North Cape - Knitting Pattern For Women in Debbie Bliss Roma

North Cape Knitting Pattern for Women – Debbie Bliss Roma

The North is a women's knitted cape and cowl set designed by Debbie Bliss and worked in Debbie Bliss Roma, a super chunky yarn. Published in 2019, this advanced knitting pattern produces a beautifully textured, lace-detailed cape that drapes elegantly from the shoulders, paired with a coordinating cowl. The combination of lace panels and moss stitch creates a striking visual contrast that makes this an impressive project for experienced knitters looking for a statement cold-weather accessory.

What Is Being Made

The pattern includes two garments worked together as a set:

• A cape – a seamless, circular cape worked from the lower edge upward, featuring lace panels and moss stitch throughout. It is designed to fit bust sizes ranging from 81–86 cm (32–34 in) up to 112–117 cm (44–46 in), with a generous lower edge width of approximately 107–143 cm (42–56¼ in) depending on size, and a finished length of approximately 28–30 cm (11–11¾ in).
• A cowl – a complementary neckpiece also worked in the round, using the same yarn and stitch patterns to create a cohesive, coordinated look.

Techniques Used

• Worked in the round – both the cape and cowl are constructed entirely in the round on circular needles, eliminating the need for seaming and creating a smooth, seamless fabric.
• Lace knitting – decorative lace panels are incorporated using yarn forward (yfwd) increases paired with double decreases (sl 1, k2tog, psso) to create elegant, open stitch motifs that repeat across the fabric.
• Shaping in the round – strategic decreases including p3tog and sl 1, k2tog, psso are used at intervals to shape the cape from its wide lower edge up toward the neckline, reducing stitch counts progressively through the rounds.
• Needle changes for shaping – the pattern cleverly uses three different needle sizes during construction to help shape the silhouette, beginning with the largest needle and stepping down as the work progresses toward the neck.

Stitches Used

• Moss stitch – the primary background stitch, created by alternating knit and purl stitches in a specific sequence. Moss stitch produces a dense, textured fabric with excellent drape and warmth, well suited to a super chunky yarn.
• Lace stitch pattern – a four-round repeating lace motif featuring yarn forward increases and double decreases, worked in panels alongside the moss stitch sections.
• Knit and purl combinations – standard knit (k) and purl (p) stitches form the foundation of both the moss stitch fabric and the lace panel framing.
• Double decreases – sl 1, k2tog, psso (slip one, knit two together, pass slipped stitch over) creates a central double decrease used prominently within the lace motifs and for overall shaping.
• p3tog – purl three together, used during shaping rounds to reduce stitch count efficiently.

Materials Required

• Yarn: Debbie Bliss Roma in Ecru 01 – a super chunky weight yarn. The pattern calls for 3 (4:4:5) x 100g balls depending on the size being made. Roma is a luxuriously soft super chunky yarn that knits up quickly and produces a beautifully substantial fabric ideal for outerwear accessories.
• Needles: Three sizes of circular needles, each 80–100 cm (32–40 in) in length, are required:
  • 10mm (US 15) circular needle – used to cast on and begin the lower edge of the cape
  • 8mm (US 11) circular needle – used for the mid-