Rue De Rivoli Cape Knitting Pattern

Rue De Rivoli Cape in Juniper Moon Farm Fourteen

What Is Being Made

The Rue De Rivoli Cape is a sophisticated knitted wrap designed as part of the Gamine Collection by Kathleen Dames. This top-down raglan cape features an elegant collar and a gracefully expanding silhouette that flows from a fitted neckline to a generous hem. The finished cape measures 22 inches (56 centimeters) at the collar and expands to 48 inches (123 centimeters) at the hem, making it an ideal layering piece for adding style and warmth to any outfit.

Techniques Used

This intermediate-level knitting project employs several key techniques to achieve its distinctive construction and appearance. The cape is worked from the top down, beginning with a cast-on at the collar and expanding outward through strategic increases. The garment uses a raglan construction method, which creates diagonal shaping lines that extend from the neckline down the sides of the cape, providing both visual interest and proper fit.

Increases are incorporated throughout the pattern using multiple methods, including m1 (make one) increases worked from the front to back and from the back to front, as well as m1L and m1R variations that create twisted increases in opposite directions. These increases are placed at marked intervals to control the cape's expansion and maintain its balanced proportions. The pattern also employs i-cord techniques, which involve knitting stitches across and sliding them along the needle to create decorative cord elements.

Stitches Used

The Rue De Rivoli Cape showcases a striking cable pattern that gives the design its distinctive undulating texture and visual appeal. The cable work is the primary stitch pattern, with the pattern repeat referred to as the "Rue de Rivoli cable." The collar is worked in k3p3 ribbing (knit three, purl three), which creates an elastic, fitted neckline that sits comfortably against the body.

Beyond the cable and ribbing, the pattern incorporates basic knitting fundamentals including knit stitches, purl stitches, slip stitches, and decreases such as k2tog (knit two together) and k3tog (knit three together). Cable work requires the use of a cable needle to temporarily hold stitches while crossing them over other stitches, creating the dimensional twisted effects that characterize cable knitting.

Materials and Tools

This project requires 6 balls of Juniper Moon Farm Fourteen yarn in color #02 Dreamscape, with each ball weighing 50 grams. Juniper Moon Farm Fourteen is a premium yarn choice that works well for structured garments like capes.

The required needles include a size US 8 (5 millimeter) circular needle measuring 40 inches (100 centimeters) in length for the main body of the cape, and a pair of size US 8 (5 millimeter) double-pointed needles for working smaller sections or finishing details. Additional notions include a cable needle for managing cable stitches, stitch markers to denote pattern sections and increase points, a tapestry needle for weaving in ends and seaming, and one large button for closure or embellishment.

Gauge and Finished Dimensions

The pattern specifies a gauge of 30 stitches and 28 rows per 4 inches (10 centimeters) in the Rue de Rivoli cable pattern. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for obtaining the finished measurements of a 22-inch (56-centimeter) collar and a 48-inch (123-centimeter) hem. The cape begins with a cast-on of 135 stitches and expands to 139 stitches after the pattern setup row, with further increases worked throughout the body to achieve the final hem width.

Pattern Construction Details

The cape construction begins with casting on 135 stitches using the circular needle. The collar is established with a setup row worked in knit and purl, followed by 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) of k3p3 ribbing to create the fitted neckline. The pattern setup row introduces the Rue de Rivoli cable pattern across the cape body, with stitch markers placed to delineate pattern repeats and increase locations. The pattern is strategically organized with two cable repeats at the front, one repeat at each side, and three repeats at the back, allowing the cable pattern to flow seamlessly across the garment while the raglan increases