Tahki Yarns Tamarack Knitting Pattern

Tahki Yarns Tamarack Capelet

What is Being Made

The Tamarack is a seamless, top-down knitted capelet designed by Sandi Rosner. This easy-level garment features a fitted neckline that gradually widens toward the bottom, creating an elegant draped silhouette. The capelet measures 21¼ inches around the neck and expands to 70 inches at the bottom, with a finished length of 13 inches, making it a versatile layering piece suitable for various occasions and body types.

Techniques Used

This capelet is constructed using several key knitting techniques that contribute to its seamless, polished appearance:

• Seamless, Top-Down Construction: The garment is worked entirely in the round from the neckline downward, eliminating the need for seaming and creating a continuous, uninterrupted fabric.
• Worked in the Round: Using circular needles, the knitter works continuously in circular rows, which allows for even tension and a professional finish.
• Strategic Increases: The M1 (Make 1) increase technique is used periodically throughout the pattern to gradually expand the circumference from the neck to the hem, creating the capelet's characteristic flared shape.
• Stitch Pattern Integration: The design incorporates textured stitch patterns that are worked in the round, requiring careful attention to pattern placement and stitch orientation.

Stitches Used

The Tamarack pattern employs a variety of fundamental and decorative stitches to create visual interest and texture:

• Knit and Purl Stitches: The foundation of the pattern, used in alternating sequences to create the textured appearance.
• Basket Weave Pattern: A textured stitch pattern that creates a woven appearance, formed by alternating knit and purl stitches in specific sequences (such as k6, p7 or similar combinations).
• M1 (Make 1) Increases: A method of creating new stitches by lifting the strand between needles and working it through the back loop, which twists the stitch to prevent holes and maintain fabric integrity.
• Bind Off: Used to secure the final stitches at the hem, creating a finished edge.

Materials and Tools

The Tamarack pattern calls for specific materials and equipment to achieve the intended gauge and finished measurements:

• Yarn: 2 skeins of Tahki Yarns DAKOTA, a 100% naturally undyed wool yarn in color #3 driftwood. Each skein contains 3.5 ounces (100 grams) and yields 262 yards (240 meters), providing approximately 524 yards of yarn total.
• Needles: Two size 8 (5mm) circular needles—one 16 inches (40 cm) long for the initial cast-on and smaller sections, and one 32 inches (80 cm) long for working the expanded circumference as stitches increase.
• Notions: A stitch marker to denote the beginning of each round and a yarn needle for weaving in ends during finishing.
• Gauge: 18 stitches and 30 rounds equal 4 inches (10 cm) in the Basket Weave pattern. Achieving proper gauge is essential for obtaining the correct finished measurements.

Pattern Structure and Construction Details

The Tamarack follows a methodical construction sequence that builds the capelet from the top down. The pattern begins with casting on 96 stitches on the shorter circular needle and joining to work in the round. The first three rounds are purled to create a finished neckline edge, followed by a knit round that establishes the base. The pattern then introduces the Basket Weave stitch pattern, which is repeated multiple times with strategic increase rounds interspersed throughout to gradually expand the garment. Increase rounds using the M1 technique occur at regular intervals, expanding the stitch count from the initial 96 stitches to a final 288 stitches by the time the capelet reaches its full width. The final rounds return to purl stitches, creating a finished hem edge, before binding off. The pattern concludes with finishing steps including weaving in yarn ends and blocking the capelet to the specified measurements to achieve the proper drape and dimensions.