Yaz Capelet/Cowl in Juniper Moon Zooey - Downloadable PDF

Yaz Capelet/Cowl in Juniper Moon Farm Zooey by Mari Chiba

The Yaz Capelet/Cowl is a beautifully versatile knitted lace capelet designed by Mari Chiba as part of The Summer Collection. Worked in the lightweight and breathable Juniper Moon Farm Zooey yarn, this elegant piece is designed to drape gracefully over the shoulders, making it a perfect layering accessory over sundresses, tank tops, or any warm-weather outfit. Its thoughtful construction means it can also be scrunched up and worn as a cowl, giving knitters two stylish options in a single pattern.

What Is Being Made

The Yaz is a lace capelet and cowl — a lightweight, circular shoulder covering that adds a touch of modesty and warmth without obscuring the outfit beneath. The capelet is shaped to sit securely on the shoulders without slipping, a detail that sets it apart from simpler shawlette or poncho designs. Its dual-purpose nature as both a capelet and a cowl makes it an especially practical and rewarding project. The pattern is offered in three sizes: Small, Medium, and Large, with a finished top circumference ranging from 29 to 36 inches and a bottom circumference ranging from 36 to 45 inches. The finished length is a consistent 13 inches / 32 cm across all sizes.

Construction and Techniques

The Yaz Capelet/Cowl is knitted in the round on circular needles, which creates a seamless tube of fabric that flows smoothly around the shoulders and neck. One of the most distinctive and clever construction techniques used in this pattern is gauge-based shaping. Rather than relying solely on increases or decreases to create the flared, capelet silhouette, Mari Chiba achieves the shape by changing needle sizes throughout the pattern. As the knitter progresses through the different chart sections, progressively larger needles are introduced, which naturally opens up the fabric and creates the wider, flowing hem of the capelet. This is an elegant and technically interesting approach that results in smooth, even shaping without interrupting the lace motif.

This technique of intentional gauge shifting is a hallmark of thoughtful garment design and gives the finished piece a professional, polished drape. Knitters who enjoy construction-focused patterns will find this approach both educational and satisfying to execute.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Yaz features lace patterning worked from multiple charts — referred to in the pattern as Chart 1, Chart 2, and Chart 3 — each corresponding to a different section of the capelet and a different needle size. Lace knitting typically involves a combination of yarn overs and decreases (such as k2tog or ssk) to create decorative eyelets and openwork motifs. The result is a delicate, airy fabric that is lightweight and breathable, ideal for warm-weather wear. The use of multiple charts allows the lace pattern to transition gracefully as the gauge shifts, maintaining visual cohesion across the full length of the piece.

• Lace patterning worked from multiple charts (Chart 1, Chart 2, Chart 3)
• Knitting in the round on circular needles for a seamless finish
• Gauge-based shaping achieved by changing needle sizes across chart sections
• Yarn overs and paired decreases typical of lace construction
• Stitch markers used to delineate pattern repeats and sections

Yarn and Materials

The pattern calls for 2 balls of Juniper Moon Farm Zooey, shown in the sample in color #2 Toasted Coconut. Zooey is a DK weight yarn from Juniper Moon Farm, well-suited to delicate lace work thanks to its smooth, even construction that allows stitch definition to shine through. Three circular needle sizes are required to execute the gauge-shifting construction:

• US 2 (2.75 mm) — 24-inch circular needle
• US 3 (3.25 mm) — 32-inch circular needle, or size needed to obtain the Chart 1 gauge of