Alice Cape

Alice Cape by Sonya

Project Overview

The Alice Cape is a beginner-friendly crochet shawl designed as a downloadable PDF pattern by Sonya. This elegant neck piece combines classic crochet construction with decorative stitch work to create a wearable accessory with a finished neck diameter of 20 inches and a length of 10 inches.

What Is Being Made

The Alice Cape is a crescent-shaped shawl or cape that drapes from the neck. It features an expanding construction that begins with a foundation chain and increases in width through strategic stitch placement, creating a graceful silhouette suitable for layering over shoulders and upper body.

Crochet Techniques Used

This pattern employs fundamental crochet techniques appropriate for beginners while incorporating decorative elements. The construction begins with a foundation chain and progresses through basic row-by-row shaping. The design uses stitch increases to expand the piece from the initial 100 stitches to 151 stitches, creating the characteristic cape shape. The pattern also incorporates openwork sections with chain spaces that add visual interest and drape to the finished piece. A crab stitch finish—worked from left to right using double crochet—provides a decorative edge detail.

Stitches Used

• Chain stitch (ch): Used for foundation and throughout the pattern to create spaces and shaping
• Double crochet (dc): Foundational stitch used in the initial rows and openwork sections
• Treble crochet (tr): Primary stitch used for the body of the cape, creating height and drape
• Slip stitch (ss): Used for joining and finishing
• Crab stitch: A reverse single crochet variation worked left to right, used for the decorative edge finish

Materials and Tools

The Alice Cape is worked using 4-ply weight yarn, specifically 100 grams of Patons Cotton 4ply, which provides a lightweight and breathable fabric ideal for a shoulder-worn accessory. A 2.50mm crochet hook is used throughout the pattern. The gauge is 24 treble crochets by 8 rows equaling 4 inches by 4 inches, which helps ensure proper sizing and drape. Optional finishing touches include a ribbon or brooch to secure the cape at the neck.

Pattern Structure

The pattern begins with a foundation chain of 101 stitches. The first row establishes 100 double crochets, which are then converted to treble crochets in row 2. Rows 3 and 4 maintain the stitch count with treble crochets. Row 5 introduces increases by working 2 trebles in selected stitches, expanding the piece to 150 stitches. Rows 6 through 8 maintain this expanded width. Row 9 adds one additional stitch for a total of 151 stitches. Row 10 introduces the openwork pattern with chain spaces, treble crochets, and double crochets creating a lacy texture. Row 11 continues the openwork pattern with 5-treble groups separated by chain-3 spaces and double crochets in chain-2 spaces, establishing the decorative drape section of the cape.