Victorian Mantelet

Victorian Mantelet by MADuNaier

What is Being Made

The Victorian Mantelet is a crocheted cape-style garment designed to evoke historical Victorian fashion. This project creates a draped shoulder piece that functions as a decorative mantelet—a short cloak or shawl-like covering worn over the shoulders. The design is offered in multiple size options with coordinating collar variations, allowing crafters to customize the finished dimensions to their preferences.

Garment Specifications

Finished Sizes: The Extra Large model measures approximately 18 inches deep and 80 inches wide at the bottom edge, with adjustable length and width options throughout the pattern. The Medium size with Mini Collar offers a more compact alternative. Both length and width are variable as desired, giving makers flexibility in the final silhouette.

Crochet Techniques and Stitches

This intermediate-level project employs fundamental crochet techniques combined with shaping methods suitable for garment construction. The pattern utilizes a range of essential stitches to build structure and drape:

• Chain stitch (ch): The foundation stitch used to begin the project and create chain spaces throughout
• Single crochet stitch (sc): A tight, dense stitch used for structural elements and edging
• Double crochet stitch (dc): The primary stitch used for the body of the mantelet, worked at a gauge of 20 double crochets equaling 4 inches
• Half double crochet (hdc): Created by yarning over, inserting the hook into a stitch, yarning over and pulling up a loop, then yarning over and pulling through all three loops on the hook
• Slip stitch (sl-st): Used to join rounds and connect sections seamlessly
• Decrease techniques: The pattern includes dc2tog (double crochet two together) and dc3tog (double crochet three together) decreases, which reduce multiple stitches into one to shape the garment and create tailored fit
• Chain spaces (ch-sp): Openwork elements created by chaining over stitches to add texture and visual interest

Materials and Yarn

The Victorian Mantelet accommodates various yarn weights and fiber contents, as demonstrated by the two color-coordinated models included in the pattern.

Model A (Dark Red, Extra Large with Large Collar): This version requires 1100 yards of Malabrigo Arroyo DK weight yarn in colorway 049 Jupiter. The DK (double knitting) weight provides a balanced drape suitable for the mantelet's flowing silhouette.

Model B (Purplish Grey, Medium with Mini Collar): This alternative uses 840 yards of Bittersweet Woolery Ingenue DK weight yarn in three coordinating colors: Crinoline, Crinoline Multi, and Bramble. The use of multiple colorways creates visual depth and pattern variation across the garment.

Tools Required

Crafters will need a size G (4.00 mm) crochet hook to work this project at the specified gauge. The hook size is essential for achieving the correct fabric density and ensuring the finished mantelet drapes as intended.

Skill Level

This project is rated as intermediate difficulty, making it suitable for crocheters with foundational stitch knowledge who are ready to tackle garment shaping and sizing adjustments. The combination of basic stitches with decrease techniques and the need to manage multiple sizes and collar options requires moderate crochet experience.