Easy Dog Poncho Crochet Pattern
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Are you looking for a great way to keep your dog warm without having to wrangle them into clothing with armholes? This Easy Dog Poncho crochet pattern is the perfect thing. Grab your hook and work up one of these gorgeous ponchos for dogs using this free crochet pattern in multiple sizes.
Easy Dog Poncho Crochet Pattern
A dog poncho is a great alternative to a crocheted dog sweater for multiple reasons. Not only is it super stylish (with several different human versions coming soon!) but it is easy to put on.
This is the 11th installment of the 2024 Dog Crochet Series. One more and we’ll have had an entire year of crocheting for our dogs! I hope you’ve enjoyed all of the patterns so far in the series.
If your dog has arthritis or trouble with their joints, this is a great option for them to have clothing of their own. Just slip it over their head and settle it across their body and they’re all set!
My rescue Cher is a mixed breed with obvious signs of Chihuahua and Dachshund. She’s adorable but regular sweaters from the store and many of the ones you can find on Amazon just don’t fit her very well.
Sure, we can customize the Dandy Dog Sweater, the Stellar Dog Sweater, or the Wild Berry Dog Sweater pattern to be longer in the body – an easy and completely customizable design feature! – but what if we just made them a poncho instead?
This Dog Poncho crochet pattern is super easy to follow. We are using the gorgeous Alpine Stitch. If you’ve never used this stitch before you’ll be surprised at how easy it is to create.
I’m also working on a chic crochet pattern for humans that would make you two an adorable matching pair! Stay tuned and make sure you follow on Facebook and Instagram, or sign up for my email newsletter to make sure you’re notified when that pattern is ready.
This poncho pattern for dogs spans several sizes, from XXS to 2XL. When selecting which size to make for your dog, you’ll want to measure their neck first. Make the size that will comfortably fit without being tight. The length of the chest and the length of the body are completely customizable for each individual dog. LOVE THAT!
For this pattern I am using Brava Sport yarn. This is a size 2, 100% acrylic yarn that is durable and has a wide array of color choices. I used “Avocado” for Cher’s version and “Fairy Tale” for Maisey’s.
Other great yarn options include Mary Maxim Baby’s Best, Bernat Softee Baby yarn, Premier Basix DK, Herrschners Afghan yarn, Premier Colorfusion DK, Hobbii’s Amigo, or any 100% acrylic yarn in a size 2 or thinner size 3.
Grab the ad-free, printable version of this pattern on Ravelry, Etsy, or right here in the Heart Hook Home Blog Shop. Thank you!
If you need help reading a crochet pattern, make sure you head over here and check out this detailed post.
Materials:
Sport weight acrylic yarn (Brava Sport used)
-approx. (250, 350, 420, 600, 775, 925, 1100) yards
*including fringe
Crochet hook in size 4.5mm or size needed to obtain gauge
Gauge: 17 sts x 18 rows total = 4” square using Alpine Stitch
Sizing: (XXS, XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL)
Pattern Notes:
Pattern written using US terms.
The chain(s) at the beginning of each round/row do not count as a stitch.
For the collar of the poncho we use Front Post/Back Post stitches. There is a tutorial for this technique here.
For the body of the poncho we use the Alpine Stitch. There is a tutorial for this stitch here. (note that the video tutorial uses the Front Post Treble Crochet, while this pattern uses the Front Post Double Crochet.)
Pattern:
Round 1: Fdc-(33, 41, 49, 57, 65, 71, 79) (or ch- (35, 43, 51, 59, 67, 73, 81), dc in 3rd chain from hook and in each to end.) Join to top of first st with sl st. (33, 41, 49, 57, 65, 71, 79)
Rounds 2: Ch-1, do not turn, * fpdc around next st, bpdc around next st * repeat between * * around, fpdc around last st. Join to top of first st with sl st. (33, 41, 49, 57, 65, 71, 79)
Round 3: Ch-1, turn, * bpdc around next st, fpdc around next st * repeat between * * around, bpdc around last st. Join to top of first st with sl st. (33, 41, 49, 57, 65, 71, 79)
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Round 4: Ch-1, turn, * fpdc around next st, bpdc around next st * repeat between * * around, fpdc around last st. Join to top of first st with sl st. (33, 41, 49, 57, 65, 71, 79)
Sizes XXS & XS jump to “chest” below.
Rounds (–, -, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5) through (–, -, 6, 8, 8, 10, 10): alternate rows 3 & 4
Chest:
Round (5, 5, 7, 9, 9, 11, 11): Ch-2, do not turn, 2dc in first, dc in (11, 13, 15, 19, 21, 23, 27) sts, 3dc in next (mark center-most st), dc in next (19, 25, 31, 35, 41, 45, 49) sts, 2dc in final st, dc in same as first two sts. Join to top of first st. (38, 46, 54, 62, 70, 76, 84)
Round (6, 6, 8, 10, 10, 12, 12): Ch-1, turn, sc in each st around. Join to top of first st. (38, 46, 54, 62, 70, 76, 84)
Round (7, 7, 9, 11, 11, 13, 13): Ch-2, turn, 2dc in first, Fpdc around post of next dc two rows down, * dc in next st, Fpdc around post of next dc two rounds down * repeat between * * to st marker, 3dc in marked st (move up marker), Fpdc around post of next dc two rows down, * dc in next st, Fpdc around post of next dc two rounds down * repeat between * * to end, dc in same as first two sts. Join to top of first dc. (42, 50, 58, 66, 74, 80, 88)
Rounds (8, 8, 10, 12, 12, 14, 14) through (15, 21, 25, 35, 45, 51, 53) or until reaches front of shoulders: alternate previous two rounds (ending with (58, 78, 90, 114, 138, 156, 168) sts)
Back:
We will now crochet back and forth in rows…
Row (16, 22, 26, 36, 46, 52, 54): Ch-1, turn, sc in (33, 45, 53, 65, 79, 89, 95) sts only.
*note that if you alter the number of rounds for the “chest”, this stitch count will not match. If this is you, work only across the “back” stitches from increase to increase (just inside the stitch marker as pictured) the stitch count should be an ODD number.
Row (17, 23, 27, 37, 47, 53, 55): Ch-2, turn, dc in first st, * dc in next st, Fpdc around post of next dc two rounds down * repeat between * * until two sts remain. Dc in each of final two sts. (33, 45, 53, 65, 79, 89, 95)
Row (18, 24, 28, 38, 48, 54, 56): Ch-1, turn, sc in each st across. (33, 45, 53, 65, 79, 89, 95)
Row (19, 25, 29, 39, 49, 55, 57): Ch-2, turn, dc in first st, * Fpdc around next dc two rows down, dc in next st * repeat between * * to end. (33, 45, 53, 65, 79, 89, 95)
Rows (20, 26, 30, 40, 50, 56, 58) through (43, 55, 67, 79, 91, 99, 107) or until reaches rear flank or desired length: alternate previous four rows. (33, 45, 53, 65, 79, 89, 95)
Finishing round:
Rotate to work up row ends… Ch-1, sc evenly up to chest, across chest, and down the other side. Place 3sc in corner st, sc in each st across, 2sc in same as starting. Fasten off using Invisible Join.
Cut fringe ~10” long and add one 3-strand bundle to every other stitch around the bottom.
Steam to straighten the fringe.
You’re finished! I can’t wait to see yours! Be sure to tag @HeartHookHome across all social media, or share in the Heart Hook Home Crochet Community on Facebook.
More Free Crochet patterns for dogs:
Dog Snood Costumes: Free Crochet Patterns
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