Cape in Hayfield Bonus Aran Tweed - 7372 - Downloadable PDF

Cape in Hayfield Bonus Aran Tweed – Pattern 7372

This downloadable PDF knitting pattern from Hayfield provides full instructions for a beautifully textured cape, worked in the brand's popular Bonus Aran Tweed yarn. The cape is a versatile, cosy outerwear piece that drapes elegantly from the shoulders, offering generous width around the lower edge and a flattering full length. It is available in three sizes to fit bust measurements of approximately 81/86 cm, 91/97 cm, and 102/107 cm (32/34 in, 36/38 in, and 40/42 in), making it suitable for a wide range of wearers.

Finished Measurements

• Width around lower edge: approximately 202 cm, 212 cm, or 222 cm (79¾ in, 83½ in, or 87½ in)
• Full length: approximately 67 cm, 70 cm, or 72 cm (26½ in, 27½ in, or 28¼ in)

What Is Being Made

The finished garment is a knitted cape — a sleeveless, shoulder-draped outerwear layer that sits over the body without sleeves or armhole shaping. Capes of this style are worked in panels, combining decorative stitch patterns across the body to create a richly textured fabric with visual depth and warmth. The generous lower circumference gives the cape its characteristic sweep and movement.

Materials Required

• Yarn: Hayfield Bonus Aran Tweed, shade 711 — 3 x 400g balls for all three sizes. The pattern notes that Hayfield Bonus Aran (without the tweed) is also suitable as a substitute.
• Needles: 1 pair of 5mm knitting needles (UK 6 / USA 8)
• Additional tool: A cable needle is required for working the cable and twist stitches throughout the pattern

Yarn Weight

The yarn used is Aran weight, which produces a fabric with excellent stitch definition — ideal for showcasing the intricate cable and textured panel work featured in this design. Aran weight yarn knits up relatively quickly compared to lighter weights, making this a satisfying project for intermediate and experienced knitters.

Tension

Achieving the correct tension is described as essential in this pattern. Three separate tension measurements are given, reflecting the different stitch patterns used across the cape:

• 38 stitches to 15 cm (6 in) over the side hourglass and ribbed pattern
• 27 stitches to 11 cm (4¼ in) over the centre ribbed diamond panel pattern
• 18 stitches and 24 rows to 10 cm (4 in) over reversed stocking stitch
• All tensions measured on 5mm needles, or the size needed to achieve the stated tension

Techniques Used

This pattern employs a rich variety of knitting techniques, making it a rewarding project for knitters with experience in textured and cable knitting:

• Cable knitting — multiple cable crossings are worked throughout, using a cable needle to hold stitches to the front or back while others are knitted
• Ribbing — used both as a structural and decorative element within the panel patterns
• Reversed stocking stitch — the purl side is used as the right side in certain sections, creating a smooth, matte background that makes cable and textured stitches stand out
• Decreasing — shaping is achieved through standard decrease methods including k2tog, p2tog, and psso (pass slipped stitch over)
• Panel construction — the cape is worked in distinct stitch panels, including a centre ribbed diamond panel and side hourglass panels, which are combined to create the overall fabric