18" Doll Poncho ~ Free Crochet Pattern

by @Fitzysmom

With three grand girls I have once again entered the world of the American Girl doll. It was a lot of fun with my original girl and I'm having a blast reliving it with the grands.

I was busy making one of the girls a poncho when it dawned on me that I could just scale it down and do a matching one for her doll.

Here is what I did . . .

Supplies

1 skein or your favorite yarn ~ for this particular project I used Caron Simply Soft Paints #0001 Tapestry

Crochet hook US I/9

Tapestry needle

Scissors

Stitches Used

Chain (ch)

Double Crochet (dc)

Single Crochet (sc)

Slip Stitch (sl st)

Let's Begin!

Foundation Row: ch 30

Row 1: Dc in the 3rd ch from the hook (this counts as 2 dc), dc in the next 5 ch, *(dc, ch 1, dc) in the next ch, dc in the next 6 ch; then repeat from * 2 more times, end with a dc in the turning ch.

(Now go back and count your stitches to make sure you are on track. You should have 32 dc and 3 ch 1 spaces.) Turn.

This is what your First Row will look like after you turn it. Notice how it begins to arc because of the dc, ch 1, dc stitches.

Row 2: Ch 2 (this counts as a dc), dc in the next 7 dc, * (dc, ch 1, dc) in ch 1 space, dc in the next 7 dc; repeat from * across, end the last repeat dc in the next 7 dc, dc in the turning ch. (Stop and count your stitches one more time just to make sure you are on track! You should have 36 dc and 3 ch 1 spots.)

Rows 1 and 2 form the neck opening. From this point forward you will begin working in the round. While being careful not to twist the piece and get it upside down, join the end of Row 2 with a sl st to the beginning ch 2 of Row 2 to form a ring.

Row 3: Ch 3 (counts as dc, ch 1), dc in same space as joining stitch and in the next 8 dc, * (dc, ch 1, dc) in the ch 1 space, dc in the next 8 dc; repeat from * across, en the last repeat dc in the next 8 dc, join with a sl st to the 2nd ch of the beginning ch 3. (Counting time! You should have 10 dc between each of your ch 1 spaces.)

Row 4: Ch 3 (counts as dc, ch 1), dc in same space as joining stitch and in the next 9 dc, * (dc, ch 1, dc) in the ch 1 space, dc in the next 9 dc; repeat from * across, en the last repeat dc in the next 9 dc, join with a sl st to the 2nd ch of the beginning ch 3.

Row 5: Ch 3 (counts as dc, ch 1), dc in same space as joining stitch and in the next 10 dc, * (dc, ch 1, dc) in the ch 1 space, dc in the next 10 dc; repeat from * across, en the last repeat dc in the next 10 dc, join with a sl st to the 2nd ch of the beginning ch 3.

Row 6: Ch 3 (counts as dc, ch 1), dc in same space as joining stitch and in the next 11 dc, * (dc, ch 1, dc) in the ch 1 space, dc in the next 11 dc; repeat from * across, en the last repeat dc in the next 11 dc, join with a sl st to the 2nd ch of the beginning ch 3.

Row 7: Ch 3 (counts as dc, ch 1), dc in same space as joining stitch and in the next 12 dc, * (dc, ch 1, dc) in the ch 1 space, dc in the next 12 dc; repeat from * across, en the last repeat dc in the next 12 dc, join with a sl st to the 2nd ch of the beginning ch 3.

Row 8: Ch 3 (counts as dc, ch 1), dc in same space as joining stitch and in the next 13 dc, * (dc, ch 1, dc) in the ch 1 space, dc in the next 13 dc; repeat from * across, en the last repeat dc in the next 13 dc, join with a sl st to the 2nd ch of the beginning ch 3.

Row 9: Ch 3 (counts as dc, ch 1), dc in same space as joining stitch and in the next 14 dc, * (dc, ch 1, dc) in the ch 1 space, dc in the next 14 dc; repeat from * across, en the last repeat dc in the next 14 dc, join with a sl st to the 2nd ch of the beginning ch 3.

Row 10: Ch 3 (counts as dc, ch 1), dc in same space as joining stitch and in the next 15 dc, * (dc, ch 1, dc) in the ch 1 space, dc in the next 15 dc; repeat from * across, en the last repeat dc in the next 15 dc, join with a sl st to the 2nd ch of the beginning ch 3. (If everything went as planned you should wind up with 17 dc between each ch 1 space.)

Ruffle: To finish off the bottom of your project I suggest adding a ruffle to the bottom edge. Simply work 3 dc in each st around. When you get to the end sl st it together and then fasten it off leaving a tale to be woven in.

Collar: With the wrong side facing you , begin at the left front neck edge and sc in each chain across. You should wind up with 23 sc. Turn.

Collar Row 1: Ch 2, dc in each st across, turn.

Collar Row 2: Ch w, dc in each st across, fasten off leaving a tale to be woven in.

That's it! Pretty easy don't you think? Hope you and your little girl enjoy!

DIY Newborn Cocoon & Hat

Like the majority of American women I have become a Pinterest addict.  My favorite category is the DIY & Crafts. If you've been on there lately you know that the newborn cocoon and hat are all the rage. Several of my friends have made one for their new grandbabies. Well, I had a new grandboy on the way so I decided that I needed to make one too!

I clicked through several patterns that I liked and finally came up with my own version of it. I wanted it to have a loose weave so I chose to do it in a triple crochet pattern. I just kept envisioning those sweet baby toes peeking out of it! Here’s the list of supplies that I used on my test pattern:

Supplies

1 skein of Caron Simply Soft yarn – I chose Soft Green

Crochet Hook size H

Tapestry Needle – to weave in the ends

Just a side note: I like to use the Caron Simply Soft yarn on most of my experimental baby projects for a couple of reasons. First it is ultra-soft and comes in a variety of pleasing colors. Second it does not have a dye lot so I can always go pick up an extra skein if I've underestimated. Finally I think it is a fairly inexpensive yarn so I’m not wasting my money on a project that may not turn out.

Let’s get started!

Here are my definitions of stitches used:

Ch = chain, tc = triple crochet, ss = slip stitch, sc = single crochet, st = stitch

Newborn Cocoon:

In row 1 I use a technique called a magic ring. For those of you not familiar with this particular technique here’s a great tutorial video from Bernat.

Row 1: Use the directions for the magic ring. Ch 4 then do 16 tc into the magic ring. Pull the circle closed and ss to the top of the beginning ch. (You should have 16 tc and 1 ch 4 stitch on this round.)

Row 2: Ch 4 then do 2 tc in each tc around.  SS to the top of the beginning chain. (You should have 32 tc and 1 ch 4 on this round.)

Row 3: Ch 4, then do 2 tc in the first st, 1 tc in the next st, continue with 2 tc and then 1 tc all the way around. SS to the top of the beginning chain. ( You should have 48 tc and 1 ch 4 on this round.)

Rows 4 – 17: Ch 4, then tc around. SS to the top of the beginning chain. (You should have 48 tc and 1 ch 4 on all of these rounds.)

Row 18: Ch 4, then tc in the first st, ch 1, then tc in the 2^nd st from the hook. Continue around with the tc then ch1 then tc. Basically you are tc in every other stitch with a ch in between. SS to the top of the beginning chain. (You should wind up with 25 tc and 1 ch of 4).

Row 19: SC all the way around to give it a nice finished edge. Weave in the end and you are finished!

You can add more rows if you would like just follow the directions for Rows 4-17. Some of the patterns I looked at had you make it 20 inches long rather than counting rows. That is entirely up to you.

Matching Hat:

Row 1: Start with a magic ring again. Ch 4 then 12 tc into the magic ring. Pull it closed and ss to the top of the beginning ch. (You should have 12 tc and 1 ch 4 on this row.)

Row 2: Ch 4, then 2 tc into each tc around. SS to the top of the beginning ch. (You should have 24 tc and 1 ch 4 on this row.)

Row 3: Ch 4, then 2 tc in the first stitch, then do a tc in the next 3 st. Repeat this pattern all the way around. 2 tc in the stitch and then a tc in the next 3 st.  SS to the top of the beginning ch. (You should have 30 tc and 1 ch 4 in this row.)

Row 4-6: Ch 4, then tc around. SS into the top of the beginning ch. (You should have 30 tc and 1 ch 4 in these rows.)

Row 7: Ch 1 then sc around. SS to the beginning ch. Weave in the ends and you are finished!

Once you have finished one of these sets you will easily see how you can adapt and change it to what you would like it to be. For my grandboy’s cocoon and hat I used Bernat’s Bamboo Natural Blends. I love the feel of it and the chunky texture was just what I was looking for. I chose the shades of Water and Corn.

Here’s my inspiration! I never could snap a shot when his toes were sticking out…but you get the idea. Now go make one for that special new baby in your life!

* Disclosure all thoughts are from @Fitzysmom of Rambles of a SAHM. No compensation was received for this post.