Cinca Cape Knitting Pattern

Cinca Cape in Berroco Mantra

What is Being Made

The Cinca is a knitted capelet designed by Amy Christoffers from Berroco Booklet #404. This intermediate-level garment is a decorative shoulder piece that drapes elegantly from the neck. The capelet features three finished sizes with neck edges measuring 20, 22, or 23 inches, lower edges ranging from 45¾ to 52¼ inches, and a consistent length of 14 inches across all sizes. The design creates a flattering, flowing silhouette suitable for layering over other garments.

Techniques Used

The Cinca capelet is worked from the bottom up in the round using circular needles, which allows for seamless construction and continuous circular knitting. The pattern begins with a cast-on edge and progresses upward with strategic decreases and yarn overs that create the distinctive shaping. The garment transitions from stockinette stitch to a more complex lace pattern featuring repeated motifs worked across multiple rounds. Knitters will need to change between two different circular needle sizes during construction—starting with a longer 29-inch needle and switching to a shorter 16-inch needle as stitch counts decrease and the piece becomes smaller in circumference. This technique ensures comfortable knitting as the fabric narrows.

Stitches Used

The Cinca employs several fundamental and intermediate knitting stitches. Stockinette stitch forms the base fabric and provides a smooth, classic foundation. The pattern incorporates knit two together (k2tog) and slip, slip, knit (SSK) decreases that shape the capelet and create visual definition. Yarn overs (yo) are used extensively to form decorative eyelets and lace elements throughout the design. Purl stitches create textural contrast and serve as stitch markers within the repeating pattern sequences. The combination of these stitches produces an elegant lace pattern that repeats 14 to 16 times around the circumference depending on the chosen size.

Materials

This project requires Berroco Mantra yarn in the colorway Willow (#4406). The yarn is a worsted-weight option sold in 50-gram balls, and the pattern calls for 3 balls total regardless of which size is being knitted. Needles required include a 29-inch circular needle in size 6 (4.00 mm) for the initial cast-on and main body work, and 16-inch circular needles in both size 4 (3.50 mm) and size 6 (4.00 mm) for later stages of the pattern. A single stitch marker is needed to denote the beginning of each round. The recommended gauge is 22 stitches and 32 rounds over 4 inches in stockinette stitch on the larger needle, making accurate gauge checking essential for proper fit and finished measurements.