Cactus Crochet Poncho & Buddy
The Cactus Crochet Poncho & Buddy is the third in the series of poncho & buddy sets. (*See below for links to the other sets.)
Overall in the last few years, succulents have been taking the world by storm. I, myself, have several sitting right here next to me in my office, so obviously I didn't have to look far for inspiration.
The Cactus Crochet Poncho & Buddy set was the perfect addition to the earlier sets in the series. It pairs so well with the verisality of the rest of the ponchos, and the simple construction is suitable for all skill levels.
When designing each poncho I wanted to make sure to focus on wearablity as well as cuteness, because no kid wants to wear something uncomfortable. I wanted the Cactus Crochet Poncho to be easy to put on and take off, all the while making sure that the kids could move and still have fun.
And just like the The Cactus Crochet Poncho the Buddy was made with simplicity in mind, so it is made flat and stitched together. All embellishments are added before stitched together making this truly a simple pattern work up.
The Cactus Crochet Poncho is a 4-season piece that undoubtedly all the littles in your life will love to wear, and the coordinating buddy is the perfect companion for a quick hug without all the prickles.
Other patterns I would recommend if you like this pattern:
Narwhal Crochet Poncho & Buddy
Panda Bear Crochet Poncho & Buddy
Pineapple Corchet Poncho & Buddy
Where To Purchase My Ad-Free Downloadable PDF's:
Cactus Crochet Poncho & Buddy Supplies
- 6.00mm (J) Hook
- 4.00 (G) Hook
- Yarn Needle
- Fiberfill
- 2 Black Safety Eyes (.35”, 9mm)
- Safety eyes can pose a choking risk for younger children, and sewn-on eyes with black yarn is recommended.
- Stitch marker
- 1” Buttons 4 (5, 6, 6, 7) needed
Yarn:
Brava Worsted (100% premium acrylic, worsted weight #4 yarn; 218 yds/199 m per 100 g skein)
- Alfalfa (main poncho color)
- Cotton Candy
- Black
- White
*Original yarn used was I Love This Yarn.
Yardage:
- Approx. 275 (375, 505, 550, 610) yards for a poncho
- Approx 75 yards for ragdoll
If gauge is met, other yarns of the same weight can be substituted:
Herrschners Worsted 8
Loops & Threads Soft & Shiny
Paintbox Yarns Simply Aran
Red Heart Soft Baby Steps or Super Saver
Sprightly Yarns Acrylic Worsted
Abbreviations:
BLO- Back Loop Only
ch- Chain
FLO– Front Loop Only
Hdc- Half Double Crochet
Ldc- Linked Double Crochet
MR- Magic Ring
RS- Right Side
sc- single crochet
sc2tog-single crochet two together
sc3tog- single crochet three together
WS- Wrong Side
Special Stitches
For first Ldc in row:
Step 1: Chain 2
Step 2: Insert hook into the second chain from hook, yarn over, draw a loop through.
Step 3: Insert hook into the first stitch in row, yarn over, and draw through loop. (3 loops on hook)
Step 4: Yarn over, draw through two loops, yarn over, and draw through final two loops.
For all other Ldc in row:
Step 1: Insert hook into the horizontal bar of the previous stitch from top to bottom.
Step 2: Yarn over and draw a loop through the horizontal bar.
Step 3: Insert hook into the next stitch in row.
Step 4: Yarn over and draw through loop.
Step 5: Yarn over, draw through two loops, yarn over, and draw through final two loops.
Foundation Linked Double Crochet Video
Video for Ldc with Button Holes Video
Skill Level
Easy
Gauge
12 sts and 7 rows = 4" (10 cm) in Ldc
Sizes & Finished Measurements in Inches: newborn (baby, toddler, preschool, child)
Notes
- When joining, join to the first stitch of the round.
- Chains at the beginning of the row or round do not count as a stitch.
Video
Poncho Body
Use 6.0mm (J) Hook
Sizes and stitch counts are indicated as: newborn (baby, toddler, preschool, child)
Row 1: (RS) With Main Color Yarn: Foundation Ldc 48 (54, 60, 66, 72), turn, or chain 50 (56, 62 ,68, 74) and Ldc in third chain from hook and across, turn. 48 (54, 60, 66, 72)
Row 2: (WS) Ch 2, working in FLO, Ldc across until last two stitches, dc in next (creating a buttonhole), Ldc in last, turn. 48 (54, 60, 66, 72)
Row 3: Ch 2, working BLO, Ldc in each stitch across, turn. 48 (54, 60, 66, 72)
Row 4: Ch 2, working FLO, Ldc in each stitch across, turn. 48 (54, 60, 66, 72)
Row 5: Ch 2, working BLO, Ldc in first 2, dc in next (creates a buttonhole), Ldc in remaining stitches, turn. 48 (54, 60, 66, 72)
Row 6: Ch 2, working FLO, Ldc in each stitch across, turn. 48 (54, 60, 66, 72)
Row 7: Ch 2, working BLO, Ldc in each stitch across, turn. 48 (54, 60, 66, 72)
Repeats:
Newborn: repeat Rows 2- 7 one more time. (row count = 13)
Baby: repeat Rows 2-7 one more time, then repeat rows 2-3 one more time. (row count = 15)
Toddler: repeat Rows 2-7 one more time, then repeat rows 2-5 one more time. (row count = 17)
Preschool: repeat Rows 2-7 two more times (row count = 19)
Child: repeat Rows 2-7 two more times, then repeat rows 2-3 one more time. (row count = 21)
Vertical Section
Row 1: Ch 2, working in FLO, Ldc 24 (27, 30, 33, 36), turn. (leave the rest of the stitches unworked)
24 (27, 30, 33, 36)
Row 2: Ch 2, working in BLO, Ldc 24 (27, 30, 33, 35), turn. 24 (27, 30, 33, 36)
Repeats:
Newborn: repeat Rows 1-2 ten more times, then repeat Row 1 one more time. (23 total vertical rows)
Baby: repeat Rows 1-2 twelve more times, then repeat Row 1 one more time. (27 total vertical rows)
Toddler: repeat Rows 1-2 fourteen more times, then repeat Row 1 one more time. (31 total vertical rows)
Preschool: repeat Rows 1-2 sixteen more times, then repeat Row 1 one more time. (35 total vertical rows)
Child: repeat Rows 1-2 eighteen more times, then repeat Row 1 one more time. (39 total vertical rows)
Fasten off and weave in ends. With RS facing the poncho is now a big ‘L’ shape.
Hood
With RS facing, skip the first 4 (4, 4, 5, 5,) stitches and join yarn. Ch 1, slip stitch 40 (46, 52, 58, 64) evenly across, turn
Tip: Use stitch markers to place hood evenly.
Row 1: Place stitch marker 4 (4, 4, 5, 5) stitches in from the right top edge of the horizontal section. Measure the area from that stitch marker to where the vertical section begins. Measure the same distance on the vertical section and place stitch marker. Crochet 40 (46, 52, 58, 64) stitches evenly between markers. 40 (46, 52, 58, 64)
Row 2: Ch 2, working in FLO, hdc in each stitch across, turn. 40 (46, 52, 58, 64)
Row 3: Ch 2, working in BLO, Ldc in each stitch across, turn. 40 (46, 52, 58, 64)
Row 4: Ch 2, working in FLO, Ldc in each stitch across, turn. 40 (46, 52, 58, 64)
Repeats:
Newborn: repeat Rows 3-4 five more times, then repeat Row 3 one more time (13 total Ldc rows for hood)
Baby: repeat Rows 3-4 six more times, then repeat Row 3 one more time (15 total Ldc rows for hood)
Toddler: repeat Rows 3-4 seven more times, then repeat Row 3 one more time (17 total Ldc rows for hood)
Preschool: repeat Rows 3-4 eight more times, then repeat Row 3 one more time (19 total Ldc rows for hood)
Child: repeat Rows 3-4 nine more times, then repeat Row 3 one more time (21 total Ldc rows for hood)
Hood Joining:
With WS facing fold the hood end in half to join. Ch 1, *slip stitch through the BLO of fabric closest to hook and FLO of joining fabric. Repeat across to join all hood stitches. Fasten off and weave in ends. Total Slip Stitches: 20 (23, 26, 29, 32)
Edging:
Row 1: Attach yarn to edge of poncho at the back corner and chain 1. Slip stitch evenly around the entire border of poncho including around the hood. Join with first slip stitch.
Row 2: Ch 1, working in BLO, slip stitch in each edge border stitch around, join. Fasten off and weave in ends.
Flower
Use 6.0mm (J) Hook and Cotton Candy Yarn
Round 1: In MR (magic ring), *sc, ch 5; repeat * five more times, join. (30 stitches including chains)
Round 2: *Working in chain 5 space: sc, hdc, dc 4, ch 2, dc 4, hdc, sc; repeat * for remaining chain spaces, join. Fasten off leaving a long tail and sew the flower to the top side of poncho hood. 70 stitches including chains.
Hood Tie
Using G-hook, chain a length of yarn approx 34 (36, 38, 40, 42) inches. Weave through the hdc row of hood. Create two tassels (instructions below) and attach to ends of chained strand.
Tassel:
Cut all strands of yarn at once by wrapping approx. 20 times around a phone and cutting once. Wrap the length of the phone for a long tassel and the width of the phone for a short tassel.
Cut another strand of yarn approx. 6 inches and tie in middle of cut strands OR use the ends of your hood tie.
Fold strand in half and cut an additional strand of yarn to tie just below top of folded tassel.
Buttons:
Fold poncho, overlapping button the holes to the opposite side. Mark button holes on opposite fabric and sew buttons into place.
Cactus Buddy
Body of Cactus (make 2)- Use 4.0mm (G) Hook
Row 1: With Main Color (Menthe) Yarn: Foundation sc 10, turn
OR Ch 11, sc in second chain from hook and across, turn
Rows 2-22: Ch 1, sc in each stitch across, turn (10)
Row 23: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc 6, sc2tog, turn (8)
Row 24: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc 4, sc2tog, turn (6)
Row 25: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc 2, sc2tog, turn (4)
Row 26: Ch 1, sc2tog twice, fasten off and weave in ends. Set aside until assembly.
Arms of Cactus (make 4)- Use 4.0mm (G) Hook
Row 1: With Main Color (Menthe) Yarn: Foundation sc 5, turn
OR Ch 6, sc in second chain from hook and across, turn
Rows 2-7: Ch 1, sc in each stitch across, turn (5)
Row 8: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc 3, do not turn (3)
Row 9: Rotate arm piece clockwise, ch 1, sc 5 across the side, turn (5)
Rows 10-11: Ch 1, sc in each stitch across, turn (5)
Row 12: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc 1, sc2tog, turn (3)
Row 13: Ch 1, sc3tog, fasten off and weave in ends. Set aside until assembly. (1)
Place Safety Eyes on front of the cactus body piece. For younger ages, safety eyes can pose a choking risk and sewn on eyes with black yarn is recommended.
Using black yarn, stitch a small smile below the eyes. If rosy cheeks are desired, a q-tip or make-up brush can be used to lightly add color with pastel chalk or even make-up blush.
Place two arm pieces together and sc around to join them together, stuffing with a small amount of fiberfill if desired. Repeat for other cactus arm.
Place cactus bodies together and hand sew the arms in place between body layers. This will join all the layers together closing any gaps where the arms are places. Weave in ends.
Join yarn to top of cactus and sc the layers together. When working across the arms, crochet the front layer only. Continue to sc around cactus, joining layers together until there is a couple of inches left. Stuff with desired amount of fiberfill. Continue to sc layers together to close all openings. Fasten off and weave in ends.
Flower for Buddy- Use 4.0mm (G) Hook and Rosy Cheeks Yarn
Row 1: With Rosy Cheeks (pink) Yarn:
In MR (magic ring), *sc, ch 5; repeat * five more times, join. Fasten off leaving a long tail and sew the flower to the top side of the cactus buddy. 30 stitches including chains
CROCHET & TAG
I hope you have enjoyed making the Cactus Crochet Poncho & Buddy Pattern!
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