Lang Cape with Collar Accessory Knitting Pattern

Lang Cape with Collar – Knitted Accessory Pattern

What Is Being Made

The Lang Cape with Collar is a knitted accessory designed as a versatile layering piece featuring an attached collar. This pattern is available in two sizes: S–M with a bust measurement of 33¼ inches (84 cm), and L–XL with a bust measurement of 39¼ inches (100 cm). The finished length is 21¼ inches (54 cm), making it a sophisticated short cape suitable for adding warmth and style to various outfits. The design includes an integrated neckband that extends into a substantial ribbed collar measuring 9½ inches (24 cm) in depth.

Techniques Used

This cape is constructed using a bottom-up building method, meaning the garment is worked from the lower edge upward toward the shoulders and neckline. The pattern employs seamed construction, with shoulder seams sewn together after the individual pieces are completed, while the side seams are intentionally left open to create the flowing cape silhouette. The cape is worked flat on straight needles and a short circular needle, rather than being worked in the round for most of the garment. This flat-working approach provides greater control over shaping and allows for easier manipulation of the fabric during construction.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch throughout this pattern is Ribbed Stitch (Rib St), which creates an elastic, textured fabric with excellent recovery and drape. The ribbed stitch is worked differently depending on the construction method:

• Flat Ribbed Stitch: Worked on US 10 (6mm) needles with an odd number of stitches. On right-side rows, the pattern alternates knit and purl stitches, beginning and ending with a knit stitch (*K1, p1; repeat from * to last st, k1). On wrong-side rows, the pattern reverses to maintain the rib appearance (*P1, k1; repeat from * to last st, p1). Rows 1 and 2 are repeated throughout the flat sections.
• Ribbed Stitch in the Round: Used for the neckband, where stitches are worked continuously in a circular manner. Each round alternates knit and purl stitches (K1, p1) around the entire circumference. This in-the-round ribbing is repeated until the collar reaches the desired 9½-inch (24 cm) depth.

Materials and Tools

The cape is knitted with LANGYARNS CLOUD, an extra-fine merino yarn that is mulesing-free and blended with nylon for durability and elasticity. The pattern requires 300 grams (approximately ¾ ball) for size S–M or 400 grams for size L–XL in the colorway brass-pale blue-olive 1077.0001. Knitting needles required include ADDI needles in size US 10 (6mm) for the main fabric, along with one short circular needle in the same size US 10 (6mm) gauge for picking up and working the neckband stitches in the round.

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern is worked at a gauge of 18 stitches and 22 rows equaling 4 inches (10 cm) in Ribbed Stitch on US 10 (6mm) needles. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for obtaining the proper finished measurements and ensuring the cape drapes as intended.

Construction Overview

The cape begins with casting on 77 stitches for size S–M or 91 stitches for size L–XL at the back edge. The back and front pieces are worked separately in flat rows using the ribbed stitch pattern. Shaping occurs at the shoulders through strategic bind-offs: the left side involves binding off 4 stitches at the beginning of a wrong-side row, followed by binding off 2 stitches at the beginning of the next 2 wrong-side rows, and finally binding off 1 stitch at the beginning of the next 2 wrong-side rows. Shoulder shaping is completed by binding off 6–7 stitches (depending on size) at the beginning of right-side rows, with a total of three bind-off sequences to create the sloped shoulder line. Once the front and back pieces are complete, the shoulder seams are sewn together, while the side seams remain open to preserve the cape's flowing aesthetic. The neckband is finished by picking up 92 stitches for size S–M or 100 stitches for size L–XL around the neck opening using the circular needle. After