Shirred Capelet
These are general guidelines rather than a stitch-by-stitch pattern. Don't worry overmuch about your gauge, it's an easy fit. This capelet takes 3 skeins of Angora Cottage hand-painted Alpaca/Angora/Wool yarn (750 yards) and a size 8 needle. (pictured in OCEAN)
Gauge: 15 st over 5" in the lace pattern. The capelet measures 18" from neck edge to lower edge and 32" along the neck edge.
Pattern stitch-
Multiple of 6 stitches over 4 rows
Row 1: K3, YO, SL 2 tog knitwise, K1, psso, YO
Row 2 and 4: Purl
Row 3: YO, SL 2 tog knitwise, K1, psso, YO, K3
Here we go-
Using your favorite provisional method, cast-on 58 stitches.
Row 1: K5, work 48 st in pattern, K5
Row 2: K5, purl to 48, K5
Row 3: K5, work 48 st in pattern, K5
Row 4: K5, purl 48, K5
This gives you borders in garter stitch of 5 st, with 48 stitches in pattern in between. If you want less distance between the top and bottom edges, simply cast on fewer 6-st repeats of the pattern.
Work even for a length about equal to the distance from one bra strap across your back to the other strap. End with a wrong-side row.
Next comes the short-row shaping that makes the capelet lay flat around your neck with enough flare to fit over your shoulders and around your body. See NOTE below on short rows.
K5, wrap and turn, knit back to what will be the lower edge. Work back across approximately 1/3 of your stitches, wrap and turn, work back to the lower edge. Repeat this short row, turning on the same stitch as before. Now work about 2/3 of the way across, wrap and turn, work back to the edge. Repeat this short row, turning on the same stitch as before. Do 1 more short row, turning on the first stitch of your garter stitch border at the neck edge. Work back to the lower edge. Now work all the way across in pattern and back to the lower edge. You've just made a pie-shaped wedge that has added 2 rows to your neck edge and 14 rows to the outer edge. You'll continue this short-row process until it's time for the button bands, so keep repeating this paragraph.
As you work, you'll notice your piece acquiring a curve on one side. Drape it around yourself every now again and you'll see how the shape is developing. Work until you think you're "about" to the center. Thread your stitches onto a string for now.
Pick up the stitches from your provisional cast-on and start working from the shoulder around to the front. You'll need to make 1 extra stitch somewhere to bring your count back up to 58. Echo the short-row shaping you did before and work the second side to match the first.
Now it's decision time. Drape the capelet around yourself and look in the mirror. Slide the stitches together on the string and on the knitting needle to gather the ends of your knitting. Allow about a 2-inch space between the two ends of the capelet for the front bands. Is the circumference enough to drape nicely about your shoulders? You might want to add a bit more to each end to suit your body. Once you've got the length right, it's time for the garter stitch front bands.
From the RS:
Work 1 row as established, but omit the YO's. This will decrease about 16 stitches.
Knit back on the WS.
K5, K2tog to the last 5 st, K5.
K6, K2tog to the last 6 st, K6.
On the remaining 20 stitches, knit 8 more rows.
Bind off. (If you have a few more or fewer than 20 stitches, don't worry.)
Repeat on the other front end.
Sew on your clasps, and darn in the ends. Steam lightly if you desire.
If you prefer buttons to clasps, work buttonholes on the right-hand end appropriate to your chosen buttons.
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