Classic Elite Yarns Claremont Cape Knitting Pattern

Classic Elite Yarns Claremont Capelet

What Is Being Made

The Claremont is a cropped capelet designed by Marion Hale, originally published in White Birch 1711. This garment is a versatile layering piece that can be worn buttoned or unbuttoned, with the opening positioned at either the side or center front. The capelet features an elegant silhouette created through strategic shaping and stitch pattern work.

Construction Method and Techniques

This capelet employs a top-down, seamless construction worked primarily in the round. The garment begins with the split collar, which is worked back and forth in rows on smaller needles. Once the collar reaches the desired length, the stitches are joined to form a circle, and the body is then completed working in the round on larger needles. This approach eliminates seaming and creates a smooth, continuous fabric from neckline to hem.

The design incorporates cable stitches and traveling stitches that intertwine across the fabric, creating visual interest and textural depth. These stitch movements are worked using cable needles to manipulate stitch placement, producing the characteristic twisted and crossed effects that define the garment's aesthetic.

Stitch Patterns and Details

The primary stitch pattern is 1 x 1 Rib, worked over an even number of stitches with the repeat alternating knit and purl stitches. The ribbed sections provide elasticity and structure throughout the garment.

• Collar section: Cast on 80 stitches and work 1 x 1 Rib for 4½ inches, ending with a wrong-side row
• Increase row (right-side): Strategic yarn overs and stitch expansions increase the stitch count from 80 to 88 stitches, creating shaping at the collar
• Joining round: Stitches are brought together to form a circle, with a purl stitch held on a cable needle used to transition from flat to circular knitting
• Body increases: Additional yarn overs worked into purl stitches increase the stitch count to 132 stitches for the body section
• Cable and traveling stitch motifs: These are worked using cable needle techniques, including variations such as slip 1 stitch to cable needle and holding in back or front, then working stitches in specific sequences to create crossed and twisted effects

The cable chart indicates a 40-round repeat section with multiple cable crossing variations, demonstrating the complexity and visual richness of the stitch pattern.

Materials and Needles

The pattern is designed to be worked with Classic Elite Yarns yarn. The construction requires two needle sizes—smaller needles for the collar ribbing and larger needles for the body sections. A cable needle is essential for executing the cable stitches and traveling stitch patterns. Stitch markers are used to denote the beginning of rounds and pattern repeats.

Skill Level

This capelet is suitable for knitters with intermediate experience, as it requires proficiency with cable stitches, working in the round, and managing stitch increases and pattern repeats.