Homemade Kid's Poncho – The Perfect DIY Craft For A Rainy Day

In spring, when the sun's rays already have a little warmth, but the air is still cool, you need the right clothes. A poncho is just the thing – it keeps you warm, but is also airy enough that you don't sweat. Furthermore, it's easy to slip on, and that's something children particularly appreciate. And most importantly, they just look great! This crochet project is suitable for beginners with a little prior knowledge who want to make something presentable. For the best result, choose a yarn for crochet hook size 4 or 5 (you can check on the band around the yarn).

You'll Need:

• yarn
• crochet hook (also known as a crochet needle)
• 6 buttons

Here's How:

1. Secure the yarn: If you're right-handed, wrap the yarn twice around the forefinger and middle finger of your left hand. You should now have two loops around your fingers. With the right hand, and using the crochet hook, draw the lower loop through the upper one. Let the yarn slip off your fingers and don't pull the loop too tight on the crochet hook. Left-handers do the exact same thing, just on the other side.

2. Chain Stitches (ch): Wrap some yarn around the forefinger of your left hand so that you can put some tension in it. Now use the crochet hook to pull the yarn through the loop. This is your first chain stitch. Crochet a total of 64 ch.

3. Turning chain stitch: At the end of each row, you want to make a turning chain stitch. This is a normal chain stitch, with the one difference, that after you've done it, you turn over the piece of crochet you're working on. 

4. Single crochet (sc): Stick the crochet hook through the first chain stitch of the row. The turning chain stitch should always stay free. Bring the thread through the stitch, so that two loops lie on the crochet hook. Next, take up the thread again, and pull it through both loops. And so it continues, for a total of 64 times, until you reach the end of the row: stick the hook in, pull the thread through the chain stitch, pick up the yarn again and pull it through both the loops on the crochet hook.

5. Double crochet (dc): After you've given the work a sound base with the chain stitches, you can now crochet more loosely with the double crochet technique. First, crochet three turning chain stitches to give yourself some slack to work with. Now it's time for the actual double crochet: before sticking the hook into the chain stitch, first take up the yarn so that you have two loops on the crochet hook. Now stick the crochet hook in the chain stitch and pick up the yarn again. There should now be three loops on the crochet hook. You're not quite finished yet: first, pick up the yarn again (without going through the chain stitch) and pull it through the two front loops. Your first double crochet is complete. You need 54 more rows, each with 64 dc. 

6. Shoulder section: For the shoulder and collar section, first make 13 single crochets and then 38 free-standing running stitches — you will need these for the back of the poncho. That's why, on the front of the poncho you skip 38 stitches and then crochet another 13 sc for the second shoulder section, until the end of the row.

7. Back section: For the back of the poncho, you need a total of 55 rows, each with 64 dc. It ends with a row of 64 sc. Now you can measure off a handwidth of yarn and cut the thread, pull it through the last stitch and sew it into the work with the crochet hook.

8. Collar: By now, you should be able to see how the finished work will look. It's just missing two small details: the collar and the buttons. For the collar, start back at one end of the hole you have left for the neck, it doesn't matter where. Pull a new piece of yarn through a stitch with the crochet hook so you create a loop. With your left hand, wind the yarn around one finger again to create tension. Crochet 76 sc around the hole, then do another 15 rows each with 76 dc and then a final row with 76 sc. Then cast off and and sew in the thread as described in Point 7.

9. Buttons: The easiest step comes last. For the buttons, first turn the poncho inside out and sew on the buttons, three on the left side and three on the right.

Crochet is the perfect counterweight to the stresses of everyday life. It's relaxing, improves your concentration and gives you a great sense of achievement! And if this has sparked your interest in a bit of yarn-based crafting, why not give our loop scarf a try?