Pattern: DROPS 116-19
I love capes. Ever since I saw the pictures from the spring runway shows, I knew I wanted a cape for fall this season. Yes, they are impractical. Yes, they trigger images of super heroes or Little Red Riding Hood. But damn it all, I wanted a cape this year come hook or by crook. And why buy one when you can make one?
My initial plan was to make the Not-a-Poncho City Cape by Wendy Bernard. It had all the elements of the RTW capes I had seen in stores, with the slits for arm-holes and a chunky ribbed collar. When I went to my LYS Gather Here, Virginia unfortunately did not have the amount of gray Eco Wool that I needed. Which was probably just as well; I don’t think I would have been brave enough to rock a giant knitted cape like I originally thought. So instead I scrolled through my Ravelry queue and found a little DROPS cape pattern that I liked and some chunky gray yarn at the store that fit the bill.
I modified the amount of stitches I needed to cast on since my gauge was smaller on the needles I used (US 17 instead of 19). The rest of the pattern was followed exactly, except I knitted the collar ribbing to 6″ instead of 8″ – it just seemed like it would be too much collar if I knit it to that length.
I also used two buttons I had in my stash instead of three like the pattern calls for. I like the open look just two buttons creates, and the ribbed collar has more of a sailor collar effect than a traditional fold-over collar.
I wore this to work this week since it’s been chilly in the building (seriously, is the AC still on??), but I probably will only wear it around the apartment in the coming months even though I got comments at work on how cute it looks. It’s like a little woolly blanket that fastens around your shoulders and stays in place. As much as I love how it looks, it doesn’t replace the warmth and functionality of a coat.
At least I’ve gotten my cape-lust out of my system now.