Autumn Leaf Cascade Poncho
Intro (4 short paragraphs, EN):
Fall asks for texture, warmth, and color—and this poncho delivers all three. The base is an airy, drapey mesh that’s light on your shoulders but cozy over long sleeves. Then come the stars: layers of crochet leaves worked in fiery gradients and stitched on in overlapping rows to create a soft “leaf-fall” cascade.
This construction is wonderfully forgiving. You’ll make two easy rectangles, seam them into a classic V-neck poncho, then add leaves until you love the volume. No complicated shaping, and the fit is relaxed on a wide range of bodies.
The leaves are quick “palate cleansers”—perfect for using up autumnal scraps. Work them in oranges, golds, moss, and russet, or choose a single sophisticated palette. The more you overlap, the more sculptural your poncho becomes.
Confident beginners can absolutely do this. If you can make double crochet, chains, and a few tall stitches, you’re set. Experienced makers can play with yarn blends (halo mohair! tweeds!) and thread-painting veins for extra realism.
Materials
- Yarn (poncho base): DK–worsted weight with drape; ~800–900 yd (730–825 m) total in a neutral/leaf-ground color.
- Yarn (leaves): Assorted DK–worsted scraps in 4–6 autumn shades; ~350–500 yd (320–455 m) total.
- Hook: 6.0 mm (J/10) for drapey mesh; 5.0 mm (H/8) for leaves (adjust to gauge).
- Notions: Yarn needle, locking markers, blocking tools, optional beads for leaf tips.
Size & Fit
- One size (easily adjustable): Finished depth (shoulder to point) ~27–28″ (69–71 cm); width across shoulders ~34″ (86 cm).
- To make larger/smaller, add or subtract mesh rows (depth) or starting chains (width). Instructions include multiples.
Gauge (after light blocking)
- Mesh pattern with 6.0 mm hook: 12 dc (including mesh ch-1 spaces) × 6 rows ≈ 4″ (10 cm).
- Gauge is not critical for leaves.
Abbreviations (US terms)
ch = chain • sl st = slip stitch • sc = single crochet • hdc = half double crochet • dc = double crochet • tr = treble • st(s) = stitch(es) • sp = space • sk = skip • RS/WS = right/wrong side • rep = repeat
Construction Overview
- Crochet two mesh rectangles.
- Seam short edges to form a V-neck poncho (one seam for shoulder, one left open for neckline).
- Add a tidy neckband.
- Crochet leaf motifs (S/M/L).
- Stitch leaves to the mesh in overlapping, staggered rows.
- Edge and block.
1) Mesh Rectangle (make 2)
- Multiple: Foundation is a multiple of 4 + 3.
- Target rectangle: ~34″ wide × 22″ tall (before blocking).
Foundation: Ch 139 (or to desired width; any 4n+3).
Row 1 (RS): Dc in 4th ch from hook (counts as dc + ch-1 + dc made), ch-1, sk 1 ch, dc in next ch; rep to end. Turn.
Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as dc), ch-1, dc in next dc across, ending dc in top of turning ch. Turn.
Rows 3–33: Rep Row 2 (or to desired length). Fasten off, weave ends. Make the second rectangle the same.
Tip: Stripe very subtly in the base (tone-on-tone) to mimic shifting light behind the leaves.
2) Poncho Assembly
Lay rectangles as a big “+”. Overlap them 6–7″ (15–18 cm) at center to form a diamond. Mark a neckline slit about 10″ (25 cm) along the top overlap.
- Shoulder seam: With RS together, seam from outer edge inward to the neckline mark using mattress stitch through dc posts so the mesh stays elastic.
- Opposite side: Leave open to form the V. Try on; adjust overlap to center the point.
3) Neckband (optional but polished)
With 5.0–5.5 mm hook and base yarn, join at back neck.
Round 1: Work [sc in dc, sc in ch-sp] evenly around the slit; place 3 sc at the V point. Join with sl st.
Round 2 (rib look): Ch 1, sc in next st, ch 1, sk 1 around; maintain 3 sc at V. Join.
Round 3: Sc around (sc in ch-1 sps and sc sts). Fasten off.
4) Leaf Motifs (three sizes)
General notes: Leaves are worked top-down in rows around a center chain, with mirrored increases to form the classic pointy lobes. Switch to a smaller hook if edges ruffle.
Small Leaf (~3.5″/9 cm)
Ch 9.
Row 1 (RS): Dc in 4th ch from hook, dc in next 2, hdc in next, sc in next, 3 sc in last ch; rotate and work along the other side of the chain: sc, hdc, dc in next 3, (dc, ch 2, dc) in last; turn.
Row 2: Ch 2 (counts as hdc), hdc in next 4, sc in next 2, (sc, ch 2, sc) in center sc tip, sc in next 2, hdc in next 4, (hdc, ch 2, hdc) in ch-2 corner; turn.
Row 3 (point & shaping): Ch 1, sc in each st to first ch-2, (sc, ch 3, sl st in 1st ch, sc) in ch-2 (picot tip), sc across to next ch-2, (hdc, ch 1, hdc) in ch-2. Fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing.
Medium Leaf (~4.75″/12 cm)
Repeat Small Leaf but begin with ch 11, and on Row 2 use dc instead of hdc on the long edges for a wider belly. Finish with the same picot tip.
Large Leaf (~6″/15 cm)
Ch 13.
Row 1: Tr in 5th ch from hook, tr in next 2, dc in next 3, hdc, sc, 3 sc in last; rotate: sc, hdc, dc in next 3, tr in next 3, (tr, ch 2, tr) in last; turn.
Row 2: Ch 2, tr in next 4, dc in next 3, hdc, (sc, ch 2, sc) at tip, hdc, dc in next 3, tr in next 4, (hdc, ch 2, hdc) in corner; turn.
Row 3: Work even to first ch-2, (sc, picot, sc) in tip, even to corner, (dc, ch 1, dc) in corner. Fasten off.
Optional veins: Surface slip stitch down the leaf center with a contrasting thread.
Make 60–90 leaves total (mix sizes/colors). Steam-block lightly to relax curl but keep body.
5) Attach Leaves (cascading layout)
With the poncho flat and RS up, pin leaves in staggered rows starting 2″ (5 cm) above the hem:
- Row A (lowest): Place Large leaves tip-down, about 1½” (4 cm) apart, overlapping neighbors by ~⅓. Stitch only the top ⅓ of each leaf through the mesh so the tips lift.
- Row B: Medium leaves centered above the gaps of Row A, overlapping ½–⅔.
- Row C: Small leaves above Row B.
- Continue up the body, tapering the density toward the shoulders. Add a few leaves on sleeves/upper back for balance.
Try on as you go and adjust color flow (cluster warm tones near front point, cooler moss toward shoulders for depth).
6) Hem & Finishing
- Hem edging (subtle): With base yarn & 6 mm hook, join anywhere at hem. [sc, ch 1, sk 1] around to add light structure; at the poncho point work sc, ch 2, sc. Fasten off.
- Weave in ends, steam or wet-block on a towel, lifting the leaf tips so they dry dimensional.
- Optional: sew a small snap inside the front point to close on windy days.
Customizing
- Swap to a single-palette version (all moss + sage) for a sophisticated wrap.
- Add sparkle: thread a strand of metallic with your leaf yarn for holiday shimmer.
- Make it longer by adding more mesh rows before assembly; wider by increasing the starting chain (remember 4 + 3).
Skill Level: Confident Beginner
Time: 2–4 evenings for base + a few movie nights for leaves
Care: Hand-wash cold, lay flat to dry; fluff leaf tips with steam.
