Herringbone Cape

Herringbone Cape by Judy Furlong

What is Being Made

The Herringbone Cape is a pull-on textured shoulder cape designed by Judy Furlong. This cosy layering piece features a generous rib collar that folds over for added warmth and comfort. The cape is available in six sizes to fit bust measurements from 76-86 cm up to 141-158 cm, with actual lower edge measurements ranging from 101 cm to 153 cm all around. This design offers a versatile accessory suitable for various body sizes and proportions.

Construction Method and Techniques

The Herringbone Cape employs an interesting multi-stage construction approach that combines several knitting techniques. The pattern begins by knitting the generous rib collar in the round using circular needles. The construction then transitions to working the herringbone stitch pattern back and forth on circular needles, allowing for the creation of the cape's main textured body. The design concludes with a short rib section, and the cable edges are grafted together to complete the finished garment. This combination of techniques creates visual interest while maintaining structural integrity throughout the piece.

Stitches Used

• Rib Stitch — used for both the collar and the final rib section, providing elasticity and a finished edge
• Herringbone Stitch — the primary decorative stitch pattern that creates the textured appearance across the main body of the cape
• Cable Stitch — featured on the rounded edges for added visual detail and structure
• Grafting — a finishing technique used to seamlessly join the cable edges together

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Herringbone Cape is designed for chunky weight yarn. The original yarn used in the published pattern was a 100% British chunky wool, though this particular yarn is now discontinued. Knitters can explore alternative chunky weight options through independent yarn shops or online yarn substitution resources such as www.yarnsub.com to find suitable replacements that match the original specifications. The pattern requires circular needles appropriate for chunky yarn, as the construction involves both working in the round for the collar and working back and forth for the main body sections.

Difficulty Level

The Herringbone Cape is rated as an intermediate knitting project. While the pattern is described as a fairly quick knit, it incorporates several interesting techniques that make it challenging for beginners. The combination of working in the round, transitioning to flat knitting, managing the herringbone stitch pattern, and executing the grafting technique requires intermediate-level skills and experience. This pattern is well-suited for knitters who have progressed beyond basic projects and are ready to expand their technical repertoire.

Publication History

The Herringbone Cape pattern was first published in GMC Knitting Magazine, Issue 111, in January 2013. This downloadable PDF format allows knitters to access the complete pattern conveniently for their projects.