I am really pleased to be able to let you know that my Florina Cutaway Poncho crochet pattern is now available in my Ravelry or Etsy stores, and for the first time is available in both UK and US crochet terminology with 20% off until the 10th November or 50% with a code in my November Newsletter sent on the 5th November. If you aren't signed up when the Newsletter is sent, you can sign up for the mailing list here and click through on the "Nov News" button in the confirmation email to get the code.
Why choose the Florina Cutaway Poncho crochet pattern?
The poncho is a fun and classically feminine addition to your summer wardrobe that will work well over those pretty summer dresses you don't want to hide, whenever you want a little more warmth or shoulder coverage. Its open, lacy arm sections add an extra layer without making you too warm. It could certainly work with jeans and a delicate camisole top too, especially if you have a knitted or crocheted one you want to show off. This is a design I just can't wait to wear with my favourite dresses. In our British climate you never know when you're going to want an extra layer and having one that doesn't completely hide your outfit is definitely a bonus for those who like to make their own clothes.
The stitch pattern, which some of you may recognise as being adapted from my Clarion Multiway Scarf design works up beautifully fast and, after setting up the first couple of rows is easy to follow without having to constantly refer back to the pattern so it's one to take to to your craft group if you hope to chat more than count stitches or work on in front of your favourite TV series. The flowers, leaves and buttons are fun to work and very portable details but maybe leave working the little shoulder caps until it can have your full focus. They aren't difficult and they don't take long to work either, you just do need to be able to count the stitches and check the instructions. Confession: I had to rip the shoulders out more than once, myself, as I got distracted by some gardening YouTube videos I was watching and seemed to lose the skills of counting and alternating!
The inspiration for this collection comes from the Coquette Core trend being explored on social media this summer, drawing on a romantically lavish Rococo frivolity and often adding a slightly distressed or tousled edge to the aesthetic. The poncho itself started off as an elegant mini-cloak/capelet strewn with flowers all over but taking note of the popularity of open sleeved garments on the catwalk recently and liking how they flow as the body moves, I decided to explore that option instead. I toned down the flowers a bit to focus on the dramatic silhouette and am really pleased with the end result. That said, it would be really easy to work it up as a capelet or full poncho if you preferred and I've added a few notes to the pattern for anyone intending to do that (you'll need more yarn, of course) and you can put just as many flowers as you like, add them wherever you want them; it's your creation! You can also adjust the length of the arm sections very easily if you wish. The pattern is for fingertip length ones on a person of about 5ft 3in-5ft 7in but an elbow length one could be fun and ankle length ones for evening or bridal wear could be stunning.
Choosing yarn for the Florina Cutaway Poncho crochet pattern
I worked up the sample in Drops Alpaca and I would absolutely recommend using it if you can. It was so lovely to work with and really perfect for this particular project where drape was my main consideration. The lightness of the Alpaca worked perfectly for this but was still sturdy enough for the shoulders to hold the weight of the garment. It will also feel lovely against the skin, which is important if you're wearing it over strappy summer tops and dresses and it's a fibre often recommended for those who don't like to wear wool. I had plenty of leftovers too and featured the remaining cream yarn in my Wefan Wrap pattern, another great choice for eye-catching outerwear.
I made a lot of this outside my children's dance classes and was always surprised how much I got done and how nicely the fluffy yarn unwound as I had wondered if it would be a bit sticky. Can you see in one of my pictures that an accident befell my poor crochet hook, though? I didn't have another one the same and had to repair it with sticky tape and hot glue to make sure I kept the same tension for finishing the project. It worked well but I was glad when my new one turned up! There isn't a lot of seaming for this project; just the centre of the shoulder caps and for attaching the flowers but I was glad to have my needles travel ready in their lovely wooden needle case . Perhaps I need to find something like that for my thinner wooden hooks too!
Pattern: Cutaway Poncho
Yarn: Drops Alpaca in 0100 Off white; 9030 Pistachio Ice Cream; 9032 Strawberry Cream
Florina Cutaway Poncho crochet pattern is now available in my Ravelry or Etsy stores, in both UK and US crochet terminology with 20% off until the 10th November or 50% with a code in my November Newsletter sent on the 5th November. If you weren't signed up when the Newsletter was sent, you can sign up for the mailing list here and click through on the "Nov News" button in the confirmation email to get the code.
Do let me know if you make the poncho. I'm always so excited when I see that someone has used one of my patterns! I love to get comments on my blog too, so do let me know your thoughts on the design or ask any questions you have below.
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