Stash buster ‘build your own’ crochet poncho

This isn’t really a pattern, more like the steps you might want to take to make a poncho in Aran/Worsted weight yarn. 

Stash buster poncho 

This ‘mix and match’ pattern can be a great stash buster, too. You can fasten off at the end of any round, and join the new yarn to the first pointy space. 

The post is written using UK 🇬🇧 crochet terms. 

Work in rounds, do not turn. 

First, we’ll need to loosely chain 60 with a 6mm hook, and join with a slst to the first chain. Make sure not to twist your chain. 

Ch3 counts as a tr throughout the pattern. 

Round 1 starts with the [ch3, tr, ch2, 2tr] into the same chain you just slip stitched to. Then work tr into each of the next 29 chains, and [2tr, ch2, 2tr] into next, and continue working tr into each 29 remaining chains. Slst into the top of Ch3, slsts to the pointy ch2-space. 
You should have 33 stitches on each side of the poncho by the end of Round 1. 

I would suggest repeating Round 1 several more times to make the top bit of the poncho sturdy. 

Rounds 2-4 (optional) : After you've done the slsts to the pointy ch-2 space, work [ch3, tr, ch2, 2tr] into the ch-2 space. And continue working tr into each of the stitches of the previous round until you reach the next ch-2 space. Work [2tr, ch2, 2tr] into the space, continue with trs until the end of the round, slst into ch3, slsts to ch-2 space. 

Every Round goes up by 4 stitches on each side, you will have an odd number of stitches on each side throughout the pattern. 

Some Rounds therefore could be divided by 3, some by 5, and absolutely every Round can take a repetition asking for just alternating stitches. 

Here’s some examples of the repetitions you might want to include. 

All options are written for the sides only, after you you’ve done the slsts to the ch-2 and [ch3, tr, ch2, 2tr] into the pointy space in the beginning of the round, and [2tr, ch2, 2tr] into the second ch-2 space. Note: Option 4 requires a different start. 

Option 1 (the easiest): work 1tr into the first stitch after the pointy space, *ch1, skip next stitch, 1tr into next*, repeat until the next ch-2 space, 1tr into the first stitch after the pointy space, *ch1, skip next stitch, 1tr into next* repeat * until the end of the round. 

Options 2 and 1, with a round of trs between them 

Option 2: *ch1, skip next, [3tr bobble stitch] into next* repeat * until next ch-2 space, then * repeat on the second side. 

Option 3 is a bit trickier. When the number of stitches on one side of the round you just completed is divisible by 3 (45, 57, etc), your next round can be done in the following way:
Skip first stitch on the side,  3tr shell into next, *skip 2 sts, 3tr shell into next* repeat * until the last stitch on the side, skip last stitch, work the usual stitches into the pointy ch-2 space. Repeat on the other side. 

Option 3, 3treble shells is in the middle of picture. Surrounded by simple treble rounds, and Option 1 rounds

Option 4 requires a different start: 
ch1 (doesn’t count as a stitch), [2dc, ch2, 2dc] into first ch-2 space, *dc in first tr on the side, puff stitch in next* repeat * until next ch-2 space, work  [2dc, ch2, 2dc] into ch-2 space, repeat * until the end of the round. 

Option 4, puff stitch in pink

Option 5 requires some maths. When the number of stitches on one side of the round you just completed minus 5 is divisible by 6 (41, 53 etc), your next round can be done in the following way:
Skip first stitch, tr into next, tr into the stitch you skipped (first crossed tr made), *skip next two stitches, tr into next, tr back into the second skipped stitch* repeat * on both sides. 

Option 5, crossed trebles in pink

I would suggest choosing the trickier options while you still have not that many stitches on each side, and then relax and alternate between the easier rounds’ options and the rounds where you work tr into each stitch. 

It is also a good idea to repeat Round 2 once or twice after each patterned round, as it will give you an opportunity to see if you have made any errors and correct them if needed. 

Like in the picture below, I missed the stitch working the round after I completed Option 1, but then worked two stitches in one in next Round as frogging and re-doing the whole round would have been a bit of a pain. 

For the border I chose to work a simple round of alternating dc and dc-picot around the edge of the poncho

Double crochet and double crochet picot border

Hope you enjoy making your own ponchos!