Easy All Double Crochet Hooded Poncho – Free Crochet Pattern Using Caron Big Cakes
If you’re looking for a cozy crochet project that’s simple, relaxing, and perfect for everyday wear, you’re going to love this Easy All Double Crochet Hooded Poncho Pattern. This poncho is worked entirely in double crochet, making it a great choice for beginners or anyone who wants a mindless, stress-free project. Add in the beautiful color changes from Caron Big Cakes and a cozy hood, and you’ve got a wearable you’ll reach for again and again.
Whether you’re crocheting for yourself or making a thoughtful handmade gift, this hooded poncho works up quickly and has that effortless, comfy style we all love.
There is a children’s version of this pattern HERE!
Purchase the ad-free, printable PDF for easy printing.
Pattern Overview
This crochet poncho is designed with simplicity in mind. The construction is straightforward, the stitch pattern is beginner-friendly, and the hood adds both warmth and style without complicated shaping.
Pattern features:
- Beginner-friendly construction
- Made using only double crochet stitches
- Cozy hood for extra warmth
- Relaxed fit with easy sizing adjustments
- Perfect for everyday wear
Yarn Used for This Crochet Poncho
For this pattern, I used Caron Big Cakes, and it’s such a great choice for this project. Big Cakes are known for their long, self-striping color changes, which means the yarn creates the stripes for you as you crochet. No color changes to manage and fewer ends to weave in — always a win!
Caron Big Cakes are a worsted weight yarn with a soft feel and great durability, making them ideal for garments like ponchos. The large cakes also mean fewer joins, helping your finished piece look clean and polished.
Yarn details:
- Weight: Worsted (4)
- Fiber: 100% acrylic
- Yardage: Approximately 603 yards per cake
- Yarn brand used: Caron Big Cakes
You can easily substitute any worsted weight yarn you love, but keep in mind that the finished look will vary depending on fiber and color changes.
Stitches Used in This Pattern
This poncho is made using only double crochet stitches, which keeps things simple and beginner-friendly. If you’re comfortable with chaining and working double crochet stitches, you’ll feel right at home with this pattern. It’s also a great project to build confidence if you’re newer to garment-making.
Why You’ll Love This Pattern
- ✅ Beginner-friendly: uses only one stitch
- ✅ Quick to make: works up fast with worsted weight yarn
- ✅ Colorful results: the yarn stripes for you!
- ✅ Cozy and practical: includes a hood for extra warmth
- ✅ Size-inclusive: easy to adjust for any size
FAQ
Ready to Crochet the Easy Hooded Poncho?
You can find the free crochet pattern for the Easy All Double Crochet Hooded Poncho below. Grab your yarn, your hook, and enjoy a simple, satisfying crochet project that results in a cozy, wearable piece you’ll love.
Making the Easy All DC Hooded Poncho Crochet Pattern
Get the full free pattern below or purchase the ad-free, printable PDF
Materials
Caron Big Cakes in Toffee Brickle (2 for S/M, 3 for L/XL/2X/3X)
H/5.0 mm hook
yarn needle
scissors
stitch markers
Level
easy
Pattern notes & stitches to know
ch – chain
sl st – slip stitch
dc – double crochet
fdc – foundation double crochet (optional)
· written in US terms
· ch 2 does not count as dc
· This poncho is made with joined rounds. The hood is made with turned rows and then sewn to the poncho.
Sizes:
(S/M, L/XL, 2X/3X) – The pattern is written in these sizes consecutively.
Approx Finished Size
To fit bust: S/M (32-38”) L/XL (40-46”) 2X/3X (48-54”)
Width across bust: S/M (21”) L/XL (25”) 2X/3X (29”)
Length w/out fringe: S/M (25”) L/XL (28”) 2X/3X (31”)
Size S/M pictured. I am 5’0” with 34” bust.
Gauge: 12 dc x 8 rounds = 4” x 4”
Watch the Tutorial
See how it’s done! This easy-to-follow video tutorial will walk you through each step of the pattern.
Pattern Support
Looking for pattern support or want to share your progress? Join our Crochet Community Facebook Group! It’s the perfect place to ask questions, get help, and connect with fellow makers.
CROCHET PATTERN WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS
PONCHO
ch 3
Round 1: starting in 3rd ch from the hook fdc (80, 90, 100) join to first dc with sl st (80, 90, 100 dc)
Starting chain alternative: ch 82, 92, 102 dc in 3rd ch from the hook and across (80, 90, 100 dc)
Round 2: ch 2, dc in next (19, 21, 23) stitches, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next, dc in next (39, 44, 49) stitches, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next, dc in remaining stitches, join to first dc with sl st (86, 96, 106 dc)
Round 3: ch 2, dc in each stitch to ch-2 space, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in ch-2 space, dc in each stitch to next ch-2 space, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in ch-2 space, dc in remaining stitches, join to first dc with sl st (94, 104, 114 dc)
Round 4 – Round 32, 40, 46: repeat round 3 (each round will increase by 8 stitches)
Or until desired length.
Fasten off. Weave in the ends.
HOOD
ch 3 (leave a long end for sewing)
Row 1: starting in 3rd ch from the hook, fdc 72 (72 dc)
Row 2: ch 2, turn, 2 dc in first stitch, dc in each stitch across to last stitch, 2 dc in last (76 dc)
Row 3: ch 2, turn, 2 dc in first stitch, dc in each stitch across to last stitch, 2 dc in last (78 dc)
Row 4 – Row 21: ch 2, turn, dc in each stitch across (78 dc)
Fasten off. Leave a long end for sewing.
SEWING
Fold the hood in half so the rows run vertically. Sew the back closed (row 1) with a whip stitch.
Line the hood along the top of the poncho. Line up the center back of the hood to the top center of the back of the poncho and then the end of the hood lined up 3 inches from the center front. Bunch it up slightly. Use stitch markers to keep it in place. Use the long end to sew the hood to the poncho with a whip stitch.
FRINGE
Add three 8” strands of fringe every 4th stitch along the bottom row.
Trim to your liking
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I’m so in love with your patterns, especially the ponchos and shawls. Thank you for such beautiful work.
Thank you so much!!
Hi. I am loving this pattern. Could you tell me how you measure for length? Is it from the V in the front or from the shoulder?
Thank you
Down the V in the front
I am in the middle of completing a double crochet stitch poncho, decided I wanted to add a hood. I found your site and easy peasy directions to add the hood to my project. Thank you very much. Eli
Awesome!! Thank you so much 🙂
Are you able explain how you are doing the first join of the slip stick on the double crochet on the first row on the poncho part? Is it the top of the double crochet? Note I’m not doing the fdc.
Hi! Yes, slip stitch to the top two loops of the first double crochet 🙂
The pattern says crochet with joined rounds but the picture has a seam down the front as if 2 rectangles are sewn together. Can you explain ?
Because I like the picture. Thank you.
Hi! That isn’t a seam down the front, it’s the corner spaces 🙂
Oh I get it now. Thank you.
i love this! could you maybe explain the second round of the poncho? how are the 6 stitches added?
You will be adding the corner (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in 2 stitches. So each stitch will increase by 3 stitches 🙂
Love this! Thanks Breann ❤️
Hi Lindsay. You need to do the first stitch of the round in the same stitch as the chain two.
Hi, am I reading correctly that there are only 2 points of increases? Perhaps I am working to tightly but even size 2xl is very narrow and makes little more than a pointed tube, do you have any suggestions?
Hi! You can try doing (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) for each increase?
Do you pull/start with the middle of the cake or the outside?
I pull from the middle, but it doesn’t really matter 😊
I feel silly bc I can’t reconcile in my mind how the ch2 at the beginning of each row fits into the pattern without leaving a gap that I don’t see in the photos. I’m forming a gap where there shouldn’t be one, but I can’t figure out what I’m missing.
Hi! This video is for a beanie, but the join method I use is the same with the ch 2 at the beginning of the round 🙂
Hey, thank you for the pattern!
I was wondering how you are able to increase the total number of stitches in round two by 6 compared to the previous round. Do you stitch the chain 2 in the beginning as well?
Hi! You are making the corner stitch (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in one stitch. This adds 3 stitches to this stitch. Then repeat for the second corner. Adding 3 more again. Making 6 more stitches total for the round.
Then in the remaining rounds you are adding the corner to the ch space (rather than a stitch). So it will add 8 stitches total for the round.
How is the gauge swatch done? It says rounds but I did rows and I got close to gauge but could only get it with 7mm hook but the fabric came out too open and loose? With 5mm I got 3.5×3.75″ and with 7mm I got 4×4.25″.
On round 4 to round 30 are they all increasing rounds or just the bold numbers increasing and just double crocheting on round 4
Hi, If I want to make a bigger size, how many chains should I make?
Hi! I have an adult version here: https://www.hookedonhomemadehappiness.com/easy-all-double-crochet-hooded-poncho/
Hello. I love both your cowel neck granny stitch poncho & the double crochet hooded poncho.
I have been given a bag of yarn with no lables. It’s chunkier than Aran, but not super chunky/bulky. Im wondering if you have a poncho pattern for chunky yarn or what pattern do you think would be easiest to adapt?
Hi! I don’t have a chunky poncho pattern. Since ponchos aren’t made to be fitted in general, I think either one would work 🙂
A video of how to start this would be extremely helpful.
Hello! I’ve just purchased this pattern and I am looking forward to starting it. For the foundation double crochet row it says to start with a chain 3. Most of the fdc instructions I’ve read say to start with a chain 2 because that does not count as a dc but if you chain 3 it does count as your first dc. Is this the case here? Does the chain 3 count as dc #1? Sorry, I’m new to the fdc. And thank you!
By chaining 3 you will have 2 chains because the first dc will go in the 3rd chain. The chain 2 does not count as a stitch