Tahki Yarns Derry Capelet and Hat Knitting Pattern

Tahki Yarns Derry Capelet and Hat

What Is Being Made

This downloadable knitting pattern from Tahki Yarns features a coordinating capelet and hat set designed by Teresa Chorzepa. The capelet is a fitted shoulder piece worked from the bottom up in three sizes—Small/Medium, Large/XL, and 2X/3X—with a lower edge circumference ranging from 49½ to 60½ inches and a finished length of 15½ inches. The hat is offered in one size with an 18-inch circumference at the lower edge. Both pieces are crafted from the same yarn in matching purple colorway, creating a cohesive, elegant accessory ensemble suitable for intermediate-level knitters.

Techniques Used

The Derry Capelet and Hat employ several intermediate knitting techniques that add visual interest and texture to the finished pieces. The capelet is worked from the bottom up, allowing knitters to try on the piece as it progresses and easily adjust the length if desired. Both the capelet and hat are worked in the round using circular needles, which creates seamless, tubular fabric ideal for fitted garments. The pattern features extensive cable work throughout, with cables creating raised, twisted stitch patterns that provide both structural definition and decorative appeal. The combination of these techniques results in a sophisticated, textured fabric that showcases the natural qualities of the yarn while maintaining the structured fit necessary for a capelet.

Stitches Used

The pattern incorporates a variety of cable and twisted stitches to create its distinctive textured appearance. Key stitches include C6B (slip 3 stitches to cable needle and hold in back, knit 3, then knit 3 from cable needle), C4B (slip 2 stitches to cable needle and hold in back, knit 2, then knit 2 from cable needle), and C4F (slip 2 stitches to cable needle and hold in front, knit 2, then knit 2 from cable needle). Twisted stitches include T4L (slip 3 stitches to cable needle and hold in front, purl 1, then knit 3 from cable needle), T4R (slip 1 stitch to cable needle and hold in back, knit 3, then purl 1 from cable needle), T2R (slip 1 stitch to cable needle and hold in back, knit 1, then knit 1 from cable needle), and C4L and C4R variations. The pattern also uses stockinette stitch as the base fabric and reverse stockinette (purl) stitches to frame and highlight the cable motifs. Decreases such as p2tog (purl 2 together) are incorporated to shape the garment, particularly in later rounds of the capelet.

Materials and Tools

The capelet requires 3 to 5 skeins of Tahki Yarns Donegal Tweed depending on size, while the hat requires 1 skein. Donegal Tweed is a 100% wool yarn with approximately 183 yards per 100-gram skein. The specified colorway is #807 purple. Knitters will need size 8 (5mm) circular needles in two lengths: a 16-inch needle and a 29-inch needle for the capelet, and a 16-inch needle for the hat. Additionally, a set of size 8 (5mm) double-pointed needles is required for the hat, particularly for the crown decreases when the circumference becomes too small for circular needles. Essential notions include a cable needle for managing the cable stitches, stitch markers to denote round beginnings and pattern repeats, and a yarn needle for weaving in ends. The pattern specifies checking gauge at 14 stitches and 22 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch to ensure proper fit.