Down East Cape
In Down East Maine you are likely to need a little extra warmth around your shoulders pretty much any month of the year. Unlike a shawl, this quick to knit cape is shaped to fit neatly around your shoulders and stay in place – no fiddling or pins needed. Your yarn choice will determine if it is a cozy reading cape, a woolly topper for your winter coat, or maybe an elegant summer concert wrap. There are three different sizes to customize your fit – and a mitered square edge that is addictive to knit. Stash busting? Gifts? I bet you can’t make just one!
This pattern is appropriate for an advanced beginner knitter – and fun for all levels! Knitting begins by making connected garter stitch mitered squares. This is well explained in the pattern and there are links to a video for knitted cast-on and one for connecting the mitered squares. Stitches for the body are picked up along the edge to work towards the neck. There are a few short rows at the back of neck. The pattern is 4 pages long and has been fully test knit and professionally tech edited to be clear and free of errors.
Sizes:
XS/S (M/L, 1X/2X) to fit bust measurements in the vicinity of 35 (42, 48) in/ 89 (106.5, 122) cm. Size is very flexible! Shown in size M/L.
Finished Measurements:
Neck Circumference when buttoned: 15.75 (18.25, 21) in/ 40 (46.5, 53.5) cm
Bottom edge length: 48 (57, 65) in/ 122 (145, 165) cm.
Neck to CO edge length (at front of cape and including neckband): 15 (16, 17) in/ 38 (40.5, 43) cm. Cape works well at any length, but was designed to be about elbow length. Longer lengths will require more yardage.
Gauge:
18 sts and 36 rows/ 4 in/ 10 cm in garter stitch worked flat. A single mitered square measures 4 1/4 in/ 10.75 cm square.
What You Need:
614 (786, 957) yds / 561, (718, 875) m, approximately 10.75 (13.75, 16.75) oz/ 305 (390, 475) g of worsted weight yarn. Shown in Plymouth Encore Colorspun, 75% acrylic, 25% wool in color 7990 – “Raspberry Drift”. Requires 4 (4, 5) balls. *Note: You may be able to make the XS/S size with just under 3 balls.*
One pair of straight needles (or a 16 in/ 40 mm circular) in size required to obtain gauge. I used US #7/ 4.5 mm. You may need a size or two above or below that.
One 32 (40, 40) in/ 80 (100, 100) mm circular needle in same size as above.
3/4 in/ 2 cm buttons – I used 4, you could use fewer or more to your liking.
12 clip-on style stitch markers
Tapestry needle
Tech editing by Desert Rose.
Photography by J. D. Stylos.
Special thanks to my lovely model, Emily Knight.
This pattern can be purchased for $6.50 thru my secure Ravelry Store.
