Cape Knitting Pattern

Lion Brand Homespun Cape Knitting Pattern

Project Overview

This free knitting pattern from Lion Brand creates a beautiful fall cape, perfect for adding warmth and style during the first chill of autumn. The cape is designed as a one-size garment with a finished width of 49 inches from edge to edge and a total length of 32 inches, including a 5-inch garter stitch border. The pattern is classified as Easy (Level 2) skill level, making it accessible to knitters with some basic experience.

What Is Being Made

The Lion Brand Homespun Cape (Pattern Number 40464-K) is a wearable knit garment designed as a cloak-style cape. The finished cape measures 49 inches wide and 32 inches long, with the length consisting of 27 inches of main body fabric plus a 5-inch decorative garter stitch border. This versatile piece is ideal for layering during transitional seasons and can be fastened with an optional hook and eye closure.

Knitting Techniques Used

The cape construction employs several fundamental knitting techniques. The pattern features a garter stitch border that frames the edges, providing structure and a decorative finish. The main body of the cape is worked in stockinette stitch with garter stitch borders maintained along the sides. Strategic increase stitches are incorporated throughout the pattern to shape the cape and create its flowing silhouette. Increases are worked on right-side rows at regular intervals, with the garter stitch borders remaining constant while increases occur in the stockinette stitch sections between them.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The primary stitches used in this cape pattern are:

• Stockinette Stitch (St st): The main stitch used for the body of the cape, creating a smooth, flat fabric with a knit side and purl side
• Garter Stitch: Used for the 5-inch border and side edges, providing a textured, reversible finish that prevents curling
• Increase Stitches (inc 1 st): Used strategically to shape the cape and increase stitch count as the garment widens
• Knit and Purl: Basic stitches that form the foundation of both the stockinette and garter stitch sections

Materials and Yarn

The pattern calls for Lion Brand Homespun yarn (Article #790) in the Baroque colorway. This yarn is composed of 98% acrylic and 2% polyester, offering durability and easy care. The yarn is supplied in 6-ounce pull skeins, with each skein containing 185 yards of yardage. The pattern requires 5 balls of Homespun yarn to complete the cape.

Needles and Tools

The cape is worked on Lion Brand Size 10.5 (6.5 mm) circular knitting needles measuring 29 inches (75 cm). Circular needles are used for this project, allowing the knitter to work the wide cape comfortably without straining. An optional hook and eye closure may be added to fasten the cape at the front, though this is not required.

Gauge Information

The pattern specifies a gauge of 12 stitches and 18 rows equals 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch using size 10.5 (6.5 mm) needles. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for the cape to reach the intended finished dimensions and for the yardage to be sufficient. Knitters should create a gauge swatch before beginning the project. If the swatch produces fewer stitches and rows than specified, smaller needles should be used; conversely, if more stitches and rows are produced, larger needles are recommended.

Pattern Construction Details

The cape begins with a cast-on of 86 stitches and features a garter stitch border section worked over multiple rows. The initial border section includes increase rows worked on the right side, with 15 stitches of garter stitch maintained on each side while increases occur in the center. This increase sequence is repeated to build the stitch count to 106 stitches, at which point the piece measures approximately 5 inches from the cast-on row. The cape body then transitions to stockinette stitch with garter stitch borders, continuing the increase pattern to shape the flowing silhouette of the finished garment.