Twist Collective Ostraka Cape Knitting Pattern

Ostraka Capelet by Kate Gilbert

What Is Being Made

Ostraka is a luxurious capelet designed by Kate Gilbert for Twist Collective. This garment is a sophisticated layering piece featuring a fitted cowl neck that transitions into a dramatically flared circular body. The capelet measures 90 ½ inches in circumference at the bottom with a finished length of 17 inches from the neck, creating an elegant draped silhouette that works beautifully as a statement accessory or lightweight shoulder wrap.

Construction Method and Techniques

Ostraka is worked seamlessly in the round from the top down, beginning at the neck and expanding outward to the full circumference. This construction approach allows for customization of the garment length if desired and eliminates the need for seaming. The design employs strategic increases distributed evenly around the circumference to create the flared shape, with increases occurring at regular intervals to maintain the circular silhouette.

The pattern incorporates cable stitches as a primary design element, with cables worked at specific marker points throughout the body. These cables are created using techniques such as C4B (cable 4 back) and C4F (cable 4 front), which involve crossing stitches over each other to create the characteristic twisted texture. The cable placements are strategically positioned and repeated throughout the rounds to create visual interest and structure within the expanding fabric.

Lace elements are integrated through paired decreases and increases, creating openwork sections that add elegance and reduce weight in the finished garment. These decreases, worked as ssk (slip, slip, knit) and k2tog (knit 2 together), are balanced with make-one increases (M1E) to maintain stitch counts while creating decorative holes.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The foundation of Ostraka is stockinette stitch, which creates a smooth, classic fabric base. The pattern begins with a garter stitch cowl at the neck, created by alternating knit and purl rounds to produce the characteristic ridged texture that provides structure and comfort at the neckline.

Key stitch techniques used throughout include:

• Cable stitches: C4B and C4F create the twisted rope-like textures that define the design
• Increases: M1E (make one east) strategically placed to shape the capelet's expansion
• Decreases: ssk and k2tog balanced with increases to create lace patterning
• Stockinette stitch: Knit rounds alternating with purl rounds in the cowl section, then primarily knit rounds in the body
• Garter stitch: Used in the cowl neck for texture and structure

The pattern is organized into clearly marked rounds with stitch markers placed at strategic points to track cable and increase positions. Rounds are numbered sequentially, with even-numbered rounds typically worked as knit rounds to maintain pattern consistency.

Yarn and Materials

The suggested yarn for Ostraka is Lana Grossa Lala Berlin Lovely Cowl Neck in the colorway #006 Light Gray. This premium yarn is composed of 52% Alpaca, 18% Cashmere, 18% Virgin Wool, and 12% Polyamide, creating a luxuriously soft and warm fiber blend. Each ball contains 98 yards (90 meters) and weighs 1 ¾ ounces (50 grams). The project requires 7 balls of yarn, providing approximately 686 yards of fiber.

The alpaca and cashmere content ensures exceptional softness and drape, while the wool provides elasticity and structure. The polyamide adds durability and helps the garment maintain its shape through wear and washing.

Needles and Notions

Ostraka is worked on US Size 13 (9 mm) circular needles in two lengths to accommodate the expanding stitch count. The pattern specifies a 16-inch circular needle for the initial cowl section and a 36-inch or 40-inch circular needle for the body once the stitch count increases. The longer needle becomes necessary as the circumference expands to accommodate 256+ stitches.

Additional notions required include stitch markers to track cable and increase positions, a cable needle for executing the cable stitches, and a tapestry needle for finishing. Gauge is critical for this project: 12 stitches and 17 rows should measure 4 inches in stockinette stitch. Adjust