I have to be honest, when Lion Brand asked me to design a poncho for the new Touch of Alpaca yarn I had to pinch myself a little. This is simply the squishiest fiber and was so fun to work with. I knew immediately the kind of poncho I wanted to make. One I would want to live in!

In 2003 I got to spend some time in various parts of Montana. What a really incredible place. Bozeman would have to be my fave of the spots I visited, maybe because I had some time to really take it all in while there. What I remember most was the view. Or views, plural, I should say. It seemed no matter which direction I looked there was a magnificent mountain view. This was before we all carried cameras in our phones so I rely on my memory for those views. And they are there. I can close my eyes and be whisked away to that wonderous space.  I wanted to create a Poncho that reminded me of that place and time.

I think the Montana Poncho does just that. It is classic and has a natural shape and beauty just like the surrounding Bozeman views. Effortless. Timeless.

Lion Brand's new Touch of Alpaca is perfect for this design. It has the right amount of stretch and give but still holds the shape and structure of the poncho. The Montana Poncho features a slit side to make it functional and keep your arms accessible. That was something I always wanted to remain true to my designs: function AND fashion. Perfect for a cup of coffee on the porch on a brisk morning or carrying my bag to market.

The turtleneck has textured crochet ribbing to give you all the cozy feels. It works up easy and is perfect for markets and errands and I even wear it around the house as a sort of blanket shirt.

Supply List:
Lion Brand Touch Of Alpaca
Main Color (Dusty Blue): 4 (5, 6, 6)  Skeins
Contrast Color (Navy): 1 (2, 2, 2) Skeins
Crochet Hook Size I-9 / 5.5 mm
Tapestry needle to weave ends
Tape Measure
Fasteners or safety pins

Stitches Used / Abbreviations:
fsc – foundation single crochet
ch – chain loop
sc – single crochet
scbl – single crochet back loop only
sl st – slip stitch
hdc – half double crochet
dc – double crochet
st - stitch

Sizes:
Extra Small/Small, Medium/Large, 1X/2X, 3X/4X Finished Measurements
◦    Bust: 50.25 (54.75, 61.75, 66.25)”
◦    Length: 26.25 (27, 27.75, 28.5)”

GAUGE: 4” sq  =  14 sts  x 11 rows  in hdc stitch

NOTES: 
This pattern is written for Adult Woman size Extra Small/Small. (Sizes Medium/Large, 1X/2X, 3X/4X  in parentheses)
This poncho is worked from the top down.
First, the collar is crocheted sideways and seamed. The body of the poncho is worked down from the side of the collar.

You can also buy the printable pdf pattern that is add free with schematic and charts in my Etsy shop here.

BEGIN WITH MAIN COLOR:

NECK:
Row 1: Fsc x24, Turn.
Row 2: Ch 1, 23x sc in back loop only, Turn.
Rows 3 – 96 (96, 104, 104): Ch 1, 23x sc in back loop only, Turn.
Sl st to top of initial fsc from first row, then 23 sl across to attach the whole band to become a circle
DO NOT CUT YARN  // Turn to now work the body

SHOULDERS & UPPER BODY:

Round 1: Ch 1 (does not act as st), 96 (96, 104, 104)  sc all way around, then sl st to first sc to complete Round
Round 2: Ch 1 (does not act as st), 96 (96, 104, 104) hdc all way around, then sl st to first hdc to complete Round
Round 3: Ch 1 (does not act as st), * 11 (11, 12, 12)  hdc, [2 hdc] *, repeat * to * all way around, then sl st to first hdc to complete Round  - total for Round 104 (104, 112, 112) hdc
Round 4: Ch 1 (does not act as st), * 12 (12, 13, 13) hdc, [2 hdc in next st] *, repeat * to * all way around, then sl st to first hdc to complete Round - total for Round 112 (112, 120, 120)
Round 5: Ch 1 (does not act as st), * 13 (13, 14, 14) hdc, [2 hdc in next st] *, repeat * to * all way around, then sl st to first hdc to complete Round - total for Round 120 (120, 128, 128) hdc
Round 6: Ch 1 (does not act as st), * 14 (14, 15, 15) hdc, [2 hdc in next st] *, repeat * to * all way around, then sl st to first hdc to complete Round - total for Round 128 (128, 136, 136) hdc
Round 7: Ch 1 (does not act as st), * 15 (15, 16, 16) hdc, [2 hdc in next st] *, repeat * to * all way around, then sl st to first hdc to complete Round - total for Round 136 (136, 144, 144)  hdc
Round 8: Ch 1 (does not act as st), * 16 (16, 17, 17) hdc, [2 hdc in next st] *, repeat * to * all way around, then sl st to first hdc to complete Round - total for Round 144 (144, 152, 152) hdc
Round 9: Ch 1 (does not act as st), * 17 (17, 18, 18) hdc, [2 hdc in next st] *, repeat * to * all way around, then sl st to first hdc to complete Round - total for Round 152 (152, 160, 160) hdc
Round 10: Ch 1 (does not act as st), * 18 (18, 19, 19) hdc, [2 hdc in next st] *, repeat * to * all way around, then sl st to first hdc to complete Round - total for Round 160 (160, 168, 168) hdc
Round 11: Ch 1 (does not act as st), * 19 (19, 20, 20) hdc, [2 hdc in next st] *, repeat * to * all way around, then sl st to first hdc to complete Round - total for Round 168 (168, 176, 176) hdc
Rounds 12 - 13: Ch 1 (does not act as st), 168 (168, 176, 176)  hdc all way around, then sl st to first hdc to complete Round
Round 14: Ch 1 (does not act as st), * 20 (20, 21, 21) hdc, [2 hdc in next st] *, repeat * to * all way around, then sl st to first hdc to complete Round - total for Round 176 (176, 184, 184)  hdc
Round 15: Ch 1 (does not act as st), 176 (176, 184, 184) hdc all way around, then sl st to first hdc to complete Round

Medium/Large (1X/2X, 3X/4X) Sizes only:
Round 16: Ch 1 (does not act as st), * 21 (22, 22) hdc, [2 hdc in next st] *, repeat * to * all way around, then sl st to first hdc to complete Round - total for Round 184 (192, 192)  hdc
Round 17: Ch 1 (does not act as st), 22 (23, 23) hdc, [2 hdc in next st] *, repeat * to * all way around, then sl st to first hdc to complete Round - total for Round 192 (200, 200)  hdc

 1X/2X (3X/4X) Sizes only:
Round 18: Ch 1 (does not act as st), * 24 hdc, [2 hdc in next st] *, repeat * to * all way around, then sl st to first hdc to complete Round - total for Round 208 hdc.
Round 19: Ch 1 (does not act as st), * 25 hdc, [2 hdc in next st] *, repeat * to * all way around, then sl st to first hdc to complete Round - total for Round 216 hdc.

3X/4X Size only:
Round 20: Ch 1 (does not act as st), * 26 hdc, [2 hdc in next st] *, repeat * to * all way around, then sl st to first hdc to complete Round - total for Round 224 hdc.
Round 21: Ch 1 (does not act as st), * 27 hdc, [2 hdc in next st] *, repeat * to * all way around, then sl st to first hdc to complete Round - total for Round 232 hdc.

All Sizes:
Next 2 Rounds: Ch 1 (does not act as st), 176 (192, 216, 232) hdc all way around, then sl st to first hdc to complete Round

CONTINUE MAIN BODY:
NOTE: You will now begin working in Rows and turning your work after each Row

Rows 1-2: Ch 1 (does not act as st), 176 (192, 216, 232) hdc all way across, Turn.

CHANGE TO CONTRAST COLOR
Row 3: Ch 1 (does not act as st), 176 (192, 216, 232) hdc all way across, turn.
Row 4: Ch 1 (does not act as st), skip first st, dc in next hdc, 1 dc in skipped st, crossing back in front of dc just made, *skip next hdc, 1 dc in skipped st, crossing back in front of dc just made * repeat * to * all way across row, turn.
Row 5: Ch 1 (does not act as st), 176 (192, 216, 232) hdc all way across, turn.

CHANGE  TO MAIN COLOR
Row 6: Ch 1 (does not act as st), 176 (192, 216, 232) hdc all way across, turn.
Row 7: Ch 1 (does not act as st), * 21 (23, 26, 28) hdc, [2 hdc in next st] *, repeat * to * all way across, turn – total for Row 184 (200, 224, 240) hdc.
Row 8: Ch 1 (does not act as st), * 22 (24, 27, 28) hdc, [2 hdc in next st] *, repeat * to * all way across, turn – total for Row 192 (208, 232, 248) hdc.
Rows 9-14: Ch 1 (does not act as st), 192 (208, 232, 248) hdc all way across, turn.

CHANGE TO CONTRAST COLOR
Row 15: Ch 1 (does not act as st), 192 (208, 232, 248) hdc all way across, turn.

CHANGE  TO MAIN COLOR
Rows 16 - 28: Ch 1 (does not act as st), 192 (208, 232, 248) hdc all way across, turn.

CHANGE TO CONTRAST COLOR
Row 29: Ch 1 (does not act as st), 192 (208, 232, 248) hdc all way across, turn.

CHANGE  TO MAIN COLOR
Rows 30 - 37: Ch 1 (does not act as st), 192 (208, 232, 248) hdc all way across, turn.

CHANGE TO CONTRAST COLOR
Row 38: Ch 1 (does not act as st), 192 (208, 232, 248) hdc all way across, turn.
Row 39: Ch 1 (does not act as st), skip first st, dc in next hdc, 1 dc in skipped st, crossing back in front of dc just made, *skip next hdc, 1 dc in skipped st, crossing back in front of dc just made * repeat * to * all way across row, Turn.
Row 40: Ch 1 (does not act as st), 192 (208, 232, 248) hdc all way across, turn.

CHANGE  TO MAIN COLOR
Rows 41-50: Ch 1 (does not act as st), 192 (208, 232, 248) hdc all way across, turn.

CHANGE TO CONTRAST COLOR
Row 51: Ch 1 (does not act as st), hdc in each st across, increasing 0 (2, 2, 1) st(s) evenly, turn – total for row 192 (210, 234, 249) hdc (needs to be multiple of 3)
Row 52: Ch 2 (acts as first dc), skip 1 hdc, [3x dc] in next hdc, *skip 2 hdc, 3x dc] in next hdc * Repeat * to * across to end.
Rows 53 - 54: Ch 2 (acts as first dc), skip 2 dc, *[3x dc] in between each dc cluster, skip 3 dc * Repeat across ending with 3 dc betweeen last dc cluster and beginning ch 2, turn.
Row 55: Ch 1 (does not act as st), hdc in each st all way across – total for row 193 (211, 234, 250) hdc.

Fasten Off.
Weave in ends