The Narwhal Crochet Poncho & Buddy Pattern is a beginner-level crochet pattern. My son inspired this design from this question: Does the Narwhal have a horn or a tusk? I had no idea, so we had to google it, and it turns out it’s a tusk. A Narwhal will use it to ‘feel’ or taste. Kids are so much fun because they challenge the world, and we learn a few things along the way too.
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6 Fun Facts About Narwhals
- They are often referred to as the ‘unicorn of the sea’.
- Narwhals live in Arctic Waters, 75% are found in the Canadian Arctic
- Their lifespan is up to 50 years, but most live between 30-40 years.
- The narwhal’s tusks can be as long as 10 feet.
- As narwhals age they can change color.
- April 22nd is National Narwhal Day!
This cute child poncho is fun with the extra little buddy. The Narwhal poncho has buttons for easy removal and a tie to keep the hood in place. The poncho is great for bundling up a child in style for the fall and winter.
Love this pattern? Check out these other crochet poncho and buddy patterns:
Cactus Succulent Crochet Poncho & Buddy
Panda Bear Crochet Poncho & Buddy
Pineapple Crochet Poncho & Buddy
Narwhal Crochet Poncho Supplies:
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Crochet Hook:
6.0mm (J hook) and 4.00 (G) Hook, or hook to obtain gauge
Notions:
Removable stitch markers if needed
Yarn needle to weave in ends
Scissors
Fiberfill
2 Black Safety Eyes (.35”, 9mm)
For younger ages, safety eyes can pose a choking risk, and sewn-on eyes with black yarn is recommended.
1” Buttons 4 (5, 6, 6, 7) needed
Yarn:
WeCrochet Brava, 100% Premium Acrylic, 218yds/100g
In Colorways Clarity, Black, & White
If the gauge is met, other yarns of the same weight can be substituted:
Paintbox Yarns Simply Aran
Red Heart Soft or Super Saver
I Love This Yarn in:
Glacier (main poncho color)
Black (small amount)
White (tie and tassel)
Yardage:
Approx. 275 (375, 505, 550, 610) yards for poncho
Approx 75 yards for ragdoll
Abbreviations/Stitches:
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
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 round.
Step 4: Yarn over and draw through loop.
Step 5: Yarn over, draw through two loops, yarn over, and draw through final two loops.
Gauge:
12 sts and 7 rows = 4″ (10 cm) in Ldc
Skill Level:
Easy
Size:
newborn (baby, toddler, preschool, child)
Notes:
When joining, join to the first stitch of the round.
At the beginning of the row or round, Chains do not count as a stitch.
Linked Double Crochet Video:
Narwhal 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 button hole), 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 button hole), 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)
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
1: Ch 2, working in FLO, Ldc 24 (27, 30, 33, 36), turn
(leave the rest of the stitches unworked)
2: Ch 2, working in BLO, Ldc 24 (27, 30, 33, 35), turn 24 (27, 30, 33, 36)
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 right side facing the poncho is now a big ‘L’ shape.
Narwhal Hood
1: With right side 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 evenly place hood.
Place stitch marker 4 (4, 4, 5, 5) stitches in from the right top edge of the horizontal section. Measure the area form 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.
2: Ch 2, working in FLO, hdc in each stitch across, turn 40 (46, 52, 58, 64)
3: Ch 2, working BLO, Ldc in each stitch across, turn 40 (46, 52, 58, 64)
4: Ch 2, working FLO, Ldc in each stitch across, turn 40 (46, 52, 58, 64)
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 wrong sides 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.
Total Slip Stitches: 20 (23, 26, 29, 32)
Fasten off and weave in ends.
Edging
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.
Ch 1, working in BLO, slip stitch in each edge border stitch around, join. Fasten off and weave in ends.
Narwhal Tusk
Use 4.0mm (G) Hook and White Yarn
This will be worked in continuous rounds, use a stitch marker to keep track of rounds.
Round 1: With White Yarn: In MR (magic ring), sc 4
OR chain 2 and sc 4 in second chain from hook
Round 2: Working in BLO, 2 sc in first, sc 3 (5)
Round 3: Working in BLO, 2 sc in first, sc 4 (6)
Round 4: Working in BLO, 2 sc in first, sc 5 (7)
Round 5: Working in BLO, 2 sc in first, sc 6 (8)
Round 6: Working in BLO, 2 sc in first, sc 7 (9)
Round 7: Working in BLO, 2 sc in first, sc 8 (10)
Round 8: Working in BLO, 2 sc in first, sc 9 (11)
Round 9: Working in BLO, 2 sc in first, sc 10 (12)
Round 10: Working in BLO, 2 sc in first, sc 11 (13)
Round 11: Working in BLO, 2 sc in first, sc 12 (14)
Round 12: Working in BLO, 2 sc in first, sc 13 (15)
Round 13: Working in BLO, 2 sc in first, sc 14 (16)
Stop on this round for Newborn, fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing to hood.
Round 14: Working in BLO, 2 sc in first, sc 15 (17)
Round 15: Working in BLO, 2 sc in first, sc 16 (18)
Round 16: Working in BLO, 2 sc in first, sc 17 (19)
Stop on this round for Baby, fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing to hood.
Round 17: Working in BLO, 2 sc in first, sc 18 (20)
Round 18: Working in BLO, 2 sc in first, sc 19 (21)
Round 19: Working in BLO, 2 sc in first, sc 20 (22)
Stop on this round for Toddler and Preschool, fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing to hood.
Round 20: Working in BLO, 2 sc in first, sc 21 (23)
Round 21: Working in BLO, 2 sc in first, sc 22 (24)
Round 22: Working in BLO, 2 sc in first, sc 23 (25)
Stop on this round for Child, fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing to hood.
Attaching Narwhal Tusk:
Stuff Narwhal Tusk with fiberfill and place at top center of hood three rows from front edge. Sew hood in place, fasten off and weave in ends.
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.
Narwhal BuddyBody of Narwhal (make 2)- Use 4.0mm (G) Hook
Row 1: With Main Color (Glacier) Yarn: Foundation sc 4, turn
OR Ch 5, sc in second chain from hook and across, turn
Row 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in first, sc in next 2, 2 sc in last, turn (6)
Row 3: Ch 1, 2 sc in first, sc in next 4, 2 sc in last, turn (8)
Row 4: Ch 1, 2 sc in first, sc in next 6, 2 sc in last, turn (10)
Row 5: Ch 1, 2 sc in first, sc in next 8, 2 sc in last, turn (12)
Row 6: Ch 1, 2 sc in first, sc in next 10, 2 sc in last, turn (14)
Row 7: Ch 1, 2 sc in first, sc in next 12, 2 sc in last, turn (16)
Rows 8-14: Ch 1, sc in each stitch across, turn (16)
Row 15: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc 12, sc2tog, turn (14)
Row 16: Ch 1, sc in each stitch across, turn (14)
Row 17: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc 10, sc2tog, turn (12)
Row 18: Ch 1, sc in each stitch across, turn (12)
Row 19: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc 8, sc2tog, turn (10)
Row 20: Ch 1, sc in each stitch across, turn (10)
Row 21: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc 6, sc2tog, turn (8)
Row 22: Ch 1, sc in each stitch across, turn (8)
Row 23: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc 4, sc2tog, turn (6)
Rows 24-26: Ch 1, sc in each stitch across, turn (6)
Row 27: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc 2, sc2tog, turn (4)
First Fin:
Row 1: This will create the first fin: Ch 1, sc 4, ch 3, turn. 7 including chains
Row 2: Sc in second chain from hook and in next 2, slip stitch in next, turn. 4 including slip stitch
Row 3: Ch 1, skip slip stitch, sc in next 3, 3 sc in last stitch, turn (6)
Row 4: Ch 2, 3 hdc in first, 2 hdc in next, 1 hdc in next, sc in next 2, slip stitch in next, turn. 9 including slip stitch
Row 5: Ch 1, skip first slip stitch, slip stitch in next, sc 6, slip stitch in last, fasten off and weave in ends. 8 including slip stitches
Second Fin:
Row 1: Attach to unworked stitch of row 1 from the first fin (see picture below), sc 2, chain 3, turn. 7 including chains
Row 2: Sc in second chain from hook and in next 2, slip stitch in next (this slip stitch will be in-between fins), turn. 4 including slip stitch
Row 3: Ch 1, skip slip stitch, sc in next 3, 3 sc in last stitch, turn. (6)
Row 4: Ch 2, 3 hdc in first, 2 hdc in next, 1 hdc in next, sc in next 2, slip stitch in next, turn. 9 including slip stitch
Row 5: Ch 1, skip first slip stitch, slip stitch in next, sc 6, slip stitch in last, fasten off and weave in ends. 8 including slip stitches
Narwhal Arm Fins (make 2)– Use 4.0mm (G) Hook
This will be worked in continuous rounds, use a stitch marker to keep track of rounds.
Round 1: With Main Color Yarn: In MR (magic ring), sc 4
OR chain 2 and sc 4 in second chain from hook
Round 2: 2 sc in first, sc 3 (5)
Round 3: 2 sc in first, sc 4 (6)
Round 4: 2 sc in first, sc 5 (7)
Round 5: 2 sc in first, sc 6 (8)
Rounds 6-9: Sc in each stitch around (8)
Fasten off and leave a long tail, set aside for assembly
Narwhal Buddy Tusk (make 1)- Use 4.0mm (G) Hook
This will be worked in continuous rounds, use a stitch marker to keep track of rounds.
Round 1: With White Yarn: In MR (magic ring), sc 3
OR chain 2 and sc 3 in second chain from hook
Round 2: Working in BLO, 2 sc in first, sc 2 (4)
Round 3: Working in BLO, 2 sc in first, sc 3 (5)
Rounds 4-6: Ch 1, sc in each stitch around (5)
Fasten off and set aside for assembly.
Narwhal Buddy Assembly:
Place Safety Eyes on front of one of the body pieces. 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 narwhal bodies together and hand sew the arms in place between body layers on each side. This will close any gaps where the arms are places and join all the layers together. Sew the narwhal tusk to the top of the narwhal sewing the layers together. Weave in ends.
Join yarn to narwhal and sc the layers together. When working across the arms and tusk, crochet through the front layer only. Continue to sc around narwhal, 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.
CROCHET & TAG
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