Small Hooded Poncho Pattern – For Mid Season Layering

A small hooded poncho with kangaroo pockets and a hood?  Why?  Well even though it's summer down here in South America it can get cold!  Right now I'm on a farm in the middle of Chile, in a region called the “Cold Coast”, during the day it can get chilly, but at night it's downright cold.

The wind coming in from the sea brings along lots of mist and clouds, it's fast and makes my ears feel like they're freezing. It reminds me of Wellington, New Zealand or even San Francisco, California.  I look on and I realize that if you were to set sail from here, the next time you'd touch land would be all the way in New Zealand.  Not a very comforting thought if I was on a sailing boat.  But, thankfully I am on land, which also happens to be in the country's well-known wine region.  Hot days and cool nights make for some of the best wines this country can offer.

Chile has a climate that's a combination of the Mediterranean and California.  It's a very long strip of country, backed by the majestic Andes and the Pacific Ocean.  In the distance you can hear the startling cries of foxes, the night is still and the sky has exploded with a billion stars.  There are a lot of bad things happening in the world right now but this place really can make you forget it all.

Back to sewing. In my stash of fabric, I remember an interesting piece of fabric I purchased in Australia perhaps 5 years ago.  I think today is the perfect day to make use of it.

It is a Polar anti-pill fleece,  perfect for a short hooded poncho. It will be great for late Summer, Spring, and Autumn.

I made this small hooded poncho oval-shaped, as a perfect circle would make a wider poncho.  I dislike very wide ponchos due to the fact that I am vertically challenged, at 5'1″ tall a very wide poncho makes me feel like a folded taco.

There is a hood to keep your head warm should there be any wind or rain.  And Kangaroo pockets to keep the hands warm.  When I made mine I actually didn't make my small hooded poncho with the pockets, but that was because I didn't have enough of the same fabric. But I still show you have to put the pockets together in the last step, I recommend doing them as they'll look good and will be very handy.

Experience Level:  Beginner

Materials

• 1 1/2 yards of polar fleece, wool, or minky
• 1 yard 3mm cotton cord
• Thread to match
• 2 Pom Poms (Optional)

Tools

• Sewing machine
• Ball Point needle size 80
• Sharp scissors
• Sewing pins

Fabric Recommendations from Amazon

How To Download Your hooded poncho PDF Pattern

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Pattern Layout

Size	Chest	Length
S	34-36	25
M	38-40	26
L	42-44	27
XL	46-48	28
2XL	50-52	29

How To Sew The Small Hooded Poncho

This poncho is easy to sew because there is no fitting to be done.  The seam allowance is 3/8″.  The only thing you need to be careful with is that the sleeve or sides have a front and back.  Match the corresponding sides with the back and the front of the poncho.

There are eight seams in the whole project and you may or may not use a serger.  There are six pieces to sew; the front, the back two sides, a neck facing, and a hood.  I have decided to finish the seams open and flat just to show you how this type of finish would look on polar fleece.  It is not necessary to use a serger since polar fleece does not ravel.

Step One: Sewing The Neck Facing

Print sides together, place the facing on the right side of the front.

Sew the stitching line following the pattern.

Cut to the point but not through.  Make a small Y shape cut at the end so you can turn the facing easily.

Turn the fabric in and stitch around the opening 3/8″ from the edge.

Step Two:  Sewing The Sides And Back

Print sides together sew the sides making sure you follow the pattern to match the front and back sides correctly.  The side that joins the front and back is marked in your pattern.

Add the back piece to the rest of the poncho.

Step Three: Sewing The Hood

Sew the hood print sides together.  Sew following the red line.

Fold the side front edge of the hoodie 5/8″ and match both sides with the front neck opening.

Sew around the neckline.  Reduce the neckline seam allowance by cutting the hoodie side not the poncho.  This is done to reduce the bulk.

Fold and pin the seam allowance towards the poncho.  Place the cord at least 1/2″ from the edge then fold the seam allowance over the cord.  My cord has a pompom at the end.

(I will show you how to make your own later) but if you can't wait you can make a tassel or just add the cord by itself.

Three Ways to Make an Easy Tassel

Fold the seam allowance over the cord and sew around the neckline.  I have done it twice.

Fold and pin around the hood opening at 5/8″.

If you have never used one here is an easy tutorial to follow:

How to Use a Twin Needle

Step Four: Making The Hem

Fold the hem 5/8″ and sew either using a serger and sew two lines or a twin needle the stitching lines.

Step Five:  Sewing The Kangaroo Pocket

As you can see in my final picture I did not add the pocket because it would ruin the look of the small hooded poncho.  I would have added the pocket if I had enough fabric to match the print.

To be able to sew the pocket to the poncho all you have to do is fold the seam allowance 3/8″ starting at the curve or opening of the pocket, then the rest of the edges.

I'm ready to wear this small hooded poncho since Autumn is already creeping around the corner here.

Chile has been in the news lately and not for the best reasons, but join me in the next few months ahead when I will show you the spectacular natural beauty of Chile which is one of the best places in the world to find high-quality wool.

Until Next Time!  Don't forget to use the #soseweasy on Instagram so I can see how you have used the patterns.  This is perhaps my favorite thing to do, I enjoy looking at your pictures and seeing your fabric choices.

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