by Kathleen Dames

I love cables and sweaters - the more the better! But sometimes I want something a little different: a focus on a single, intriguing cable (Tangled Ropes) and a shape that isn't complex but is more than just a tube.

Caught in the Rigging cape + cowl are the perfect combination of pattern and shape. The cowl, while keeping your neck warm, also serves as your swatch. The cape sits nicely on your shoulders thanks to its raglan shaping.

Separated increases and decreases in the body portion cause the fabric flanking the cables to bias, adding textural interest. Worked from the top, down, you are free to make this cape as long as you like. Just don't get caught in the rigging!

SIZE
Cowl: One size

Cape: Women's XS[S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X]
(shown in size L)

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
COWL
Height: 6.25 inches
Circumference: 18 inches

CAPE
Circumference: 32.5[37.5, 44.5, 48, 53.25, 58.5, 63.5] inches
Length: 19[19.5, 20, 20.5, 21, 21.5, 22] inches

This garment is sleeveless. To determine fit, measure around the fullest part of your bust and your upper arms (you'll need a friend to help). This is likely about 1/3 bigger than your bust circumference. Choose a size with 2-3 inches of positive ease compared to that full circumference measurement.

MATERIALS
Yarn
MissBabs Yowza Whatta Skein! [100% Superwash Merino; 560 yds/512 m per 226g skein]; color: Oyster; 2[2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3] skeins

Cowl requires approx. 48 g/120 yds
Cape requires approx. 220[260, 310, 340, 380, 425, 470] g/550[640, 765, 835, 940, 1050, 1165] yds

Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below — every knitter's gauge is unique]
16-inch US #6/4mm
32-40 inch US #6/4mm circular needles

Notions
cable needle
stitch markers of a few different colors or styles
yarn needle

GAUGE
20 sts/30 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch

PATTERN NOTES
[Knitty's list of standard abbreviations and techniques can be found here.]

On the cowl, I worked the garter-stitch hems on 10% fewer stitches to curb the flare caused by the cable pattern, but on the cape, I liked the subtle waves the cables added to the hem and collar. Over the longer length of the cape, the cables don't pull in the fabric as dramatically as on the cowl, since there is lots more fabric to begin with.

I only worked the cable pattern once on the cowl because I don't like how the cable looks on the wrong side, which you might see when wearing the cowl, but it's knitter's choice to add a second cable repeat, in which case I recommend this set up rnd: *K22, work rnd 1 of Tangled Ropes; repeat from * once more.

Watch out for the cable crosses in rounds 10 and 26: some knit stitches become purl stitches and vice versa.

m1-l: make one stitch by placing a backwards loop of yarn over the right needle
m1-r: make one stitch by placing a backwards loop (reverse of m1-l) of yarn over the right needle

T3/1L: Slip next 3 sts to cable needle and hold in front of work; p1, then k3 from cable needle.
T3/1R: Slip next st to cable needle and hold in back of work; k3, then p1 from cable needle.
T3/2L: Slip next 3 sts to cable needle and hold in front of work; p2, then k3 from cable needle.
T3/2R: Slip next 2 sts to cable needle and hold in back of work; k3, then p2 from cable needle.
T6L: Slip next 3 sts to cable needle and hold in front of work; p3, then k3 from cable needle.
T6R: Slip next 3 sts to cable needle and hold in back of work; k3, then p3 from cable needle.
C6L: Slip next 3 sts to cable needle and hold in front of work; k3, then k3 from cable needle.
C6R: Slip next 3 sts to cable needle and hold in back of work; k3, then k3 from cable needle.

DIRECTIONS
COWL
With shorter needle, CO 90 sts. Do not join.

Knit 7 rows.
Next row [RS]: [K9, m1] 10 times. 100 sts.

Place marker and join to work in the rnd, being careful not to twist

Set up round: K36, work rnd 1 of Tangled Ropes chart, k36.

Work even in patts as set until chart is complete

Next round: [K8, k2tog] around. 90 sts.

P one round.
K one round.
Repeat the last two rounds three more times.

BO purlwise.

CAPE
With shorter needle, CO 100 sts.
Knit 8 rows.

Place a distinct marker and join to work in the rnd, being careful not to twist

Shape shoulders:
Round 1, place markers for shoulders & increases: K1, place first increase marker, k1, place second increase marker, k9, place cable marker, work rnd 1 of Tangled Ropes, k9, place third increase marker, k1, place fourth increase marker, k1, pm a second distinct marker for side, k1, place fifth increase marker, k1, place sixth increase marker, k9, place cable marker, work rnd 1 of Tangled Ropes, k9, place seventh increase marker, k1, place eighth increase marker, k1.

Round 2, increase: [K to first increase m, m1-l, slm, k1, slm, m1-r, k to cable marker, work cable as set, k to third increase marker, m1-l, slm, k1, slm, m1-r, k to side marker; k to fifth increase marker, m1-l, slm, k1, slm, m1-r, k to cable marker, work cable as set, k to seventh increase marker m1-l, slm, k1, slm, m1-r, k to end of round. 8 sts increased.

Round 3: Work even in pattern as set.

Repeat Rounds 2 & 3 9[12, 15, 19, 22, 25, 28] more times, ending with an even round. 180[204, 228, 260, 284, 308, 332] sts

Switch to longer needle when sts will no longer fit comfortably on smaller needle.

Body
Round 1: [K to second increase m, slm, m1-r, k to 2 sts before first cable marker, k2tog, work cable as set, ssk, k to third increase marker, m1-l, slm, k to side marker; k to sixth increase marker, slm, , m1-r, k to 2 sts before cable pattern, k2tog, work cable as set, ssk, k to seventh increase marker, m1-l slm, k to end of round.

Round 2: Work even in pattern as set.

Repeat last 2 rounds until piece measures 17[17.5, 18, 18.5, 19, 19.5, 20] inches (or one inch less than desired length) from collar.

P one round.

K one round.

Repeat the last two rounds three more times.

BO purlwise.

FINISHING
Sew up garter hems. Weave in all ends. Block.

Inspired by the novels of Jane Austen, the genius of Elizabeth Zimmermann, and the stitch patterns of Barbara Walker, Kathleen Dames knits and designs in New York City. Her designs are modern, romantic, and knitterly, for patterns you'll love to knit and knits you'll wear to fall in love.

You can find more of her designs on her website and on Ravelry.