Swanky Crochet Kaftan

Dress up in this Swanky Crochet Kaftan that no one has ever seen before. It is similar to the style of a crochet poncho, except it is longer, more glamorous, and has a free-spirited feel. Go straight from the pool to evening dinner with this crochet kaftan from Red Heart that will sparkle and shine all night long. Be comfortable and stylish at the same time with this twist on a classic crochet shawl pattern that is just the right addition to your wardrobe.

Easy

Crochet HookK/10.5 or 6.5 mm hook

Yarn Weight(4) Medium Weight/Worsted Weight and Aran (16-20 stitches to 4 inches)

Crochet Gauge5 (esc, ch 2) pattern repeats = 4¾” (12 cm); 9 rows = 4” (10 cm) in pattern.

Finished SizeKaftan measures 52" (132 cm) long and 32" (81.5 cm) wide

Materials List

Red Heart Swanky: 9401 Sterling (3 balls)
Susan Bates Crochet Hook (K/10.5, 6.5 mm)
Yarn Needle

Special Stitch
extended single crochet (esc) = Insert hook in indicated stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and draw through one loop on hook, yarn over and draw through both loops on hook.

Notes

Kaftan is worked in one piece from side to side, back and forth in rows. The fabric is very stretchy, so finished measurements may vary.
The Kaftan does not begin with a traditional foundation chain. Instead, a series of ch-2 spaces are created. The stitches of the next row are worked into the ch-2 spaces.
Neck opening is formed slightly off center. Kaftan is designed to wear the “longer” section at the back, but can be worn with longer section at front, back, or side as desired.
Pattern stitch is reversible. There is no right or wrong side to this garment.

Pattern

KAFTAN
Row 1: [Ch 3, esc in 3rd ch from hook (the 2 skipped chains count as 1 ch-2 space)] 56 times—56 ch-2 spaces.
Row 2: Turn, slip st in first ch-2 space, ch 4 (counts as first esc, ch 2 here and throughout), esc in next ch-2 space, *ch 2, esc in next ch-2 space; repeat from * across—56 esc and 55 ch-2 spaces (55 pattern repeats).
Rows 3-32: Ch 4, turn, skip first ch-2 space, esc in next esc, * ch 2, skip next ch-2 space, esc in next esc; repeat from * to turning chspace, ch 2, esc in 2nd ch of turning ch.
Shape Neck
Row 33: Ch 4, turn, skip first ch-2 space, esc in next esc, [ch 2, skip next ch-2 space, esc in next esc] 18 times, ch 2, skip next ch-2 space, sc in next esc, [2 sc in next ch-2 space, sc in next esc] 8 times for neck edge, ch 2, [skip next ch-2 space, esc in next esc] 26 times, ch 2, esc in 2nd ch of turning ch—20 ch-2 spaces on one side of neck edge and 27 ch-2 spaces on other side of neck edge, 25 sc across neck edge.
Row 34: Ch 4, turn, skip first ch-2 space, esc in next esc, [ch 2, skip next ch-2 space, esc in next esc] 26 times (to beginning of neck edge), ch 2, sc in next 25 sc, [ch 2, skip next ch-2 space, esc in next esc] 19 times, ch 2, esc in 2nd ch of turning ch.
Row 35: Ch 4, turn, skip first ch-2 space, esc in next esc, [ch 2, skip next ch-2 space, esc in next esc] 18 times (to beginning of neck edge), sc in next 25 sc, [ch 2, skip next ch-2 space, esc in next esc] 26 times, ch 2, esc in 2nd ch of turning ch.
Row 36: Ch 4, turn, skip first ch-2 space, esc in next esc, [ch 2, skip next ch-2 space, esc in next esc] 26 times (to beginning of neck edge), ch 2, tr in first sc of neck edge, ch 23 somewhat loosely, skip next 23 sc, tr in last sc of neck edge, [ch 2, skip next ch-2 space, esc in next esc] 19 times, ch 2, esc in 2nd ch of turning ch.
Row 37: Ch 4, turn, skip first ch-2 space, esc in next esc, [ch 2, skip next ch-2 space, esc in next esc] 18 times, sc in next tr, sc in next 23 ch, sc in next tr, [ch 2, skip next ch-2 space, esc in next esc] 26 times, ch 2, esc in 2nd ch of turning ch.
Rows 38 and 39: Repeat Rows 34 and 35.
Row 40: Ch 4, turn, skip first ch-2 space, esc in next esc, [ch 2, skip next ch-2 space, esc in next esc] 26 times, esc in next sc, [ch 2, skip next 2 sc, esc in next sc] 8 times, [ch 2, skip next ch-2 space, esc in next esc] 19 times, ch 2, esc in 2nd ch of turning ch.
Rows 41–71: Ch 4, turn, *skip next ch-2 space, esc in next esc; repeat from * to turning ch-space, ch 2, esc in 2nd ch of turning ch.
Fasten off and weave in ends.

Diagram

Click image to enlarge

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Renee

Apr 11, 2019

I want to make this shawl, but I am not familiar with the abbreviation "esc". What does it mean and how do you make it?

EditorLP

Apr 18, 2019

Hi Renee, I'm sorry for the confusion. The abbreviation "esc" stands for extended single crochet. Here is the description of the special stitch: Insert hook in indicated stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and draw through one loop on hook, yarn over and draw through both loops on hook. I have also updated the pattern to include this information. I hope this helps! - Laura, editor of AllFreeCrochet

Seth

Nov 16, 2018

So beautiful and it seems lovely and cozy too. I have not previously used Red Heart Swanky yarn but it looks great in the above pic so I am looking forward to trying it. And now that I have Goooogled what 'esc' means I am good to go!

mulberrygalprinces s

Oct 08, 2018

I was all set to make this as a Christmas gift and then I read thru the directions. There are way too many mistakes that I would have to correct before I could complete it. It's a real shame since its so pretty. But I am sure I will find something else here to rep!ace it.

Hippie Chick

Feb 16, 2018

This easy Kaftan was created for Red Heart yarns by a very talented designer. Make sure to read all of the notes included before you begin to work this pattern as they are important to how your project will turn out. One plus for this Kaftan is that there is no right or wrong side to figure out.

achumley0003 31706 34

Aug 31, 2017

I wish I could pull off kaftans like this one, because I love the way it looks, but the loose, drapey fabric always make me feel as if I look pregnant. I think if I made it a little smaller and a different yarn it would be really cute on my daughter. But, I don't think she would want it to fit her as big and loose as the pattern makes it.

Tricia108

Apr 21, 2017

When you work in an office with the various temperatures this is the perfect pattern to add to your wardrobe. It is simple and elegant. You can make it up quickly in various colors and slip it on at work. The yarn noted in the pattern is perfect. I can't wait to make it. Thank you!

Lynn K

Apr 16, 2017

A friend was recently using this Red Heart Swanky yarn and I just fell in love with it so seeing this beautiful kaftan pattern to and it uses the same yarn is a huge double win for me, lol! Because I am a wrap, shawl, poncho addict I can see myself making more than one of these in different colors. Can not wait to wear them!

princess6860504

Feb 22, 2017

Wow. So pretty in the Red Heart Swanky yarn! I just love the open weave stitching used. It's a nice pattern, not too difficult to read. And the diagram really helps to lead the way. Sometimes I need that visual in order to really know what I am doing! This is a keeper. Would look so good thrown over my black leggings and a tunic.

Hippie Chick

Feb 13, 2017

This is a very beautiful kaftan. What is the difference between a kaftan, shawl, poncho, and wrap? Can they all be used interchangeably or do they each serve a different purpose or occasion or clothing style? I see lots of comments indicating errors with the pattern instruction. I am hesitant to start of a project like this.

Zeemer

Oct 19, 2016

This Swanky Crochet Kaftan is very chic. I like the way it lies flat on the shoulders without giving a sagging look gracefully extending to the cuffs. For this project you can use a shiny yarn or an ordinary yarn in the same color or in in any color of your choice. Thanks for this free pattern which is easy to understand with important diagrams.

SusanDF

Sep 04, 2016

the link below didn't work for me, but i found the Glamour kaftan pattern, however the corrected version is still wrong - rows 41 - 71 should have the same correction as rows 3-32 with a ch 2 between each esc.

lovemystorm 711484 6

Aug 18, 2016

http//www.redheart.com/files/patterns/pdf/LW4410co == rr.pdf Or search for Glamour Kafton by Red Heart

lovemystorm 711484 6

Aug 18, 2016

Yes, this pattern has errors as written above. Here is a link to the pattern with corrections! http//www.redheart.com/files/patterns/pdf/LW4410co == rr.pdf

AFC Editor Julia

Aug 19, 2016

Hi lovemystorm, Thanks for pointing out the errors to this pattern - I've not updated this page with the corrected pattern and the diagram. Thanks! Julia, editor for AllFreeCrochet

callmetaborri 0853 999

Aug 14, 2016

I don't understand row 3. to do skip to next ch-2 space, esc in next esc, repeat from , etc, starts turning the row into a circle! Are you sure there's not supposed to be a ch 2 between the esc?

pamlasilk 6022352

Nov 05, 2015

I know more than a year later...I did finish this project before Christmas last year. IT worked out in Row 33 by adding the 2sc like I wrote about in my previous post. It turned out beautiful!

donna 5926821

Apr 10, 2015

How do you sew this together?

Member 3821604

Jan 14, 2015

What does 'esc' in this pattern mean?

Zeemer

Oct 19, 2016

ESC means extended single crochet. The instructions on how to do the single crochet is incorporated in the pattern. Study it carefully and you will enjoy doing it in this Swanky Crochet Kaftan.

marykazmer 1360740

Nov 13, 2014

That at that says "you will not believe her transformation" is unbelievably annoying. The motion is so distracting that I couldn't even read the pattern, so I had to print it. On top of that, when I tried to post this, it wouldn't accept the password that I had chosen, and it gave me one that is next to impossible to remember. All this just for a crochet pattern.

pamlasilk 6022352

Sep 25, 2014

Row3: after chain 4, turn, *skip next ch-2 space,esc in next esc; repeat from *, I find this might be missing a step, reading forward to Row 33, it talks about (ch-2, skip next ch-2space, esc in next esc) this isn't possible because based on row 3 you haven't done 2-ch in between esc's. Has anyone else found this problem?

Fenderfluff

Sep 25, 2014

I added a ch2 after each ESC. This made it look like the picture but then row 33 doesn't make sense to me. Will work with it more in the morning and see if I can figure it out.

heath548 2270197

Apr 15, 2016

Just starting this. All is finally quiet in the house lol So in row 3 do I have to ch2 between my esc? I can't seem to find answers anywhere.

Loo Shrloo

Nov 17, 2014

I am adding ch2 after esp. But, Fenderfluff says it then does not work out in row 33 but would post later. DID IT WORK OUT? HOW? help!!!!

purpletilly

Jan 09, 2015

I too discovered this. I have added a chain 2 after the ESC in the ESC. If you don't add a ch-2 then you can't skip it in row 4.

angelskiss68 00515 95

Aug 19, 2014

Row 2: Turn, slip st in first ch-2 space - Are you referring to the very beginning of the ch-2 space...that is making a joining between the end and the beginning chain?

gecplc

Aug 15, 2014

What is "esc" I have not seen that before in my crocheting. Thank you

Jesse NC

Aug 18, 2014

Hello, It's a special stitch, as explained in the pattern: Special Stitch extended single crochet (esc) = Insert hook in indicated stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and draw through one loop on hook, yarn over and draw through both loops on hook