November Wrap Cape Knitting Pattern

November Wrap by Lisa Richardson in Rowan Four Seasons

What is Being Made

The November Wrap is an elegant knitted wrap designed by Lisa Richardson, measuring 56 cm (22 inches) wide and 120 cm (47 inches) long. This versatile accessory is crafted as a rectangular piece that fastens with eight wooden buttons, making it a sophisticated layering piece suitable for autumn and winter wear. The wrap is photographed in the Twilight colorway (008) of Rowan Four Seasons yarn.

Techniques Used

This intermediate-level knitting project employs a decorative slipped stitch technique that creates an openwork pattern ideal for button fastening. The pattern uses a repeating two-row sequence that generates natural "holes" throughout the fabric, which serve as buttonholes for the wrap's closure system. The construction method involves casting on stitches, working in pattern until the desired length is achieved, then casting off. Button attachment is positioned strategically, with the first button placed 2 cm up from the cast-on edge and 2 cm in from the end of right-side rows, with the remaining six buttons spaced evenly across a 51 cm span.

Stitches Used

• Knit stitch (K): Forms the selvage edges and structural foundation of the wrap
• Purl stitch (P): Creates texture in the center of each row
• Yarn forward (yfwd): Generates the decorative openwork holes throughout the pattern
• Slip stitch (sl 1): Works in combination with knit stitches to create the characteristic lace-like pattern
• Lift slipped stitch over (lift the slipped st over the last 2 K sts): A decrease technique that forms the visual interest of the pattern repeat

Pattern Structure

The November Wrap works from a foundation of 92 cast-on stitches. The pattern repeats over two rows: Row 1 (right side) begins with K1, then repeats a sequence of yarn forward, slip one stitch, knit two stitches, and lifting the slipped stitch over the last two knit stitches until the final stitch, which is knitted. Row 2 (wrong side) is worked as K1, purl 90 stitches, K1. These two rows form the complete pattern, which is continued until the wrap reaches 120 cm in length.

Materials Required

The November Wrap requires Rowan Four Seasons yarn, with the pattern using one 50-gram ball for the photographed sample. Knitting needles are 6mm (US 10) size, requiring one pair for this project. Eight wooden buttons measuring 3 cm are needed for fastening the wrap. The tension is worked at 16½ stitches and 25 rows to 10 cm when measured over the pattern using 6mm needles, which is essential to achieve the correct finished dimensions.

Finishing and Assembly

After casting off, the completed wrap should be pressed according to standard knitting finishing techniques. The eight wooden buttons are then attached using the natural buttonholes created by the openwork pattern. The wrap is fastened by threading through these pattern-generated holes, creating a functional and decorative closure system that showcases the delicate lace-like quality of the knitted fabric.