Azufral Cape Knitting Pattern

Azufral Cape in Berroco Mykonos

What Is Being Made

The Azufral Cape is an intermediate-level knitted capelet designed by Donna Yacino. This garment is a structured shoulder piece that drapes elegantly from the neckline. The finished capelet features three size options with a neck circumference of 24", 27", or 30", a bottom circumference ranging from 46" to 52", and a length of 15", 16", or 17" depending on the chosen size. The capelet is shown in the largest size (46" bottom circumference) in the color Selene.

Construction Method

The Azufral Cape is worked flat in two separate pieces—a back and a front section—rather than being worked in the round. Each piece is constructed from the bottom up, beginning with a cast-on at the lower edge and progressing upward toward the neckline. The two pieces are then sewn together at the side seams during finishing to create the complete capelet shape.

Techniques and Shaping

This intermediate project employs strategic decreasing to create the capelet's fitted silhouette. After working an initial section even in pattern stitch for 2", 3", or 4" depending on size, a decrease row is worked on the right side. This decrease row removes 4 stitches total—2 stitches decreased at each side edge using knit-together decreases. The decrease row is then repeated every 4 rows for a total of 15 repetitions, gradually reducing the stitch count from the initial cast-on of 126, 134, or 142 stitches down to a final 66, 74, or 82 stitches at the neckline. This systematic shaping creates a graceful taper from the wider lower edge to the fitted neckline.

Stitch Pattern

The Azufral Cape features a two-row pattern stitch that creates visual texture and interest throughout the garment. The pattern stitch operates on a multiple of 2 stitches and is worked as follows: Row 1 (right side) is a simple knit row. Row 2 (wrong side) begins and ends with a knit stitch, with the center stitches worked as follows: yarn is brought to the front of the work, 2 stitches are slipped, yarn is brought to the back, those same 2 stitches are slipped back to the left-hand needle, and then those 2 stitches are knitted. This sequence is repeated across the row. These 2 rows are repeated continuously to create the pattern stitch texture. The gauge for this pattern stitch is 22 stitches and 28 rows over 4 inches when worked on the specified needles.

Materials and Tools

The Azufral Cape is knitted using Berroco Mykonos yarn in the color Selene (#8502). Berroco Mykonos is a worsted-weight yarn sold in 50-gram hanks. The pattern requires 4, 4, or 5 hanks depending on the size selected. Knitting is worked on a 24-inch circular needle in size 5 (3.75 mm), or whatever needle size is necessary to obtain the correct gauge. A single stitch marker is used during construction to help track pattern repeats or shaping rows as needed.

Finishing

Once both the back and front pieces are completed and bound off, the capelet is finished by sewing the side seams together to join the two pieces. All yarn ends are woven in securely, and the finished capelet is blocked as desired to even out the stitches and set the fabric shape.