Swirly Striped Cape

By: Candace Eisner Strick for Universal Yarn

We know ponchos are trendy and functional pieces to have in your fall wardrobe, but we love them because they're just so much fun to wear. Swoop down the street in the gorgeous Swirly Striped Cape. This beautiful knit poncho pattern is warm, stylish, and conjures up day dreams about Sherlock Holmes mysteries or holding court with the Queen of England. This is a perfect project for the beginning knitter. So, the next time you take out those knitting needles, get carried away with the Swirly Striped Cape.

Beginner

Knitting Needle Size10.5 or 6.5 mm

Yarn Weight(4) Medium Weight/Worsted Weight and Aran (16-20 stitches to 4 inches)

Skill Level: Beginner
Size: Fits all
Finished Measurements:
Length: 22"
Bottom measurement: 136"

Materials:

Yarn: 5 skeins of Heathers (discontinued) (95% Wool/5% Polyamide); 214yds/196m/140g

Recommended Yarn:

Universal Yarn Deluxe LP (100% Wool), 220yds/100g
Wisdom Yarns Poems (100% Wool), 109yds/50g
Wisdom Yarns Sonnet (50% Wool, 50% Silk), 93yds/50g
US 10 1/2 (6.5 mm) needles or size needed to obtain gauge

Gauge:
10 1/2 sts and 20 rows= 4" in Garter St

Garter Stitch:
Knit every row.

Cape:
CO 10 sts, pm, *CO 13 sts, pm*, rep * to * 4 times, CO 10 sts - 72 sts (the 10 sts at beg and end of row are the center front bands; inc takes place in the 4 sections of the cape)
Row 1 (WS): Knit
Row 2 (RS): K the 10 sts of center front section, *K1, Kfb, knit to 1 st before next marker, Kfb, K1*, rep * to * 4 times, knit last 10 sts of center front section.
Rep the above 2 rows 21 times - 55 sts in each of the 4 cape sections - 240 sts total.
Work row 1.
Work the foll 4 rows 10 times - 320 sts:

Row 1: (RS): K the 10 sts of center front section, *K1, Kfb, knit to 1 st before next marker, Kfb, K1*, rep * to * 4 times, knit last 10 sts of center front section.
Rows 2, 3, and 4: Knit.
Work the foll 8 rows 3 times - 344 sts:
Row 1: (RS): K the 10 sts of center front section, *K1, Kfb, knit to 1 st before next marker, Kfb, K1*, rep * to * 4 times, knit last 10 sts of center front section.
Rows 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8: Knit.
Work the foll 12 rows 2 times - 360 sts.
Row 1: (RS): K the 10 sts of center front section, *K1, Kfb, knit to 1 st before next marker, Kfb, K1*, rep * to * 4 times, knit last 10 sts of center front section.
Rows 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12: Knit.
BO all sts very loosely.

Finishing:
You may make a buttonhole at the top of the right front band by pulling apart the sts and sewing around the opening with thread. Or you can wear your cape with a clasp or shawl pin.

Find the poncho pattern perfect for your needs. These 14 free knitting patterns will have you ready to knit for the entire family.

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genglert 1134313

May 01, 2019

I would like to make this pattern using a stockinette stitch rather than a garter stitch. It seems like this would be easy to do, but I am the Queen of "I didn't think of that". Any help would be appreciated. thanks.

Lisa

Dec 27, 2020

You could do it in stocking stitch, but it is not going to look right or turn out right because stocking stitch curls on itself. To do it you will change every other row to purl, which is also going to make the KFB from the previous row really show up and be obvious. Hope this helps, happy knitting.

bjholder 2718837

Jan 18, 2018

what does pm mean when it says cast on 10 pm?

KathrynAllison

Jan 19, 2018

Hi bjholder, "pm" refers to "place marker." Hope this helps! -Editors of AllFreeKnitting

skillicorn 8650795

Dec 24, 2017

Is this pattern available for extra large sizes? I suspect this will be too small. Somewhere I thought this said it was a medium size.

Lisa

Aug 28, 2018

This is a one size pattern, generally capes are not sized and you have the option of making it bigger if you wish.

curetoncatherine 1 640238

Dec 24, 2017

just finished cape, would have been easier to make if knew in advance the length of circular needle, maybe that information could be included in all patterns?

Lisa

Dec 27, 2017

That information would need to come from the designer, not the website hosting the pattern. Anyone who reads through the pattern and sees that there are going to be 320 stitches will quickly realize they are going to need a very long circular needle to complete the pattern.

Tricia108

Oct 11, 2017

I like the cape and I think I am going to make it but the instructions are not clear. I believe they should read Kfb, k1, move market, k1, kfb, knit row until two stitches before marker, kfb, k1. Correct me if I am wrong. Otherwise the pattern is fine. It is too bad the yarn is discontinued but I am sure you can find a substitute. This cape would be good for the office as well. It can be dressy and warm.

Lisa

Oct 20, 2017

You are correct, it has to K1, KFB, knit to 2 stitches before marker, KFB, K1, 4 times, otherwise the stitches don't work out. I'm working on this just now and I'm making it full length for a halloween costumer with a hood. If I've do everything correctly, it should come out a cloak.

Gracie

Jun 21, 2017

I love this cape and it would be fun to make it in some different types of yarn, such as a yarn with a "fur" look. My only issue with the instructions is that there is no key to the abbreviations. While I think I know what they mean, it is always safer to include a key so there is no confusion.

Lisa

Sep 09, 2018

A fur yarn would not be a good choice for this type of pattern, there are many increases that would stretch a fur yarn, leaving it vulnerable to breakage and it would shed like crazy after its completed. Keys are rarely included with pattern that use only a few basic and common abbreviations. What I suggest to my students, for their own sanity, is to print off a standard knitting abbreviation chart form the internet and laminate it until memorizing the abbreviations becomes second nature to them.

FlaminQat

Dec 12, 2014

I'm confused, can someone help me with this Row 2 (RS) K the 10 sts of center front section, K1, Kfb, knit to 1 st before next marker, Kfb, K1, rep to 4 times, knit last 10 sts of center front section. Rep the above 2 rows 21 times - 55 sts in each of the 4 cape sections - 240 sts total. Work row 1.

Lisa

Oct 20, 2017

You are repeating rows 1 and 2 until you have 55 stitches in each section. You should be aware that there are errors in this pattern-on row 2 where it instructs you to knit to 1 stitch before marker, it should be 2 stitches before marker, otherwise you can't complete the KFB and knit 1. The other error is in the math, you only repeat those 2 rows 21 times not 22, it's a 2 stitch increase till you get to 55 that starts with 13, so the repeat to increase is only 21, not 22 patterns. I know this is late, hope it helps someone.

FlaminQat

Dec 12, 2014

cstires3154 566021 5

Dec 04, 2014

I'm a fairly new knitter and have never seen the abbreviation "pm". Help! I hope I'm not taking on too much for my level. Thank you. Carol

Editor JD

Dec 05, 2014

Hi cstires3154 5660215, pms = Place marker. Hope this helps! -Editors of AllFreeKnitting

Deb Reardon

Dec 27, 2013

I finished my first swirl cape and it turned out perfect. Now I would like to make it with a lighter weight yarn and still use the 10.5 needles. Could anyone help me with the changing of the pattern? Is there a calculator for this type of altering of a pattern to fit a different size yarn? So glad I found this pattern. Thanks/Deb

Lisa

Aug 10, 2014

If you change the yarn weight, you'll have to change the needle size accordingly. There isn't really a calculator for the type of change you are trying to make, if you change the yarn and needle size, you might as well forget the pattern that's here-it simply won't work. You could make your own pattern based on your gauge swatch with the different yarn and needles.

jacarl123 3659499

Sep 17, 2013

Did you use different colors to get the striped look ?

Lisa

Aug 10, 2014

This type of verigated yarn creates the stripes in the pattern, I have 8 balls that I am saving to make this, its on the list, just haven't gotten to it yet!

sewmack

Sep 11, 2013

It's been awhile since I have knitted anything. This is rated for the "beginner". I guess I am one, since I have forgotten what "Kfb" stands for. How about a little refresher course? Thanks.

Lileepoppet 538239 5

Sep 11, 2013

KFB = knit front back It's an increase stitch. There are tons of videos on YouTube or knittinghelp.com that I have found to be lifesavers at any time of the day or night. :) Here's a link: http://www.knittinghelp.com/video/play/bar-increase-continental

esbtucker 9764493

Aug 27, 2013

The amount of yarn needed for the pattern is not clear - how many skeins of the substitute yarns are needed? Total yardage/weight?

Lisa

Sep 08, 2013

The original yarn for this pattern calls for 5 skeins at 214 yds. a skein. so the substitute yarn would need to be 1070 yds. of whichever yarn you use. 5 x 214= 1070 yds. The weight of yarn does not change when you substitute yarn, the only thing that may change is how many skeins you need, if the substitute is a different yardage. hope this helps.

dbpulido 0594270

Aug 26, 2013

This is beautiful, but do you have any suggestions for yarn that does not contain wool? I'm very allergic.

Lisa

Sep 08, 2013

I am also allergic and frequetly use acrylics as substitutes for most patterns-for this one I used Bernat Satin the first time and Caron One pound the second time. Both turned out well, but different than the picture-the satin yarn had more drape and the one pound held the shape a little more than the one in the picture. hope this helps.