *dc in each of next 3 sts, DP in next st 2 rows below, sk st behind DP just made; repeat from * until 2 sts rem before next corner st, dc in each rem st around, sl st to join to beg st, turn. [58 (62, 66, x, x, x)]

SIZE x (x, x, 5-6 years, 7-8 years, 9-10 years) only

Round 5 (inc): Ch 3, dc in join st, dc in each st to next corner st, 3 dc in corner st, dc in each of next x (x, x, 2, 3, 3) sts, DP in next st 2 rows below, *dc in each of next 3 sts, DP in next st 2 rows below; repeat from * until x (x, x, 2, 3, 3) sts rem before next corner st, dc in each of next x (x, x, 2, 3, 3) sts, 3 dc in corner st, dc in each st to next corner st, 3 dc in corner st, dc in each rem st, dc in join st, sl st to join to beg st, turn.  [x (x, x, 74, 78, 78)]

All Sizes: 6-12 months (1-2 years, 3-4 years, 5-6 years, 7-8 years, 9-10 years)

Round 6 (even): Repeat Round 4. [58 (62, 66, 74, 78, 78)]

Note: on the next round, pm in the first and last DP to mark the start and end of the textured panel at the front of the poncho. The number of dc sts between each corner and the first/last DP will vary depending on the size you are making. Move the markers up on each subsequent round.

Round 7 (inc): Ch 3, dc in join st, dc in each st to next corner st, 3 dc in corner st, dc in each of next 0 (0, 1, 1, 2, 2) sts, DP in next st 2 rows below, sk st behind DP just made, *dc in each of next 3 sts, DP in next st 2 rows below, sk st behind DP just made; repeat from * until 0 (0, 1, 1, 2, 2) sts rem before next corner st, dc in each of next 0 (0, 1, 1, 2, 2) sts, 3 dc in corner st, dc in each st to next corner st, 3 dc in corner st, dc in each rem st, dc in join st, sl st to join to beg st, turn. [66 (70, 74, 82, 86, 86)]

Round 8 (even): Repeat Round 4 (moving stitch markers up at marked DP).

Round 9 (even): Ch 3, dc in join st, dc in each st to first corner st, dc in corner st, dc in each st to 1 st after next marked st, DP in next st 2 rows below, *dc in each of next 3 sts, DP in next st 2 rows below, repeat from * until 1 st rem before next marked st, dc in each rem st around, sl st to join to beg st, turn. [66 (70, 74, 82, 86, 86)]

Round 10 (even): Repeat Round 4.

Round 11 (inc): Ch 3, dc in join st, dc in each st to first corner st, 3 dc in corner st, dc in each st to next marked st, DP in marked st 2 rows below, *dc in each of next 3 sts, DP in next st 2 rows below, repeat from * ending with last DP in next marked st, [dc in each st to next corner st, 3 dc in corner st] twice, dc in each rem st, dc in join st, sl st to join to beg st, turn. [74 (78, 82, 90, 94, 94)]

Round 12 (even): Repeat Round 4.

Round 13 (even): Repeat Round 9.

Round 14 (even): Repeat Round 4.

Sizes x (x, 3-4 years, 5-6 years, 7-8 years, x) only

Round x (x, 15, 15, 15, x) (even): Ch 3, dc in join st, dc in each st to first corner st, dc in corner st, dc in each st to next marked st, DP in marked st 2 rows below, *dc in each of next 3 sts, DP in next st 2 rows below, repeat from * ending with last DP in next marked st, dc in each rem st around, sl st to join to beg st, turn. [x (x, 82, 90, 94, x)]

Size x (x, x, x, x, 9-10 years) only

Round x (x, x, x, x, 15) (inc): Repeat Round 11. [x (x, x, x, x, 102)]

Sizes x (x, 3-4 years, 5-6 years, 7-8 years, 9-10 years) only

Round x (x, 16, 16, 16, 16) (even): Repeat Round 4. 

Round x (x, 17, 17, 17, 17) (even): Repeat Round 9. 

Round x (x, 18, 18, 18, 18) (even): Repeat Round 4.

Sizes x (x, x, x, 7-8 years, 9-10 years) only

Round x (x, x, x, 19, 19) (even): Ch 3, dc in join st, dc in each st to first corner st, dc in corner st, dc in each st to next marked st, DP in marked st 2 rows below, *dc in each of next 3 sts, DP in next st 2 rows below,  repeat from * ending with last DP in next marked st, dc in each rem st around, sl st to join to beg st, turn.

Round x (x, x, x, 20, 20) (even): Repeat Round 4. 

Round x (x, x, x, 21, 21) (even): Repeat Round 9. 

Round x (x, x, x, 22, 22) (even): Repeat Round 4. 

Fasten off. 

Remove corner stitch markers, leaving the two that mark the textured panel at the front of the poncho in place.

2. SPLIT FOR ARMHOLES

All Sizes: 6-12 months (1-2 years, 3-4 years, 5-6 years, 7-8 years, 9-10 years)

With RS facing, and looking at the front of the poncho, pm in the following sts to mark the armhole positions:

• 5 (6, 7, 9, 10, 11) sts to the left of the left-most DP
• 5 (6, 7, 9, 10, 11) sts to the right of the right-most DP

BACK PANEL

With RS facing, join yarn to the stitch immediately to the left of the left-most stitch marker.

Row 15 (15, 19, 19, 23, 23): Ch 3, dc in next st and each st across to the marked st on the opposite side, turn. (i.e. working around the back of the poncho only) [47 (49, 51, 55, 57, 63)]

Row 16 (16, 20, 20, 24, 24): Ch 1, sc in first st and each st across, turn.

​​Rows 17-22 (17-22, 21-28, 21-28, 25-32, 25-32): Repeat previous two rows 3 (3, 4, 4, 4, 4) more times.

Fasten off.

FRONT PANEL

With RS facing, and looking at the front of your work, join yarn to right-most marked st.

All Sizes: 6-12 months (1-2 years, 3-4 years, 5-6 years, 7-8 years, 9-10 years)

Row 15 (15, 19, 19, 23, 23): Ch 3, dc in each st to next marked st, DP in marked st 2 rows below, sk st behind DP just made, *dc in each of next 3 sts, DP in next st 2 rows below, sk st behind DP just made; repeat from * ending with last DP in next marked st, dc in each rem st, ending with last st in left-most marked st, turn. [27 (29, 31, 35, 37, 39)]

Row 16 (16, 20, 20, 24, 24): Ch 1, sc in first st and each st across, turn.

Row 17 (17, 21, 21, 25, 25): Ch 3, dc in each st to 1 st after next marked st, DP in next st 2 rows below, sk st behind DP just made, sk st behind DP just made, *dc in each of next 3 sts, DP in next st 2 rows below, sk st behind DP just made; repeat from * until 1 st rem before next marked st, dc in each rem st, turn.

Row 18 (18, 22, 22, 26, 26): Ch 1, sc in first st and each st across, turn.

Row 19 (19, 23, 23, 27, 27): Ch 3, dc in each st to next marked st, DP in marked st 2 rows below, sk st behind DP just made, *dc in each of next 3 sts, DP in next st 2 rows below, sk st behind DP just made; repeat from * ending with last DP in next marked st, dc in each rem st, turn.

Row 20 (20, 24, 24, 28, 28): Ch 1, sc in first st and each st across, turn.

Sizes 6-12 months (1-2 years, x, x, x, x) only

Rows 21-22 (21-22, x, x, x, x): Repeat Rows 17-18 once more.

Sizes x (x, 3-4 years, 5-6 years, 7-8 years, 9-10 years) only

Rows x (x, 25-28, 25-28, 29-32, 29-32): Repeat previous 4 rows once more.

Fasten off.

3. TORSO

With RS facing, and looking at the front of your work, join yarn to 6th (6th, 6th, 6th, 6th, 7th) st from right edge of back panel.

Sizes 6-12 months (1-2 years, x, x, x, x) only

Round 23 (23, x, x, x, x) (joining): Ch 3, dc in next st and each st to end of row, dc in each st of front panel to next marked st, DP in marked st 2 rows below, *dc in each of next 3 sts, DP in next st 2 rows below; repeat from * ending with last DP in next marked st, dc in each rem st around, sl st to join to beg st, turn. [74 (78, x, x, x, x)]

Round 24 (24, x, x, x, x): Repeat Round 8.

Round 25 (25, x, x, x, x): Ch 3, dc in each st to 1 st after next marked st, DP in next st 2 rows below, *dc in each of next 3 sts, DP in next st 2 rows below; repeat from * until 1 st rem before next marked st, dc in each rem st around, sl st to join to beg ch-3, turn.

Round 26 (26, x, x, x, x): Repeat Round 8.

Round 27 (27, x, x, x, x): Ch 3, dc in each st to next marked st, DP in marked st 2 rows below, *dc in each of next 3 sts, DP in next st 2 rows below; repeat from * ending with last DP in next marked st, dc in each rem st around, sl st to join to beg ch-3, turn.

Rounds 28-31 (28-31, x, x, x, x): Repeat previous four rounds once more.

Sizes x (x, 3-4 years, 5-6 years, 7-8 years, 9-10 years) only

Round x (x, 29, 29, 33, 33) (joining): Ch 3, dc in next st and each st to end of row, dc in each st of front panel  to 1 st after next marked st, DP in next st 2 rows below, sk st behind DP just made, *dc in each of next 3 sts, DP in next st 2 rows below, sk st behind DP just made; repeat from * until 1 st rem before next marked st, dc in each rem st around, sl st to join to beg st, turn. [x (x, 82, 90, 94, 102)]

Round x (x, 30, 30, 34, 34): Repeat Round 4.

Round x (x, 31, 31, 35, 35): Ch 3, dc in each st to next marked st, DP in marked st 2 rows below, sk st behind DP just made, *dc in each of next 3 sts, DP in next st 2 rows below, sk st behind DP just made; repeat from * ending with last DP in next marked st, dc in each rem st around, sl st to join to beg ch-3, turn.

Round x (x, 32, 32, 36, 36): Repeat Round 4.

Row x (x, 33, 33, 37, 37): Ch 3, dc in each st to 1 st after next marked st, DP in next st 2 rows below, sk st behind DP just made, *dc in each of next 3 sts, DP in next st 2 rows below, sk st behind DP just made; repeat from * until 1 st rem before next marked st, dc in each rem st around, sl st to join to beg ch-3, turn.

Rounds x (x, 34-37, 34-37, 38-41, 38-41): Repeat previous 4 rounds once more.

Round x (x, 38, 38, 42, 42): Repeat Round 4.

Round x (x, 39, 39, 43, 43): Repeat Round x (x, 31, 31, 35, 35). At end of round, do not turn and do not fasten off.

4. TRIMS

BOTTOM TRIM

Round 1: Ch 1, hdc in first st and each st around, sl st to join to beg st, do not turn.

Round 2: : Ch 1, hdc (third loop) in first st and each st around, sl st to join to beg st, do not turn.

Round 3: Ch 1, sc (third loop) in first st and each st around, sl st to join to beg st.

Fasten off.

NECKLINE TRIM

Mark 4 corners by placing stitch markers in the following sts of Round 1 (where “1” is the first st of the round):

• 6-12 months: 1-15-22-36
• 1-2 years: 1-15-24-38
• 3-4 years: 1-15-26-40
• 5-6 years: 1-15-26-40
• 7-8 years: 1-17-28-44
• 9-10 years: 1-17-28-44

With RS facing and looking at the back of the poncho, join yarn to the st immediately to the right of the first corner st i.e. the st to the right of the seam line.

Round 1: Ch 1 (does not count as a st), hdc3tog in (first st, corner st, next st), *hdc in each st until 1 st rem before next corner st, hdc3tog in (next st, corner st, next st); repeat from * twice more, hdc in each rem st, sl st to join to beg st, do not turn.

Round 2: Ch 1, hdc (third loop) in first st and each st around, sl st to join to beg st, do not turn.

Round 3: Ch 1, sc (third loop) in first st and each st around, sl st to join to beg st. 

Fasten off.

ARMHOLE TRIM

Work the following on both sides: join yarn to base of armhole opening, sl st evenly around opening, sl st to join to beg st. Fasten off.

Finishing

Block to measurements. Weave in ends. All done!

If you wish, you can purchase an inexpensive, ad-free PDF version of this pattern through Ravelry, Etsy or LoveCrafts.

I hope you have enjoyed this pattern, if you have questions at all, please don't hesitate to contact me. And be sure to tag your finished project on Instagram or Facebook using @nedandmimi or #nedandmimi!

Happy crocheting!

Sarah