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How to Crochet a Cowl Neck Sleeveless Top & Poncho

Sleeveless tops and ponchos are both simple enough to crochet, but are often rather plain. The addition of a cowl neck collar adds a distinctive touch to both garments. Originally, a cowl was the hood for a monk's habit, but over the years it has come to mean a loosely draped large collar on a woman's dress, blouse or sweater. Both the top and the poncho work up quickly, and can be made in a variety of colors.

Things You'll Need

Worsted weight yarn
Crochet hook, size J

Instructions

- 1
  Make a gauge swatch in the pattern stitch by chaining a 6 inch chain in an even number. Turn and make a half double crochet stitch in the third chain from the hook. Half double crochet in each stitch to the end of the chain. Chain two and turn. Row one: Double crochet around the first half double stitch of the row below. Half double crochet in the next stitch. Repeat to the end; make a half double crochet in the last stitch. Chain two and turn.
  
  Row two: Half double crochet in each stitch across.Repeat rows one and two four more times and check the gauge. Five half double crochet stitches should equal 2 inches.
  
  Two rows should equal 1 inch.
- 2
  Make the back by chaining 48 for a medium-sized top. Add or subtract in increments of six stitches for each size larger or smaller that you wish to make the top. Work in the pattern stitch for 12 inches, ending with an odd numbered row. Chain one and turn. Decrease for the armhole by working slip stitches through the first six stitches, then half double crochet to within six stitches of the end. Stop, chain two and turn. Continue crocheting in the pattern for 8 more inches. End off.
- 3
  Make the front of the top like the back for 12 inches, ending with an odd numbered row. Chain one and turn. Decrease for the armhole by working slip stitches through the first six stitches, then half double crochet to within six stitches of the end. Stop, chain two and turn. Continue crocheting in the pattern for 4 more inches. End with an odd-numbered row. Chain two and turn. Half double crochet for 10 stitches, chain two and turn to make the neck opening, continue in the pattern for 4 more inches. End off. Return to the neck opening row. Count off 14 stitches in the middle of the row. Join the yarn in the next stitch and half double crochet to the end, 10 stitches. Continue in the pattern for 4 more inches. End off.
- 4
  Line up the back and the front at the shoulders and along the sides. Use slip stitches to join the front and the back.
- 5
  Join the yarn to the inside neckline near the shoulder seam. Chain two, and then make half double crochet stitches in each stitch and evenly spaced along each row around the neckline. You should have approximately 60 stitches when you get all the way around. Join to the top of the chain two at the beginning. Chain two, and half double crochet in each stitch around, joining as before. Continue with this step until the cowl is about 12 to 14 inches long. End off.
- 6
  To finish the top, weave in all of the loose ends. Crochet in single crochet all the way around each armhole, and around the bottom. Block the sweater.
- 7
  Make a poncho by following the steps for crocheting the front and the back of the top, but eliminating the decreases for the armholes, and making each piece about 24 inches long. Join only at the shoulders, not the sides, and then work the cowl as in the top. Work in single crochet around the sides and bottom to finish the edges.

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