Winged Nike Cape

Winged Nike Cape by Stephanie Earp

What is Being Made

The Winged Nike Cape is a sophisticated knitted shawl designed as a versatile layering piece suitable for multiple seasons. This one-size garment features an impressive outer edge measuring 92 inches (234 cm) with a back neck measurement of 17 inches (43 cm). The design creates decorative feather elements that measure 1 inch (2.5 cm) square after blocking, giving the cape its distinctive winged appearance inspired by Nike imagery.

Knitting Techniques and Construction

This intermediate-level knitting project employs an innovative stitch pattern combined with unusual shaping techniques to achieve its striking silhouette. The cape is worked flat on long circular needles, knitted from the bottom up using two strands of yarn held together throughout the project. The construction method requires no sewing and no complicated fancy stitches, making it accessible to knitters with intermediate skills despite its impressive finished appearance. The shaping produces the characteristic wing-like extensions that define this design.

Stitches and Stitch Details

The primary stitch used in this project is garter stitch, which creates a textured, reversible fabric with excellent drape and visual interest. Garter stitch is formed by knitting every row, producing horizontal ridges that contribute to the cape's dimensional appearance. The innovative stitch pattern works in combination with the shaping techniques to create the feathered effect without requiring advanced stitch work.

Materials and Specifications

• Yarn: 2 x 100 gram skeins of Van Der Rock Yarns Merino Lace (shown in Gypsum colorway) or any comparable 2-ply lace weight yarn that achieves the correct gauge
• Needles: US 4 (3.5 mm) circular needles, 40 inches (100 cm) long or longer to accommodate the width of the project
• Gauge: 6.5 stitches and 6 rows per inch in garter stitch, measured after blocking
• Additional Notions: Pins for blocking and 4 stitch markers (2 in one color, 2 in a contrasting color) to track pattern repeats and shaping points

Pattern Notes

The pattern uses a two-strand yarn construction, which adds depth and richness to the lace weight material. Blocking is essential to achieve the correct gauge and to define the feather details, which measure precisely 1 inch (2.5 cm) square after this finishing step. The use of long circular needles accommodates the increasing stitch count as the cape expands from the neckline outward.

This downloadable PDF pattern is presented under Creative Commons Attribution/Non-Commercial License, allowing crafters to create finished objects for personal use while respecting the designer's intellectual property.