Valley Yarns Old Sheldon House Crocheted Capelet Pattern

Valley Yarns Old Sheldon House Crocheted Capelet

What is Being Made

The Old Sheldon House Crocheted Capelet is a lightweight layering piece designed by Sara Delaney. This capelet is worked in three finished sizes to fit chest measurements of 40 inches, 46 inches, or 52 inches, with corresponding lengths of 16 inches, 20 inches, or 24 inches. The capelet provides elegant shoulder coverage and is suitable for a range of body sizes, making it a versatile addition to any wardrobe.

Techniques Used

This capelet is constructed using several key crochet techniques that create both structure and visual interest:

• Worked in the Round: The capelet is created by working circular rounds from the bottom up, which allows for seamless construction and even shaping throughout the piece.
• Bottom-Up Construction: Beginning at the lower edge and working upward toward the neckline ensures proper fit and allows for easy adjustments to length as needed.
• Seamless Design: The round-by-round construction eliminates the need for seaming, resulting in a polished, professional finish.
• Lace Patterning: Decorative lace elements are incorporated throughout the design using chain spaces and treble clusters, creating an open, airy aesthetic that is both feminine and sophisticated.

Stitches Used

The pattern employs fundamental crochet stitches combined in strategic ways to achieve the capelet's structure and lace appearance:

• Chain (ch): Used extensively to create open spaces and decorative gaps within the lace pattern.
• Treble (tr): The primary stitch used throughout most rounds, providing height and creating the main fabric structure.
• Treble Decrease (trdec): Used in later rounds to shape the capelet and create visual texture by decreasing multiple stitches together.
• Slip Stitch (sl st): Used to join rounds seamlessly and maintain the circular construction.
• Single Crochet (sc) and Double Crochet (dc): Referenced in the abbreviations section, indicating these foundational stitches are part of the overall pattern vocabulary.

Materials

The Old Sheldon House Crocheted Capelet is designed to be worked with specific materials that ensure proper drape and warmth:

• Yarn: Valley Yarns Berkshire Bulky, a premium blend of 85% wool and 15% alpaca, offering both softness and durability. The yarn provides 108 yards per 100-gram skein. Yardage requirements vary by size: 3 skeins for the smallest size (40-inch chest), 4 skeins for the medium size (46-inch chest), and 5 skeins for the largest size (52-inch chest). The pattern is worked in color 42 Dark Gray Heather, a versatile neutral shade.
• Crochet Hook: A Size J/10 (6.0mm) crochet hook is used throughout the project, appropriately scaled to the bulky yarn weight.
• Notions: One locking stitch marker is required to track pattern repeats and construction progress.

Difficulty Level

This capelet is rated as a beginner-friendly project, making it accessible to crocheters who have mastered basic stitches and are ready to explore simple shaping and lace techniques. The straightforward round-by-round construction and use of standard crochet abbreviations make it an excellent choice for developing fundamental skills in circular crochet work.