Rowan Christie Cape Knitting Pattern

Rowan Christie Cape by Marie Wallin

What is Being Made

The Rowan Christie is a knitted cape designed by Marie Wallin, available in three sizes to fit bust measurements of 81-97 cm (S-M), 102-117 cm (L-XL), and 122-127 cm (XXL). This garment combines a structured body with decorative cable detailing at the neckline, creating an elegant layering piece.

Construction Method

The cape is worked flat on circular needles and features a seamed construction. The back and front sections are knitted in one continuous piece, beginning at the front hem edge. The body is worked in stockinette stitch across all stitches for 181-193 rows depending on size, followed by an outer border knitted in rounds around the entire perimeter. A separate neck trim featuring cable patterning is knitted independently and then joined to the main body.

Techniques Used

This pattern employs cable knitting as its primary decorative technique. The neck trim features two cable crosses: C8B (cable 8 back) and C8F (cable 8 front), which involve slipping stitches onto a cable needle and crossing them over active stitches to create the characteristic twisted rope effect. The cable pattern repeats every 8 rows across 18 stitches, creating a sophisticated textured trim measuring approximately 54-61 cm depending on size. The main body utilizes straightforward stockinette stitch construction, allowing the cable detailing to serve as the focal point.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette Stitch (st st): The primary stitch used throughout the body of the cape, creating a smooth, classic fabric
• Cable 8 Back (C8B): Slip 4 stitches onto cable needle and hold at back of work, knit 4 stitches, then knit the 4 stitches from the cable needle
• Cable 8 Front (C8F): Slip 4 stitches onto cable needle and hold at front of work, knit 4 stitches, then knit the 4 stitches from the cable needle
• Purl Stitch: Used in the neck trim pattern for texture contrast
• Garter Stitch Elements: The neck trim incorporates knit and purl combinations to frame the cable pattern

Materials

The Rowan Christie is knitted using Rowan Pure Wool Worsted yarn in the photographed colorway of Chestnut 107. Yardage requirements are 11 x 100gm balls for size S-M, 13 x 100gm balls for size L-XL, and 14 x 100gm balls for size XXL.

Needles required include one pair of 4½mm (US 7) needles for the neck trim, one 4½mm (US 7) circular needle at least 120 cm long for the main body, five 3¾mm (US 5) circular needles each at least 120 cm long, and one cable needle for executing the cable crosses.

Gauge and Finishing

The pattern is designed to achieve a tension of 20 stitches and 25 rows over 10 cm measured in stockinette stitch using 4½mm (US 7) needles. Accurate gauge is essential for achieving the correct finished dimensions. The cape is completed by casting off all stitches after the outer border rounds are worked.