"Linnea Capelet" - Cape Knitting Pattern For Women in MillaMia Naturally Soft Aran

Linnea Capelet – Cable Knitting Pattern for Women by MillaMia

The Linnea Capelet is a beautifully crafted women's cape knitting pattern from MillaMia, designed to be an elegant yet practical layering piece. Worked in a rich combination of ribbing and honeycomb stitch, this capelet is the perfect accessory to drape over an outfit when the first hints of an autumn breeze arrive. It is a one-size design, measuring approximately 80cm (31½in) in circumference and 40cm (15¾in) in depth with the collar unfolded, making it a generous, wrap-around silhouette that suits a wide range of body types.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a women's capelet — a short, collar-like cape that sits over the shoulders and upper body. Unlike a full-length cape or poncho, a capelet is a compact, refined garment that adds warmth and style without bulk. The Linnea Capelet features a fold-over collar, adding a classic, structured finish to the neckline. It is categorised within the capes and ponchos project family and is an ideal project for knitters looking to expand their skills with textured stitch patterns.

Techniques Used

• Worked flat: The capelet is knitted flat on straight needles rather than in the round, meaning the fabric is worked back and forth in rows. This approach is common for capelets and shawl-style garments, giving the knitter full control over shaping and stitch placement.
• Cable knitting: Cables are a central technique in this pattern, creating the signature twisted and interlocking textures that give the Linnea Capelet its visual depth and tactile richness. A cable needle is required to hold stitches at the front or back of the work while others are knitted, creating the characteristic crossed appearance.
• Honeycomb stitch: The honeycomb stitch is a classic cable-based texture that creates a repeating, cell-like pattern resembling a honeycomb. It is formed by alternating cable crosses on successive repeats, producing a dense, structured fabric with excellent drape and warmth.
• Ribbing: Ribbing is used in combination with the honeycomb stitch, providing elasticity and a neat, polished finish — particularly suited to the collar and edges of the capelet.
• Cross 3 Front (Cr3F): A specific cable technique used in this pattern. It involves slipping the next stitch onto a cable needle and holding it at the front of the work, purling 2 stitches, then knitting the held stitch from the cable needle. This creates a defined diagonal cross that contributes to the honeycomb texture.

Stitches Used

• Stocking stitch (stockinette stitch): Used as the base tension reference, with a gauge of 18 stitches and 25 rows to a 10cm (4in) square on 5mm needles.
• Honeycomb cable pattern: The primary decorative stitch, giving the capelet its signature textured surface. Gauge over pattern is 24 stitches and 25 rows to a 10cm (4in) square on 5mm needles.
• Ribbing: Used for structural and decorative purposes, particularly around the collar area.
• Cross 3 Front (Cr3F): A specialised cable cross stitch defined within the pattern's abbreviations.

Materials Required

• Yarn: Six 50g (1¾oz) balls of MillaMia Naturally Soft Aran in Dusk (220). This is an aran-weight yarn, offering the ideal combination of stitch definition and softness for cable work.
• Needles: A pair of 4.5mm (US 7) needles and a pair of 5mm (US 8) needles are required, allowing for different tensions across sections of the garment.
• Cable needle: Essential for executing the cable and cross stitches throughout the pattern.

Suggested Alternative Colourways