Carnelian Cape in Valley Yarns Southwick - 909 - Downloadable PDF

Carnelian Cape in Valley Yarns Southwick – Pattern #909 by Julie Turjoman

The Carnelian Cape, pattern number 909, is a beautifully designed shoulder-warming capelet created by knitwear designer Julie Turjoman. This elegant accessory is worked in a simple yet refined lace stitch pattern that makes it an ideal project for beginner knitters looking for a stress-free but rewarding challenge. The finished capelet can be worn loosely draped around the neck for a cozy, layered look, or pulled down for a stylish off-the-shoulder style, making it a versatile spring and transitional-season accessory.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a capelet — a short, shoulder-length cape that frames the upper body and neckline. It is available in three sizes with the following finished measurements:

• Sizes: S, M, L
• Bottom Circumference: 44 (48, 55¼) inches — the sample shown is worked in Size S at 44 inches
• Length: 11¾ (12¾, 14) inches depending on size

The capelet is designed to drape gracefully over the shoulders, and the yarn's natural fiber content gives the finished piece lovely drape and fluid movement that enhances the lace pattern beautifully.

Techniques Used

The Carnelian Cape is constructed using a combination of techniques that are approachable for beginners while still producing a polished, elegant result:

• Bottom-up construction: The capelet is worked from the lower edge upward, which is a straightforward and intuitive method for shaping a cape or poncho-style garment.
• Worked in the round: Circular knitting is used throughout the main body of the capelet, eliminating the need for complex flat-knitting techniques and reducing finishing work.
• Lace knitting: A simple but elegant lace stitch pattern is incorporated throughout the body of the capelet. Lace knitting typically involves yarn-over increases paired with decreases to create decorative openwork fabric. In this design, the lace pattern is intentionally accessible, making it a wonderful introduction to lace techniques for newer knitters.
• Short-row shaping: The pattern references short-row construction, which is used to add subtle shaping and dimension to the capelet without complicated seaming.
• Seamed finishing: Despite being largely worked in the round, the pattern does include some seamed elements as part of the construction and finishing process.
• Stitch markers: Both standard and locking stitch markers are used to track pattern repeats and shaping points throughout the project.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch structure of the Carnelian Cape centers on a lace stitch pattern that forms the decorative fabric of the entire capelet. Lace stitches in knitting typically combine:

• Yarn-overs (YO): Which create deliberate holes or eyelets in the fabric, forming the open, airy quality of lace.
• Decreases: Such as knit-two-together (k2tog) or slip-slip-knit (ssk), which compensate for the yarn-overs and maintain the stitch count while adding directional texture.
• Short-row techniques: Referenced in the pattern abbreviations, short rows involve working only partway across a row or round and turning the work, which creates shaped fabric without additional increases or decreases.

The gauge for this pattern is 20 stitches and 26 rounds = 4 inches in the lace stitch pattern, measured after blocking. Blocking is an important finishing step for lace knitting, as it opens up the lace motifs and evens out the fabric for the best drape and stitch definition.

Materials: Yarn, Needles, and Notions

The Carnelian Cape is designed specifically for Valley Yarns Southwick, a worsted weight yarn with a luxurious fiber blend of 52% Pima Cotton and 48% Bamboo. This cotton-bamboo combination is what gives the capelet its signature drape and lightweight feel, making it particularly