DIY Crochet: Poncho

At long last, I have finally found a great extremely easy crochet poncho pattern! 

I've been wanting to make a poncho since the day I began crocheting, but every pattern looked crazy complicated and wasn't exactly appealing to the eye.  Thankfully lionbrand yarns came through for me for this season.  Check out the pattern I used here.

If you're interested in making this, I would definitely use the lion brand pattern, but if you want to recreate exactly what I've done above, you can use this altered pattern below.

Make a slip knot

chain 73

Row 1: Half Double Crochet (hdc) in 3rd chain from the hook, and in each stitch across

Row 2: *chain 2, turn, hdc in each stitch across* repeat ** until piece measures 50 inches

fasten off

Fold piece lengthwise bringing 1st row to meet last row                Beginning at top right hand corner, slip stitch side edges together for 13 inches hdc around neck opening join with slip stitch at the beginning chain *chain 2, hdc in each stitch around, join with slip sitch* repeat ** until neck cowl measures 8 inches fasten off                      

DIY Crochet: Lace Skirt

After making this crazy doilie looking scarf out of some white yarn and no pattern, I got to thinking...

What if I played around and tried to make a crochet skirt? It can't be too hard, it's basically just going around and around in circles, and honestly I don't have the patience to try to figure out all the confusing skirt patterns online, not to mention they're not too chic. So, here's my thought, use stretchy yarn, chain the base chain by measuring my waist and then shaving some chains off. Do a few rows of slip stitch or single crochet and then start the lacy shell pattern. To finish off I'll thread my darning needle with some white ribbon for the waist (to ensure the skirt stays up!) Here goes... of course this is a beach cover up, I know I know it's winter what am I thinking, but maybe this can be used for a nice winter beach vacation in the near future??

First chain to fit your waist line, For this I chained 120 for around a size 2

Single crochet in the second chain from the hook and each of the following chains

attach to form a circle

make 5 rows of single crochet

Begin to shell stitch, using the following pattern: Skip 3 single crochets, in the 4th single crochet create a shell (Shell=3 double crochets, chain two, 3 double crochets; note: this shell sequence is all in the same single crochet); next skip 5 single crochets, crochet a shell in the 6th single crochet, continue until you reach the end of the row, double crochet in the last single crochet of the row, chain 3, and begin working a shell into the first "hole" in the first shell from the first row. Continue working shells into each succeeding hole, when you reach the end of your row chain 3, continue this pattern until you reach your desired length.
Below you'll see the pattern in a few steps:

Sew in ends with a darning needle

Wear

Note: The Ribbon wasn't necessary for this skirt, but if you attempt to make this and the waistline isn't tight enough, thread your darning needle with ribbon and sew into the waistband.