Free Knitting Pattern: Simple & Squishy Crop Top Poncho Sweater
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
Looking for a lightweight knitting pattern that’s stylish, simple and perfect for warmer weather? This free crop top poncho sweater knitting pattern is everything you need for your spring and summer wardrobe. It’s beginner-friendly, knit with DK weight yarn and features the ultra-satisfying ridge stitch for a plush, squishy texture that feels as good as it looks.
Why You’ll Love This Poncho Sweater
- Beginner Friendly – A great knitting pattern for new knitters. If you can knit and purl, you can make this!
- Minimalist Construction – Knit two rectangles and use four short seams to shape the neck, armholes and body. No shaping required.
- Breathable Texture – The ridge stitch gives it a handcrafted feel while remaining lightweight and wearable.
- On-Trend Style – With its cropped silhouette and boat neckline, this top pairs beautifully with high-waisted jeans or flowy summer skirts.
- Perfect for Spring & Summer – Knit in DK weight yarn, it’s ideal for layering on breezy mornings or cool summer evenings.
Great For:
- Quick weekend project knitting
- Warm-weather knitting
- Handmade summer outfits
- Gift knitting for teens
About the Pattern
This easy poncho-style top is constructed with just two rectangles. Seam the shoulders and sides to create armholes and a neck opening. The result? A modern, boxy hand-knit crop top with a relaxed, poncho-inspired fit.
Available Sizes: 7 (XS – 3XL)
Pattern Format: Written Pattern, No Chart
Pattern Language: English
Skill Level: Beginner
PDF Format: Printer-Friendly
Pattern Name: Thundercloud
Techniques
Before you cast-on, here’s a few simple tips to help your project go smoothly.
Knit Flat
Knit & Purl Stitches
Sew Seams
Yarn & Substitutions
Yarn Weight: DK
Yardage: 320 – 1344 yards (293 – 1229 meters)
Suggested Yarn: Plymouth Yarn DK Merino Superwash Yarn, Navy 1111
Substitution Yarns:
Check out Yarnsub’s for more yarn substitutions.
Needles & Notions
US 11 (8mm) Circular Needles with a 24″ (60cm) Cable, or longer
Darning Needle or Tapestry Needle
Scissors
Garment Steamer
Gauge:
13 STS & 18 rows per 4” (10cm) square, knit in the ridge stitch
Model Details:
Height: 5’9″ (175cm), weight: 130lbs (59kg), bust: 35″ (88cm), waist: 25″ (63cm)
Details of the product in the photo:
# of CO stitches: 61
Measurements, after steaming: 13 x 19″ wide (33cm x 48cm)
Weight: 8oz (225g)
Size Chart
| Size | W” | x | L” | # of CO STS (width) | Skeins Needed | Meters Needed | Yards Needed |
| XS | 15 | x | 9 | 49 | 3 | 293 | 320 |
| S | 17 | x | 11 | 55 | 4 | 405 | 443 |
| M | 19 | x | 13 | 61 | 5 | 536 | 586 |
| L | 21 | x | 15 | 69 | 6 | 683 | 747 |
| XL | 23 | x | 17 | 75 | 8 | 848 | 927 |
| 2XL | 25 | x | 19 | 81 | 9 | 1030 | 1126 |
| 3XL | 27 | x | 21 | 87 | 11 | 1229 | 1344 |
Notes
Not reversible.
Knit top down.
Knit using the ridge stitch & rib stitch.
Knit holding 2 strands of yarn together throughout.
Knit 2 separate rectangles, top down and then seam together.
Knit flat, back & forth on circular needles, which are used to accommodate the large number of CO stitches, do not join in the round.
Knitting Abbreviations
*– * – repeat between the asterisks
BO – bind-off in pattern
CO – cast-on (long-tail cast-on method)
K – knit stitches (K1 means to knit 1 stitch)
P – purl stitches (P2 means to purl 2 stitches)
RS – right side
STS – stitches
WS – wrong side
Save it for Later
- Buy the ad-free, printer-friendly pattern in the Brome Fields Shop.
- Save it to your Ravelry Library!
- Pin-it to Pinterest for later.
Save this for later!
We'll email this page to you, so you can come back to it later!
No spam, ever. Unsubscribe at any time.
Download & Print this Pattern
Do you enjoy working from a paper copy? Get the downloadable, printer-friendly PDF completely ad-free.
That way you can have lifetime access to it and download it to any device and view it from anywhere, without ads (and the pattern might not be around forever).
Ready to Make One?
This lightweight knitted top is a fun and functional addition to any spring or summer handmade wardrobe. Whether you’re new to knitting or just looking for a relaxing project, this is the easy knitted crop top pattern you’ll want on your needles again and again.
Pattern Instructions
CO the desired number of STS from the Size Chart above.
Top Ribbing 1 1/2″/4cm:
Row 1, 3, 5 (WS): P1 *K1, P1*
Row 2, 4, 6 (RS): K1 *P1, K1*
Middle Body:
Row 7 (WS): purl all STS
Row 8 (RS): knit all STS
Row 9 (WS): knit all STS
Row 10 (RS): purl all STS
Repeat rows 7-10 according to the Size Chart above, minus 1 1/2″/4cm for the bottom ribbing, or until desired length.
To make it longer, repeat these 4 rows until you’ve reached your desired length.
Repeat rows 7-8.
Bottom Ribbing 1 1/2″/4cm:
Row 1, 3, 5 (WS): P1 *K1, P1*
Row 2, 4, 6 (RS): K1 *P1, K1*
Row 7 (WS): BO in pattern
Knit the 2nd side the same as the first.
The front and back are the same.
Steam-block lightly, which will add a little more length and soften the stitches for a relaxed drape.
Top Seams:
Put the wrong sides together.
Starting from the outside, seam the top seam, leaving a hole just large enough to fit your head through. Make sure the seams from the outside to the inside are the same measurement. Mine measures 19″/48cm wide and the hole width is 9″/23cm. Each top seam on either side of the head-hole measures about 5″/13cm wide.
Side Seams:
Starting from the bottom, seam each side using the mattress stitch, leaving a hole just large enough to fit your hand and arm through. My arm hole measures 6″/15cm.
Weave in the ends.
Conclusion:
Whether you’re looking to elevate your handmade wardrobe or dive into a relaxing, beginner-friendly project, this simple crop top poncho sweater is the perfect place to start. With its modern shape, soft texture and easy construction, you’ll want to knit one in every color! 💙
And don’t forget to share your finished poncho sweater on Instagram or Facebook with #BromeFieldsKnits, I’d love to see how you style yours!
