Rowan Soane Cape Knitting Pattern

Rowan Soane Cape and Poncho Pattern

What is Being Made

The Rowan Soane is a knitted cape or poncho designed by Vibe Ulrik. This garment is worked as a flat piece from the bottom up and features shaping through strategic decreases to create a fitted silhouette. The design is available in five sizes to fit bust measurements ranging from 81–86 cm (32–34 inches) up to 122–127 cm (48–50 inches), with actual garment measurements at the lower edge spanning from 92 cm to 156 cm (36 to 51½ inches).

Techniques Used

This knitting pattern employs several key construction techniques:

• Bottom-up construction: The garment is cast on and worked upward from the lower edge, allowing for easy fitting adjustments and a natural progression of the design.
• Worked flat: Rather than working in the round, the back and front pieces are knitted flat on straight needles, then seamed together during finishing.
• Cable work: The pattern incorporates cable stitches, specifically the C4B cable cross (slip next 2 stitches onto cable needle and leave at back of work, knit 2, then knit 2 from cable needle), which adds textural interest and dimension to the fabric.
• Lace elements: Lace techniques are integrated into the pattern repeat to create an openwork aesthetic that contributes to the cape's elegant drape.
• Seamed construction: Side seams are joined using backstitch or mattress stitch, with one seam left partially open for the first 20–23 cm to allow for wearing ease and movement.
• Strategic shaping: The garment features decreases worked at regular intervals (every 8th row, then 6th rows, then 4th rows) at each end to taper the silhouette from the lower edge upward.

Stitches Used

The Rowan Soane pattern utilizes a combination of fundamental and decorative stitches:

• Ribbing: A knit-one, purl-one (K1, P1) rib is worked at the cast-on edge for 4 rows total, creating an elastic, structured lower border. This same rib pattern is repeated at the neckline for a finished edge.
• Cable stitch (C4B): A four-stitch cable cross that forms the primary textural motif within the main pattern repeat.
• Pattern repeat: A four-row repeat forms the basis of the main fabric pattern, combining cables and lace elements to create the overall aesthetic.
• Stockinette stitch: Implied within the pattern structure as the base fabric supporting the cable and lace elements.

Materials and Specifications

The Rowan Soane is designed to be worked in Cashmere Tweed yarn by Rowan, a luxury fiber blend that provides warmth and subtle texture. The pattern calls for 7 to 9 balls of 25-gram yarn depending on size (the photographed sample shown is in colorway Jade Garden 012). Knitting is worked on 4mm (US 6) needles with a cable needle for managing cable crosses. The recommended tension is 28 stitches and 30 rows to 10 centimeters measured over the pattern using 4mm needles, ensuring proper garment proportions and fabric characteristics.

Pattern Progression and Finishing

After the ribbed cast-on edge, the garment is worked in the main pattern repeat while simultaneously introducing decreases to shape the silhouette. The pattern continues until the work measures between 20 and 23 centimeters (depending on size), at which point decreases are introduced at each end of the piece. These decreases follow a specific schedule: one stitch at each end on the next row and every 8th row thereafter, then on every 6th row for seven repeats, and finally on every 4th row for five repeats. This graduated decrease sequence creates a smooth taper. The piece is finished with a return to K1, P1 ribbing at the neckline, which is then cast off in rib to create a neat, professional edge. Seaming is completed using backstitch or mattress stitch, with one seam intentionally left open for the first 20–23 centimeters to create the cape or poncho opening. Additional finishing instructions are available on the Rowan website.