Rowan Wold Cape Knitting Pattern

Rowan Wold Cape and Poncho by Lisa Richardson

What Is Being Made

The Rowan Wold is a knitted cape or poncho design by Lisa Richardson, available in three sizes to fit bust measurements of 81-91 cm (32-36 in), 97-112 cm (38-44 in), and 117-127 cm (46-50 in). The finished garment features actual bust measurements of 155 cm (61 in), 177 cm (69½ in), and 192 cm (75½ in) respectively, creating a generous, flowing silhouette characteristic of cape and poncho styles. The design includes structured shoulder shaping and a shaped back neck opening, making it a sophisticated layering piece.

Techniques Used

The Rowan Wold employs several advanced knitting techniques to achieve its elegant construction. The garment is worked flat on straight needles for the main sections, allowing for precise shaping and control. Seamless construction is achieved through strategic use of holders and careful joining at shoulder seams, minimizing visible seams while maintaining structural integrity. The pattern incorporates wrap and turn techniques for shoulder shaping, a method that creates smooth, angled shoulders without visible steps. This short-row shaping technique is worked progressively, wrapping 3 to 5 fewer stitches on alternating rows to gradually slope the shoulders. The back neck is shaped with strategic decreases worked at the neck edge over multiple rows, creating a refined neckline. The design transitions from patterned sections to garter stitch for the neck and finishing areas, providing textural contrast and a neat edge.

Stitches Used

The Rowan Wold utilizes fundamental knitting stitches executed with precision. Garter stitch (knit every row) forms the basis of the neck shaping and finishing sections, creating a reversible, textured fabric with excellent drape. The main body incorporates a stitch pattern worked from the provided pattern repeat, maintained consistently across the cast-on stitches of 202, 230, or 250 stitches depending on size. Knit and purl combinations create the overall pattern texture, worked with attention to tension and consistency. Decreases are worked at the neck edge to shape the back neckline, reducing stitches by one stitch per row over four consecutive rows on each side. The pattern includes cast-on techniques to establish the initial 202 [230: 250] stitches and stitch holders to manage live stitches during construction, allowing sections to be worked separately and later joined.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Rowan Wold is designed to be knitted with Rowan Valley Tweed, a premium yarn requiring 10, 12, or 13 balls of 50-gram weight depending on size selection. The yarn is photographed in the colorway Malham 101, showcasing the tweedy texture characteristic of this yarn line. Knitting is executed on 3¼mm (US 3) straight needles for the main fabric, where tension is established at 26 stitches and 42 rows to 10 centimeters. A 3mm (US 2/3) circular needle no longer than 40 centimeters is used for the collar and neck shaping sections, allowing for efficient management of stitches while working in the round or flat as required. The pattern calls for 6 buttons for closure or embellishment, adding functional and decorative detail to the finished garment. Additional pattern information and yarn sourcing details are available on knitrowan.com.