Crochet Twist Swancho

Crochet garments don’t get easier or more beginner friendly than this one – The Crochet Twist Swancho!

I set out to make a poncho that could easily transition through all four seasons depending on what’s layered under it. Once I had this poncho all seamed up and tried on, it reminded me of the feel of a sweater but way more loose and flowy – sweater + poncho = SWANCHO!

The Design

I love creating interesting, unique garments with super simple shapes – just like the Ava Poncho I made earlier this year!

The Twist Swancho is made with just two rectangles, one slightly longer than the other to allow for enough width to twist in the front and drape nicely into a sort of V neckline. Who knew making something so classic was so easy?

SUMMER PATTERNS I LOVE (& you should too)

1. Crochet Ava Poncho / 2. Crochet Weekender Tunic / 3. Crochet June Sun Hat

The Fit

This Swancho is quite oversized, in fact you may want to size down an entire size if you want this swancho to be even somewhat fitted to your shape. I designed this pattern to drape over tanks in the summer and bulky sweaters in the winter, perfect for all seasons but many of my testers preferred a more fitted shape. So if you’d like your swancho to fit as pictured, follow the pattern below for your normal size but if you’d like a more fitted sweater, size down!

The Yarn

I used Lion Brand’s new ZZ Twist yarn that was created with crocheters in mind – hallelujah! It really made this design pop for several reasons. Be sure to grab the kit BY CLICKING HERE to get all the yarn you need in a gorgeous color with a printed copy of the pattern too!

This yarn is spun in a Z style twist (thus the name!) as opposed to the traditional S style twist. Basically this yarn is spun in the opposite direction as “normal” yarn. This is because it’s made to work with your crochet hook, not against it. The Z twist is the same direction your hook moves in and out of the stitches in your work! So this yarn works with your crocheting tools similarly to how S twist yarns work with knitting needles. So neat!

And that’s not even my favorite part of this yarn. I cannot get over the drape of ZZ Twist! When we’re making clothes, drape is everything. If a garment doesn’t drape, it might as well be made of burlap. It’s stiff and uncomfortable and let’s face it – a lot of handmade clothes can come out this way. But this yarn solves all of those problems – seriously! I’m trying to keep my mind and hands open to other yarns, but I don’t think I can – I’ve found my yarn soulmate and it’s ZZ Twist!

The colors that this yarn comes in are just as stunning as the drape. They’re rich and saturated without being wildly vibrant. Even the brighter tones like Green Apple and Coral aren’t highlighter bright, they’re rich natural brights. Lion Brand really nailed it with this one and this Peacock color is my favorite of the current lineup!

 

Another great resource is the video tutorial! View it below, hope it helps ya!

 

PATTERN

• Get the ad-free, large print, printable PDF pattern HERE.
• Grab the Ultimate Pattern Bundle that includes 150+ patterns just like this one on sale for $20 today HERE.
• PIN this pattern to your Pinterest boards for later HERE.
• Add this pattern to your Ravelry queue HERE.

To sum it up:

The Twist Swancho is the dreamy, drapey topper that takes us through all four seasons. It’s sort of a poncho, sort of a sweater, and sort of amazing! It works up from two plain rectangular panels that are sewn together with a twist in front to add simple shaping while maintaining it’s beginner level status. With a slouchy, oversized fit, the Twist Swancho is made to throw on over any outfit – from sundresses to thick winter sweaters.

Materials:

–Lion Brand ZZ Twist yarn (Weight: 4/Medium – 3.5oz, 246 yds)

Color: Peacock – 5 (6, 6, 7, 7, 7, 8) skeins (approx. 460, 520, 550, 610, 650, 710, 750 g)

Grab the kit with everything you need to make this pattern for 20% off HERE!

–Size I 5.5 mm hook

–Tapestry needle

–Measuring tape or ruler

Shop all my favorite tools & materials HERE!

Sizes:

XS, S, M, L, Xl, XXL, XXXL

Abbreviations (US terms):

ch – chain

blo – back loop only

dc – double crochet

sk – skip

st(s) – stitch(es)

t – turn

Skill Level: Level 2 Easy

Notes:

-This sweater/poncho fits very oversized. For reference, model is 5’5” tall with a 38” bust and wearing the Twist Swancho in size Medium.

-If you’d like a fit as pictured on me, follow your usual size. If you’re between sizes, please size down.

-Sizing listed in the pattern will be in X-Small with Small, Medium, Large, Xl, 2X, and 3X listed in parenthesis such as 36 “(41, 46, 51, 56, 61, 66)” whereas Ch 36 for size XS, 41 for size S, 46 for size M, 51 for size L, 56 for size XL, 61 for size 2X and 66 for size 3X. When only one number is given, it applies to all sizes. To follow pattern more easily, circle/highlight all numbers pertaining to your size before beginning.

-Pattern is worked by first making the back panel and front panel then seaming them up to create the swancho shape. Assembly instructions will be the same for all sizes.

-Ch 2 does not count as a stitch.

Gauge:

12 sts x 11 rows in Dc = 4”

Dimensions:

XS – 19 x 26″

S – 20 x 28″

M – 20 x 30″

L – 21 x 32″

XL – 21 x 34″

XXL – 22 x 36″

XXXL – 22 x 38″

Twist Swancho

Back panel

Row 1: Ch 82 (87, 87, 92, 92, 97, 97), Dc in 3rd Ch from hook, Dc to end, Ch 2, t (80, 85, 85, 90, 90, 95, 95)

Row 2: BLO Dc in each st, Ch 2, turn (80, 85, 85, 90, 90, 95, 95)

Repeat Row 2 until you reach the correct length for your size as follows:

X-Small: Work to Row 63

Small: Work to Row 68

Medium: Work to Row 73

Large: Work to Row 78

XL: Work to Row 83

2XL: Work to Row 88

3XL: Work to Row 93

Finish off yarn.

Stitch Table for Back Panel	# of stitches in each Row	# of Rows	Width (in inches)	Length (in inches)
XS	80	63	19	26
S	85	68	20	28
M	85	73	20	30
L	90	78	21	32
XL	90	83	21	34
XXL	95	88	22	36
XXXL	95	93	22	38

Front Panel

Row 1: Ch 82 (87, 87, 92, 92, 97, 97), Dc in 3rd Ch from hook, Dc to end, Ch 2, t (80, 85, 85, 90, 90, 95, 95)

Row 2: BLO Dc in each st, Ch 2, turn (80, 85, 85, 90, 90, 95, 95)

Repeat Row 2 until you reach the correct length for your size as follows:

X-Small: Work to Row 75

Small: Work to Row 80

Medium: Work to Row 85

Large: Work to Row 90

XL: Work to Row 95

2XL: Work to Row 100

3XL: Work to Row 105

Finish off yarn.

Stitch Table for Front Panel	# of stitches in each Row	# of Rows	Width (in inches)	Length (in inches)
XS	80	75	19	31
S	85	80	20	33
M	85	85	20	35
L	90	90	21	37
XL	90	95	21	39
XXL	95	100	22	41
XXXL	95	105	22	43

Twist:

Lay back piece down flat, lengthwise (in a landscape orientation.

Lay front piece on top. Twist center of front piece as pictured.

Line up edges of front piece to back piece.

Use stitch markers to mark where your shoulder seams will end and open for the neckline. Do this by measuring 9.5 (10, 11, 11.5, 12.5, 13, 13.5) inches inward (toward the center) from either side. Be sure to mark both front and back pieces together. Double check that your markings match by counting rows.

Use stitch marker to mark where your side seams will end and open for the armholes. Do this by measuring 9.5 (10, 11, 11.5, 12.5, 13, 13.5)  inches from the shoulder seam or top edge of the side seam (shorter sides of your panels. Be sure to mark both front and back pieces together. Double check that your markings match by counting stitches.

Seams:

With a spare piece of yarn (cut to about 3x the length of the area where your side seam will be), use a mattress stitch to seam up the sides of your cardigan and the shoulder seams.

Repeat side seam and shoulder seam on the other side. Weave all ends.

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