The Hamptons

The Hamptons by MaryG Knits

Project Overview

The Hamptons is an intermediate-level knitted cape or poncho design created by designer Mary C. Gildersleeve. This downloadable PDF pattern combines classic knitting techniques with modern construction methods to create a sophisticated layering piece suitable for various skill levels beyond complete beginners.

What Is Being Made

The Hamptons is a knitted cape or poncho featuring a fitted neck opening and a dramatic hemline that extends from the neckline. The finished garment has a neck opening measuring 3 inches by 9.5 inches, with a total length from neck to hem point of 17.5 inches. The design creates an elegant, wearable accessory that drapes beautifully when worn.

Knitting Techniques Used

This pattern employs several key knitting techniques that contribute to its intermediate difficulty rating:

• Circular knitting in the round: The entire project is worked on circular needles, allowing for seamless construction and the creation of tubular fabric without seams.
• Raglan shaping: Cable twists are incorporated along the raglan lines, which are the diagonal seam lines that run from the underarm to the neckline. This shaping technique creates fitted shoulders and a flattering silhouette.
• Garter striping in the round: The pattern uses alternating knit and purl rounds to create visible horizontal stripes while working circularly, combining two yarn colors (solid and multi-colored) to build visual interest and texture.
• Cable work: A cable twist on the raglan uses a cable needle to cross stitches, creating the distinctive twisted texture along the shoulder seams.
• Lace blocking: The pattern recommends lace blocking techniques to achieve proper drape and finished dimensions, which enhances the final appearance of the garment.

Stitches Used

The Hamptons utilizes fundamental and intermediate stitches to create its structure and visual appeal:

• Stockinette stitch: The primary stitch used throughout the body of the garment, worked in the round to create smooth, flat fabric.
• Garter stitch: Created by alternating knit and purl rounds, this stitch adds texture and visual striping to the design.
• Cable twist: A six-stitch cable worked on the raglan lines, involving slipping stitches to a cable needle, holding them to the front, knitting two stitches, then knitting the two stitches from the cable needle. This cable repeat occurs every six rounds.
• Purl stitches: Used as edge stitches flanking the cable twist (one purl stitch on each side of the six-stitch cable).

Materials and Gauge

The Hamptons requires fingering weight sock yarn, which is a lightweight yarn suitable for creating delicate, well-defined stitch definition. The sample shown in the pattern was knit using Cascade Heritage Sock in Cerulean (solid color) and Knit Picks Stroll in Jester Multi (coordinating multi-colored yarn). The pattern calls for 310 yards of solid yarn and 231 yards of the multi-colored yarn, totaling approximately 541 yards.

Needles required include US #8 circular needles in 16-inch length and US #9 circular needles in both 16-inch and 32-inch lengths. The gauge is 18 stitches by 24 rounds over 4 inches of stockinette stitch, worked in the round on the larger needles and measured after blocking.

Additional materials include a cable needle for working the cable twists, multiple stitch markers (one for marking the beginning of the round and eight additional markers in different colors for tracking pattern sections), a tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends, and lace blocking pins, wires, and a blocking board for finishing, though blocking supplies are noted as optional but highly recommended for achieving the best results.