Cabled Capelet Knitting Pattern

Cabled Capelet in Plymouth Yarn De Aire

What Is Being Made

This is a cabled capelet designed to fit an average woman, measuring approximately 10½ inches long and 46 inches wide. A capelet is a short, cape-like garment that drapes over the shoulders and upper back, providing elegant layering without the bulk of a full cape. This particular design features decorative cable patterns worked into the fabric and is finished with a button closure.

Techniques Used

The Cabled Capelet employs several fundamental knitting techniques to create its structured, textured appearance:

• Garter stitch forms the foundation and border of the capelet, creating a ridged, reversible fabric that provides stability and a finished edge
• Cable stitches are the primary decorative element, created by slipping stitches onto a cable needle and crossing them over other stitches to form twisted, rope-like patterns
• Decreasing is used strategically to shape the capelet, including techniques such as knit two together (k2tog) and slip, slip, knit (ssk) to reduce stitch count and create shaping
• Stitch markers help maintain pattern placement and structure throughout the rows
• Buttonhole construction is incorporated into the finishing rows to allow for button closure
• Blocking is performed after completion to set the stitches and achieve proper drape

Stitches Used

The pattern utilizes a focused selection of essential knitting stitches:

• Knit (k) – the basic stitch forming the foundation of the fabric
• Purl (p) – used to create texture and contrast within the pattern rows
• Cable 4 Front (C4F) – slip 2 stitches to cable needle and hold to front, knit 2 stitches, then knit 2 stitches from cable needle, creating a cable that twists to the front
• Cable 4 Back (C4B) – slip 2 stitches to cable needle and hold to back, knit 2 stitches, then knit 2 stitches from cable needle, creating a cable that twists to the back
• Knit two together (k2tog) – a right-leaning decrease used for shaping
• Knit two together through back loop (k2togtbl) – a left-leaning decrease for symmetrical shaping
• Slip, slip, knit (ssk) – a left-leaning decrease that creates a neat, balanced appearance
• Slip stitch (sl) – used to move stitches without working them, particularly for slipping markers

Materials

The Cabled Capelet is designed to be worked in Plymouth Yarn De Aire, a lightweight yarn that creates an airy, elegant fabric suitable for layering pieces. The pattern requires 2 skeins of 100 grams each in color 1106, providing sufficient yardage for the full capelet.

Needles and notions: The project is worked on US size 15 knitting needles, which are appropriately sized to the yarn weight and create the specified gauge. Additional supplies include a cable needle for manipulating cable stitches, 2 stitch markers to track pattern sections, and 1 button for the closure.

Gauge: The pattern specifies a gauge of 9 stitches and 13 rows equaling 4 inches in stockinette stitch on size 15 needles, with garter stitch gauge measuring 2.75 stitches per inch on the same needle size. Achieving proper gauge is essential for the capelet to fit correctly and drape as intended.