- 1). Crochet a 4-by-4-inch swatch of yarn to figure out how many stitches you'll need. Measure the swatch to make sure it's accurate, then measure out an inch and count how many stitches are in it. Multiply this number by 20 to make a rectangle 20 inches wide.
- 2). Chain as many times as you need stitches. When you get to the end, chain one extra if you are using a single crochet stitch, two for double crochet, and three if you are using the treble crochet stitch. Insert your hook into the last chain of the base and begin working across in rows.
- 3). Continue with the rectangle until it is 48- to 52-inches long. You can switch colors or yarn styles while you work, but the new yarn must be of a similar gauge to the yarn you originally used for your measurements.
- 4). Lay your rectangle out flat. Fold the short right end of the rectangle upwards so that it meets the long edge at the top left corner. Sew these edges together using a yarn needle.
- 5). Add a fringe to your shawl if you want one. For a simple, scarf-style fringe cut three 8-inch pieces of yarn for each end stitch on the poncho shawl. Fold these in half and use your crochet hook to pull them partway through the end stitch. Insert the ends of the yarn through the loop created and pull them tight.
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