I designed this poncho for those of us who are a bit larger than the models in fashion magazines. If you are a bit 'paunchy' like me, this will be just the right size. If you're not, you can still enjoy the pattern using a smaller hook or by following the diagram at the end of the instructions for a better fit. If you have very narrow shoulders I also suggest following the instructions in the diagram.
Neck Pieces (make 2)
Chain 23
Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across (22 sc)
Row 2-5: ch 1, sc in each sc across. At the end of row 5 finish off
Shoulder Pieces (make 2)
Chain 26
Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across (25 sc)
Row 2: ch 1, sc in each sc across
Row 3: ch 1, sk 1 sc, 21 sc's, sk 1 sc, sc in last sc
Row 4: ch 1, sk 1 sc, 19 sc's, sk 1 sc, sc in last sc
Row 5: ch 1, sk 1 sc, 5 sc's, sk 1 sc, 5 sc's, sk 1 sc, 5 sc's, sk 1 sc, 2 sc's
Row 6: ch 1, sk 1 sc, 3 sc, (sk 1 sc, 3 sc) repeat 3 times, sk 1 sc, sc in last sc
Row 7: ch 1, (sk 1 sc, 2 sc) repeat 4 times
Row 8: ch 1, sk 1 sc, 3 sc, sk 1 sc, 2 sc, sk 1 sc, sc in last sc
Row 9: ch 1, sk 1 sc, 3 sc, sk 1 sc, sc in last sc
Row 10: ch 1, sk 1 sc, 1 sc, sk 1 sc, sc in last sc
Assembly
Tack neck pieces together according to the diagram. Attach shoulder pieces to the neck pieces, sewing along the entire seam, matching points A, B, and C as shown in the diagram.
Body
Row 1: insert hook into foundation row of one of the shoulders and sc in each st all the way around, working 10 sc's into the front and back neck areas. sl st to join
Row 2: *ch 3, sk 2 sc, sc in next sc. Repeat from * all the way around, sl st to join
Row 3-11: sl st in ch 3 sp, *ch 3, sc in next ch 3 sp. Repeat from * around, sl st to join
Row 12: sl st in next ch 3 sp, ch 1, 3 sc's in same sp, * sc in next sc, 3 sc's in next ch 3 sp. Repeat from * around, sl st to join
Row 13: ch 1, sc in same sp as sl st and in each sc around, sl st to join, finish off

Use this diagram to aid you in adapting the pattern to fit smaller sizes:
Abbreviations:
ch = chain
sk = skip
st = stitch
sc = single crochet
sl st = slip stitch