DIY Crocheted Cape

Every extra skein of yarn adds an order of drama to a cape.

A crocheted cape can be trim and smart, retro and funky or dated and frumpy. Choose a yarn with some character and a simple crochet stitch and work in one piece from the neckline to the hem. Buttons to close the front add a finishing touch to take your cape in the direction you choose.

Things You'll Need

• 500 yards worsted-weight yarn
• Size I (5.5 mm) crochet hook
• 3 buttons, 1 1/2 inch diameter
• Hand-sewing needle
• Button & carpet thread

Instructions

1. Make a foundation chain of 101 stitches. Work five rows in single crochet. Chain 2 and turn.

2. Work 4 half-double crochet to establish the front placket. Alternate single and double crochet across the next 25 stitches. Make 5 half-double crochet to establish the shoulder. Alternate single and double crochet for another 30 stitches across the back. Make 5 half-double crochet, 25 stitches in the alternating pattern, and the last five stitches in half-double crochet. Chain 2 and turn.

3. Work 10 rows to the shoulder line: Keep the first and last five stitches in each row in half-double crochet. In the pattern sections, work double crochet where the preceding row had a single crochet, and single crochet where the preceding row had a double crochet. Increase three stitches in each of the half-double-crochet panels along the shoulder by working two stitches in the first, middle and last stitches of the panel.

4. Work the length of the cape, maintaining the front plackets and pattern panels, but increase just one stitch in the middle of each side panel of half-double crochet.

5. Work the last five rows even in single crochet to match the neckline.

6. Sew the three buttons to one front edge, as close as possible to the edge. Place the first button just below the single-crochet neckline and leave 2 inches between buttons.

7. Line up the two front plackets. Attach yarn to the buttonhole side at a spot even with one edge of each button in turn and make a chain 2 inches long. Slip stitch the end of the chain to the same placket edge, even with the other side of that button.

Tips & Warnings

• If you make the cape longer than wrist length, make slits 5 or 6 inches long at elbow height. This requires working each of the three pattern-stitch sections separately for the length of the slit, then rejoining them at the bottom.

• Instead of using buttons, make ties to close the cape by extending the beginning chain by 50 or more stitches on each end and working the five rows in single crochet.

Resources

• Craft Yarn Council Learning Center: Getting Started