Twist Collective Eigengrau Cape Knitting Pattern

Twist Collective Eigengrau Capelet

What is Being Made

Eigengrau is a seamless capelet designed by Alison Green, featuring a fitted silhouette worked from the bottom up. The garment is available in four sizes with circumferences ranging from 55" to 68¾" (139.5 to 174.5 cm) and a finished length of 16½" (42 cm) excluding the neckline. This knitted capelet combines classic construction with modern colorwork, making it a versatile layering piece.

Construction Techniques

Eigengrau employs a hybrid construction method that combines both flat and circular knitting techniques. The back and front bottom ribbing sections are worked flat in rows using straight needles, then strategically joined in the round for the body of the capelet. This approach avoids the challenge of casting on a large number of stitches and joining them without twisting. The side seams are sewn during finishing, though the pattern notes an alternative option to leave the ribbing open at the sides for a split hem effect, or to double the cast-on numbers and work entirely in the round from the beginning.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The capelet begins with a 2x2 ribbed edging at the bottom, created by alternating knit and purl stitches in a structured pattern. The ribbing is worked over multiple rows until it reaches 3 inches (7.5 cm) in depth. Once the body transitions to circular knitting, the pattern incorporates stranded colorwork presented in chart form, allowing for intricate two-color patterning throughout the piece. Strategic decreases are worked in subsequent rounds to shape the capelet, with decreases including k2tog (knit two together) and variations tailored to different size specifications.

Colorwork and Materials

The Twist Collective Eigengrau is worked in stranded colorwork using four coordinated colors from the Berroco Ultra Wool DK yarn line. The color palette consists of:

• Black Pepper (#83113) – the primary color, requiring 1-2 balls depending on size
• Cast Iron (#8334) – accent color
• Frost (#83108) – accent color
• Snow (#8300) – accent color

Berroco Ultra Wool DK is a superwash wool yarn offering 292 yards (267 meters) per 3½ ounce (100 gram) ball. The yarn's durability and easy-care properties make it ideal for a frequently worn capelet. For the size 59¼" (150.5 cm) shown, the sample used nearly the entire ball of Black Pepper with only a few yards remaining, though purchasing an extra ball is recommended to ensure sufficient yardage for completing the neckline on larger sizes.

Needles and Tools

The pattern calls for two needle sizes to create proper gauge and structure. Size 6 US (4 mm) circular needles are used for the main body, with a 36-inch (90 cm) length specified. For the initial ribbing sections, smaller straight needles or 24-inch (40 cm) circular needles are recommended, allowing for comfortable manipulation of the back and front ribbing pieces before they are joined. A 16-inch (40 cm) circular needle is used for transitioning between the ribbing and body sections.

Pattern Summary

The Eigengrau capelet represents a sophisticated approach to seamless garment construction, combining traditional ribbed edging with modern stranded colorwork. The bottom-up construction method provides flexibility in fit and allows knitters to customize the piece with options for split hems or fully circular construction. The use of superwash wool ensures the finished capelet is both beautiful and practical for regular wear, while the four-color stranded pattern adds visual interest and depth to this classic layering garment.