Malabrigo Bethune Cape Knitting Pattern

Malabrigo Bethune Striped Capelet

What is Being Made

The Malabrigo Bethune is a striped capelet designed by Jacob Siefert. This garment is a lightweight, shoulder-covering piece sized for Small/Medium and Large/X-Large. The capelet features a tapered silhouette that widens at the lower edge, creating an elegant layering piece. The design measures 36 (39) inches around the lower edge and 28 (31¼) inches around the upper edge, with a depth of 19 inches. The elasticity of the knitted fabric allows substantial stretch to fit comfortably across the shoulders, as demonstrated in the finished photographs.

Techniques Used

The Bethune capelet is constructed using several key knitting techniques that contribute to its polished, professional appearance:

• Seamless, worked in the round: The capelet is knitted in continuous rounds using circular needles, eliminating the need for seaming and creating a smooth, finished construction.
• Bottom-up construction: The garment is worked from the lower edge upward toward the neckline, allowing the knitter to easily adjust the fit and length as needed.
• Striping: The design features alternating color stripes throughout, created by switching between yarn colors (Aniversario and Natural) at designated rounds. This creates visual interest and showcases the beautiful color palette of Caracol yarn.
• Strategic decreases: Decreases are worked at regular intervals using k2tog (knit two together) to shape the capelet from the wider lower edge to the narrower upper edge, creating the tapered silhouette.

Stitches Used

The Bethune capelet employs fundamental knitting stitches that create a refined finished fabric:

• Stockinette stitch: The primary stitch used throughout the capelet, worked in the round by knitting every round. This classic stitch creates a smooth, flat fabric with a refined appearance and allows the yarn color and striping to be the focal point of the design.
• Seed stitch pattern: Referenced in the pattern instructions, this textured stitch option adds versatility to the design.
• Knit two together (k2tog): Used strategically in decrease rounds to shape the capelet and create the tapered profile from lower to upper edge.

Materials

The Bethune capelet is crafted using Caracol by Malabrigo, a premium yarn blend. The project requires 2 hanks each of two colorways: #005 Aniversario and #063 Natural. Each hank weighs 5¼ ounces (150 grams) and contains approximately 90 yards (87 meters) of yarn. Caracol is composed of superwash merino and wool, creating a durable, easy-care fiber that is machine washable while maintaining the softness and elasticity characteristic of merino wool.

The pattern calls for circular needles in sizes 13 and 10mm (9mm) in a 24-inch (60cm) length, allowing the knitter to work the rounds comfortably. Additional notions include a stitch marker to track the beginning of each round and a tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends. The recommended gauge is 10 stitches and 17 rounds over 4 inches (10cm) in stockinette stitch after blocking, measured using the size 13 (9mm) needle.

Skill Level and Finishing

Rated as an Easy skill level project, the Bethune capelet is accessible to knitters with basic experience in working in the round and executing simple decreases. The finished measurements reflect the capelet after blocking and when laid flat. Blocking is recommended to achieve the stated gauge and measurements, which helps even out the stitches and set the fabric's final dimensions.