Berroco Madelia Cape Knitting Pattern

Berroco Madelia Capelet: Knitted Construction and Design

What Is Being Made

The Berroco Madelia is an intermediate-level knitted capelet designed by the Berroco Design Team. This garment is a versatile layering piece that drapes from the shoulders, offering eight size options with neck circumferences ranging from 24 inches to 30 inches and bottom circumferences from 46 inches to 67 inches. The capelet features a flattering A-line silhouette with lengths between 15 and 18 inches, making it suitable for various body types and styling preferences.

Techniques Used in Construction

The Madelia capelet employs a bottom-up construction method, meaning knitters begin at the lower edge and work upward toward the neckline. The garment is worked flat on circular needles rather than in the round, and consists of two separate pieces—a front and back section—that are later seamed together. This modular approach allows for easier shaping and more precise fit adjustments throughout the knitting process. The flat construction also simplifies the decreasing shaping required to create the capelet's characteristic tapered silhouette.

Stitches and Pattern Details

The primary stitch pattern used throughout the Madelia is a two-row repeat known as the Pattern Stitch, which creates visual texture and interest. The pattern operates on a multiple of 2 stitches, alternating between a knit row on the right side and a more complex row featuring yarn-forward slipped stitches. Specifically, the second row of the pattern includes the technique of slipping stitches with yarn in front, then bringing the yarn to the back before slipping the same stitches back to the left needle and knitting them. This creates a subtle slip-stitch texture that adds depth to the fabric.

Shaping is achieved through knit two together (k2tog) decreases worked strategically on the right side rows. The decrease sequence is carefully planned, with decreases occurring every 4th row for a set number of times, followed by decreases on every right-side row to create the final tapered shape at the neckline. This graduated decrease method ensures smooth, even shaping that maintains the integrity of the pattern stitch throughout the garment.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Madelia capelet is designed to be worked with Berroco Millefiori Light Luxe yarn, a luxurious fiber option offered in 100-gram balls. The pattern calls for 2 to 3 balls depending on the size selected, with the sample shown knitted in the colorway #8849 Tutti Frutti. This yarn weight and fiber blend create a fabric with excellent drape suitable for a capelet silhouette.

Construction requires a 32-inch circular needle in size 5 (3.75 mm), which accommodates the cast-on stitch counts ranging from 150 to 218 stitches depending on the chosen size. The circular needle format allows for comfortable handling of the wide fabric sections even though the piece is worked flat rather than in the round. A single stitch marker is needed for pattern tracking during construction.

Gauge and Finishing

Achieving the correct gauge is essential for proper fit. The pattern specifies a gauge of 26 stitches and 32 rows over 4 inches in the Pattern Stitch. Knitters are strongly advised to knit a gauge swatch before beginning the project to ensure their finished capelet matches the intended measurements. After the two pieces are completed, they are seamed together at the sides to create the finished garment, with the neckline edges meeting to form the collar opening.