A dramatic evening cape from the early 1960s. Panels of stockinette, divided by narrow purl ribs, fan out from a ribbed neck to a wide hem, and the back hangs a little longer than the fronts. Wide front bands fold back for a crisp edge, and one big covered button closes it at the neck. It's knitted in one piece from the hem up.

Fit

A short shoulder cape, about 19 in (49 cm) long at the back in US 12 / UK 16; it sits over the shoulders and arms

Skill level

Easy. One piece from the hem up, with the shaping hidden in the ribs and folded front bands.

Sizes

US 4 to 24 (UK 8 to 28, EU 36 to 56): 32 to 52 in (81 to 132 cm) bust

Yarns

Super bulky / super chunky, Bulky / chunky

Original yarn

Two strands of mohair held together, knitting up like a super bulky (super chunky), at about 10 sts and 14 rows to 4 in (10 cm) over stockinette. For the closest match to the photo, use a yarn that knits to this gauge.

Gauge

Your own, from 8 to 14 stitches per 4 in (10 cm)

You get

Your complete pattern straight away, to read on screen, print or save, plus an email link back to it

Only super bulky and bulky (chunky) yarns are offered: in thinner yarn the cape loses its sculpted fullness.

What you'll get

• Every piece written out in full for your size and gauge
• Row counts with the length to check against, so you always know where you are
• Row-by-row planners for the tricky bits, where shaping happens on both edges at once
• Drawings of each piece with your measurements, and full making-up instructions

Every design is chosen by a knitter and checked against its original pattern. If you get stuck, email us and a real person will help.

No swatch? You can use the gauge on your yarn's label. For a perfect fit, knit a swatch and measure it over stockinette on your main needles, with the yarn (or two strands held together) you'll use for the cape. Here's how to measure your gauge.