Rowan Kirby Cape Knitting Pattern

Rowan Kirby Cape by Martin Storey

What is Being Made

Rowan Kirby is a knitted cape designed by Martin Storey, available in five sizes to fit bust measurements from 81-86 cm up to 122-127 cm (32-34 inches to 48-50 inches). This is a seamed, flat-worked knitting project that creates a sophisticated layering piece suitable for various occasions.

Knitting Techniques Used

The Kirby cape employs several fundamental knitting techniques to achieve its structured silhouette:

• Bottom-up construction: The garment is worked from the lower edges upward, allowing for easy length adjustments during the knitting process
• Flat knitting: All pieces are worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, then seamed together at completion
• Decreasing techniques: Strategic decreases are worked throughout to shape the cape, including single decreases (slip 1, knit 1, pass slipped stitch over) and double decreases (knit 2 together) to create tapering at specific intervals
• Stitch marker placement: Markers are used to denote decrease points and help maintain pattern accuracy across multiple size variations
• Seaming: Individual pieces are joined together using seaming methods to create the finished garment

Stitches Used

The Kirby cape utilizes two primary stitch patterns:

• Garter stitch: Worked over the first 26 rows of both the back and left front pieces using 4mm needles, creating a textured, reversible fabric at the lower edge
• Stockinette stitch: The main body of the cape is worked in stockinette stitch (alternating knit and purl rows) using 4.5mm needles, creating a smooth, classic fabric that showcases the yarn's qualities

Materials and Gauge

The Rowan Kirby cape is designed to be worked in Rowan Super Fine Merino Aran yarn, a premium wool blend. The pattern requires 10 to 16 balls of 50-gram weight depending on size selection, with the sample photographed in the Lipstick 004 colorway. One large black button is required for fastening.

The project calls for two pairs of needles: 4mm (US 6) needles for the garter stitch borders and 4.5mm (US 7) needles for the main stockinette stitch body. The tension is established at 19 stitches and 25 rows to 10 centimeters measured over stockinette stitch using the 4.5mm needles, making accurate gauge swatching essential before beginning.

Construction Details

The cape is constructed in multiple pieces, beginning with the back panel and left front section. The left front features a marker-indicated decrease line that creates shaping, with decreases occurring at regular intervals (every 12th row, then 10th row, then 8th row, then 6th rows, and finally 4th rows depending on size). Shoulder shaping is accomplished through additional decreases worked at the shoulder edge, while front neck shaping involves casting off stitches at the neck edge combined with concurrent decreases at the shoulder edge. This multi-directional shaping creates the cape's elegant drape and fitted upper portion.