In keeping with the Bauhaus maxim “form follows function,” Norah Gaughan has combined two traditional Aran motifs to create a capelet that tapers gently from elbow to neck. The wide diamonds at the hem ease into simple rope cables as the capelet narrows. To maintain the integrity of the patterns right up to the roomy 1970s-inspired buttoned collar, Norah hides the shaping decreases in the reverse stockinette-stitch background that separates the cable panels. Her signature yarn, a soft baby alpaca, lends strong dimension to the patterns and makes for a classic design that’s warm and comfortable to wear.
51 (58)" (129.5 [147.5] cm) circumference at lower edge, 17 (19)" (43 [48.5] cm) circumference at neck with collar ribbing relaxed, and 12½" (31.5 cm) long. Sized to fit bust measurement of about 32–40 (42–48)" (81–101 [106–122] cm). Capelet shown measures 58" (147.5 cm) at lower edge.
About 803 (876) yd (734 [801] m) of worsted-weight (Medium #4) yarn.
We used: Goddess Yarns Phoebe (100% baby alpaca; 73 yd [67 m]/50 g): #8325 fern, 11 (12) skeins.
Size 7 and 8 (4.5 and 5 mm): 24" (60-cm) circular (cir). Collar and edging—Size 6 (4 mm): 24" (60-cm) cir. Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.
Tapestry needle, stitch holder; cable needle (cn); three 1⅛" (2.8-cm) buttons.
18 sts and 24 rows = 4" (10 cm) in St st on largest needles; 26 rows of cable pattern from chart = 4" (10 cm), and 40-st repeat of cable pattern measures 7" (18 cm) wide on largest needles.
Download the chart for this project here.
K2, P2 Rib: (multiple of 4 sts)
Row 1: (WS) P1, *k2, p2; rep from * to last 3 sts, k2, p1.
Row 2: (RS) K1, *p2, k2; rep from * to last 3 sts, p2, k1.
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 for pattern.
With size 7 (4.5-mm) needle, CO 292 (332) sts. Do not join. Work k2, p2 rib (see Stitch Guide) until piece measures 1½" (3.8 cm) from beg, ending with a WS row. Change to size 8 (5-mm) needle and work Rows 1–72 of Aran Cable chart (see page 67), working decs as indicated on chart—124 (140) sts rem. Set aside.
Left band: With size 6 (4-mm) needle, CO 11 sts.
Row 1: (WS) [K1, p1] 5 times, k1.
Row 2: (RS) K2, [p1, k1] 4 times, k1.
Rep Rows 1 and 2 until left band has the same total number of rows as the capelet (the number of rows in the k2, p2 rib, plus 72 rows for chart), ending with a WS row. Place sts on holder.
Right band: Work as for left band, but make 2 buttonholes, one even with Row 47 of chart, and the other one even with Row 71 of chart (both 3/3RC cable-crossing rows), as foll: (RS) Work 5 sts in patt, BO 2 sts, work in patt to end. On the next row, use the backward loop method (see Glossary, page 146) to CO 2 sts over the BO sts in the previous row to complete the buttonhole. Complete as for left band, ending with a WS row. Do not cut yarn.
Collar: With size 6 (4-mm) needle, work 9 sts of right band in established rib, ssk (see Glossary, page 149); with same yarn, cont across capelet sts as foll: p2tog, p1, work k2, p2 rib as established to last 3 sts, p2tog, p1; with same yarn, cont across left band as foll: k2tog, work to end in established rib—142 (158) sts. Cont even as established until piece measures 3½" (9 cm) from last buttonhole, ending with a WS row. Next row: (buttonhole row) Work 5 sts in patt, BO 2 sts, work in patt to end. On next row, CO 2 sts over the BO sts as before. Cont even as established until collar measures 9" (23 cm), ending with a WS row. BO all sts in rib patts.
Sew the bands to the front edges of the cape using mattress stitch. Sew buttons to left front, opposite buttonholes. Weave in loose ends. Block lightly.
Work large motifs at the wide base and small motifs at the top, where the cape tapers for the neck.
