Berroco Scarlet Sage Cape Knitting Pattern

Berroco Scarlet Sage Cape and Poncho

Project Overview

The Berroco Scarlet Sage is an intermediate-level knitted cape and poncho design from Berroco Booklet #340. This wearable accessory features finished measurements of approximately 27 inches wide by 20 inches long after seaming, making it a versatile layering piece suitable for various occasions and body types.

What Is Being Made

This pattern creates a knitted cape or poncho—a draped shoulder garment that combines elegance with practical wearability. The finished piece measures 27 inches in width and 20 inches in length, providing generous coverage while maintaining a refined silhouette. The design is constructed using flat knitting techniques and then seamed together to achieve its final form.

Knitting Techniques Used

The Scarlet Sage employs several intermediate knitting techniques to create visual interest and texture:

• Lace knitting forms the foundation of the design, incorporating openwork patterns that add airiness and elegance to the finished garment
• Seaming is used to join sections of the flat-knitted pieces, creating clean, professional edges
• Flat knitting is the primary construction method, allowing knitters to work back and forth on straight needles rather than in the round
• Cable and textural manipulation techniques appear throughout, including dropped stitches and cable-like constructions that add dimensional interest

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The pattern incorporates multiple stitch patterns to create its distinctive appearance:

• Honeycomb Stitch is one of the primary stitch patterns used, creating a textured, geometric appearance with excellent drape characteristics. This stitch is worked at a gauge of 18 stitches and 32 rows per 4 inches
• Floating Hexagon Pattern provides additional textural variation, worked at a gauge of 24 stitches and 33 rows per 4 inches, creating hexagonal openwork elements
• Yarn overs (yo) and decreases (k2tog, SSK) are used throughout to create lace elements and shaping
• Dropped stitch techniques and slipped stitch manipulations create cable-like effects without traditional cable needles, adding visual complexity and texture
• Double yarn overs create larger openings in the lace patterns, contributing to the garment's breathable, elegant aesthetic

Materials and Tools Required

The Scarlet Sage pattern calls for specific materials to achieve the intended gauge and drape:

• Yarn: 9 hanks of Berroco Maya in colorway #5635 Tierra (each hank weighs 50 grams), providing approximately 450 grams of yarn total for the completed project
• Needles: One 29-inch length circular knitting needle in size 9 (5.50 mm), or the size needed to obtain proper gauge. The circular needle accommodates the width of the flat-knitted pieces
• Gauge: Achieving the correct gauge is essential for proper fit and drape. The pattern specifies 18 stitches and 32 rows per 4 inches when working Honeycomb Stitch, and 24 stitches and 33 rows per 4 inches when working Floating Hexagon Pattern

Yarn Characteristics

Berroco Maya is the specified yarn for this project, selected for its specific weight, texture, and drape properties that complement the lace and textural stitch patterns. The yarn choice directly influences how the Honeycomb and Floating Hexagon patterns display and how the finished cape drapes on the wearer.

Skill Level and Gauge Importance

This pattern is rated as intermediate difficulty, appropriate for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to tackle more complex stitch patterns and techniques. The pattern emphasizes the importance of checking gauge before beginning, as variations in gauge will significantly affect the final measurements and overall appearance of the finished cape.