Berroco Aniene Cape Knitting Pattern

Berroco Aniene Seamless Knit Cape and Poncho

What is Being Made

The Aniene is a versatile knit cape and poncho designed by Amy Christoffers, featured in Berroco Booklet #406. This garment is crafted as a seamless, top-down construction suitable for easy-level knitters. The piece offers finished collar measurements ranging from 20 inches for size XS/S up to 29 inches for size 1X/2X, with a consistent length of 23 inches across all sizes. The design features significant stretch, making it a comfortable, flexible layering piece.

Techniques Used

The Aniene employs several key knitting techniques that make it an excellent project for developing foundational skills:

• Seamless construction: The entire garment is worked without seams, creating a smooth, professional finish
• Top-down approach: Knitting begins at the collar and progresses downward, allowing for easy fit adjustments and intuitive sizing
• Worked in the round: Using circular needles, the piece is knitted continuously in circular rows, eliminating the need for seaming and ensuring even fabric development
• Gradient yarn management: To maintain color continuity, two or three cakes of yarn are alternated every round, with unused yarns carried up the beginning and end of round
• Kitchener stitch finishing: The pattern includes detailed instructions for binding off using the Kitchener stitch, a technique that creates an invisible, elastic closure

Stitches Used

The Aniene is primarily constructed using knit and purl ribbing (k1, p1), a fundamental stitch pattern that creates vertical texture and elasticity. This ribbing is worked on the larger needle and provides both visual interest and functional stretch to the garment. The ribbed construction contributes to the piece's flexibility and helps it conform comfortably to the wearer.

Materials: Yarn, Needles, and Notions

Yarn: The pattern calls for Berroco Estiva, a yarn weight requiring 2 to 3 cakes (150 grams each) depending on size. The sample shown uses colorway #2620 Fuchsia. Berroco Estiva is selected for its specific drape and stretch characteristics that enhance the cape's comfortable fit.

Needles: The project requires two sizes of 24-inch circular needles: size 9 (5.50 mm) for the collar ribbing and size 10 (6.00 mm) for the main body. Circular needles are essential for working in the round and managing the increasing stitches as the poncho expands.

Notions: Four stitch markers are needed to track pattern repeats and the beginning of each round, with one marker in a contrasting color to clearly identify the round start.

Gauge and Finishing

Achieving the correct gauge is essential for this project: 21 stitches and 26 rounds should measure 4 inches in k1, p1 ribbing on the larger needle when measured unstretched. The pattern emphasizes checking gauge before beginning to ensure accurate finished measurements. Once complete, all yarn ends are woven in and the piece is blocked as desired to set the stitches and enhance the final drape.