McNikles Hooded Capelet

McNikles Hooded Capelet by Nyklknits

What is Being Made

The McNikles Hooded Capelet is a knitted capelet design that combines a structured shoulder piece with an integrated hood. This garment is sized for children and adults, ranging from toddler (2T/3T) through Adult Large, making it a versatile layering piece suitable for various ages. The capelet features a fitted shoulder area that transitions into a draped silhouette, with lengths ranging from 7 inches for toddler sizes to 14 inches for adult sizes.

Craft and Primary Technique

This project is created using the knitting craft with flat knitting construction on straight needles. The McNikles Hooded Capelet is classified as an intermediate difficulty project, suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to work with color patterns and multiple yarn colors in a single piece.

Stitches and Stitch Techniques Used

The capelet employs fundamental knitting stitches as its foundation:

• Knit stitch (K) – Used throughout the fabric for structure and texture
• Purl stitch (P) – Creates the reverse stockinette sections and adds dimensional interest
• Color work – The pattern incorporates intarsia or stranded colorwork techniques, with a charted pattern beginning at Row 9 (or Row 17 depending on size). The color work section uses three distinct yarn colors worked in a repeating motif across the body of the capelet
• Cast-on – Initial stitches are cast on in Color 1, with stitch counts varying by size from 36 to 72 stitches

Materials Required

The McNikles Hooded Capelet is worked in worsted weight yarn, a medium-weight yarn that provides excellent stitch definition for colorwork and creates a durable, wearable fabric. The pattern requires:

• Size 6 needles – Straight needles in US size 6 for flat knitting construction
• Color 1 (primary color) – 70 to 740 yards depending on size selected, ranging from 70 yards for the smallest 2T/3T size to 740 yards for Adult Large
• Color 2 (secondary color) – 135 to 370 yards for colorwork details, with yardage scaling from 135 yards (2T/3T) to 370 yards (Adult Large)
• Color 3 (accent color) – 15 to 50 yards for small accent details, ranging from 15 yards (2T/3T) to 50 yards (Adult Large)

Gauge and Sizing Information

The pattern is worked to a gauge of 20 stitches by 24 rows per 4 inches in stockinette stitch with worsted weight yarn on Size 6 needles. Achieving proper gauge is essential for obtaining the correct finished dimensions. Seven size options are provided:

• 2T/3T – 7 inches length, 22 inches width
• 3T/4T – 7 inches length, 27 inches width
• 4T/5T – 12 inches length, 31 inches width
• Child Small – 12 inches length, 36 inches width
• Child Large – 12 inches length, 40 inches width
• Adult Small – 14 inches length, 49 inches width
• Adult Large – 14 inches length, 61 inches width

Pattern Construction Details

The McNikles Hooded Capelet begins with a garter stitch border created by alternating knit and purl rows in Color 1 for the first 8 to 16 rows depending on size. This creates a textured, stable edge that frames the piece. Following the border, colorwork begins at Row 9 or Row 17 with a charted pattern worked from the bottom right, incorporating all three yarn colors in a repeating motif. The color pattern uses a combination of knit and purl stitches to create the