Berroco Washoe Cape Knitting Pattern

Berroco Washoe Knit Cape and Poncho

What Is Being Made

The Berroco Washoe is an intermediate-level knit cape and poncho designed by Amy Palmer. This garment measures approximately 36 inches wide by 60 inches long before blocking, with a finished worn length of about 30 inches. The Washoe is constructed using a modular geometric approach, combining triangular and rectangular sections to create a sophisticated layered silhouette suitable for varied styling.

Construction Techniques

The Washoe employs a seamed, worked flat construction method that builds the garment in distinct sections. The pattern uses a strategic modular approach where four corner triangles are created first, establishing the foundational structure. Side rectangles are then picked up along the straight side edges of the triangles and worked in garter stitch before being grafted to connect the second triangle. Center rectangles are subsequently picked up along the edges of both the triangles and side panels, then worked toward the center back where they are joined with a seam. This thoughtful construction method allows knitters to manage the garment's expanding stitch count and creates clean, professional finishing details.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The primary stitch pattern used throughout the Washoe is Garter Stitch, a fundamental knit stitch that creates a reversible, textured fabric with horizontal ridges. Garter stitch is formed by knitting every row, making it an accessible choice for intermediate knitters while producing a fabric with excellent drape and stability. The pattern incorporates several essential knitting techniques including knit front and back (kfb) increases to shape the corner triangles, pick up and knit methods to establish new working edges, and grafting (also called Kitchener stitch) to join live stitches seamlessly. These techniques combine to create a garment with refined construction details and minimal visible seaming.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Washoe is designed to be worked in Berroco Pixel, a yarn that comes in 100-gram balls. The pattern calls for 7 balls of yarn in colorway #2228 Vanilla, providing ample yardage for the full cape construction. Knitters work with a 36-inch circular needle in size 7 (4.50 mm), used to accommodate the large number of stitches as the garment expands, though the circular needle is not joined in the round—instead, the knitter works flat back and forth across the rows. A tapestry needle is required for grafting stitches and weaving in yarn ends. The recommended gauge is 21 stitches and 42 rows over 4 inches in garter stitch after blocking, making accurate gauge checking essential for achieving the correct finished measurements.