If you’re looking for a cozy layering piece that is simple to knit but looks beautiful and polished, the Alpine Knitting Cape is exactly that!
This is a beginner friendly knitting pattern designed to be easy, relaxing and fun to make. It uses garter stitch to create a soft, textured fabric and it’s finished with a clean i-cord edge that gives it that smooth, modern touch.
It’s effortless, simple knit layering piece, easy to customize in length and fit, and one of those pieces you will reach for again and again.
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The Alpine Cape is one of those pieces you’ll find yourself reaching for all the time.
If you work a desk job, it’s perfect to keep draped over your shoulders when the office feels a little cold. It keeps you warm without feeling bulky or getting in the way while you type or move around.
At home, it’s the coziest layer to throw on while you sip your coffee, crochet on the couch or wind down in the evening. And when you head out, it instantly elevates a simple outfit and makes it feel put together, without trying too hard.
It’s comfort and style all in one!
Not ready to knit yet? Pin this image and crochet later!
About the yarn 🧶
For this cape, I chose to use Hue + Me by Lion Brand Yarn, and honestly, it couldn’t be a more perfect match. This yarn is bulky-weight, which means you get that wonderfully chunky, cozy texture and it works up so fast (which is especially great if you’re excited to wear your cape ASAP!).
One of the things I love most about Hue + Me is how amazing it looks after washing and blocking. The stitches relax, and the yarn gets incredibly soft. The result is a cape that feels substantial and warm, but also soft to the touch and drapey in all the right ways.
Size and Customization
The Alpine Cape is designed to have a relaxed and comfortable fit that works beautifully on so many body types.
One of my favourite things about this pattern is how easy it is to adjust. You can simply knit more or fewer rows to change the length, whether you want something shorter and lightweight or longer and extra cozy. The width can also be adjusted by adding or subtracting stitches at the beginning, making it easy to create the exact fit you prefer.
It’s a very forgiving project, which makes it perfect for beginners and so fun to personalize to your own style.
For more exact details on how to adjust your size, continue reading this post!
Skills You Need
This is truly the perfect beginner knitting project.
If you know how to knit and purl, you can make this cape. There are no complicated techniques, no special or fancy stitches to learn, just straightforward stitches worked in a relaxing rhythm.
It’s a great pattern if you’re newer to knitting and want something that looks impressive but feels completely manageable. Simple stitches, beautiful texture, and a project you can confidently finish.
If you would like the ad-free printable pattern PDF, you can get it from Etsy or My Shop. If you would like to purchase the kit (yarn+pattern) you can do so from the Lion Brand Website.
Check out more knitting patterns
Stitches you should know
- Cast on
- Knit stitch
- Purl stitch
- Bind Off
Yarn
Bulky weight yarn #5.
I used Hue + Me by Lion Brand in the colour Macchiato. 640g/640m
Notions
Gauge
Stockinette stitch 4”x4”= 10 stitches x 15 rows using 8 mm knitting needles.
Abbreviations
- co – Cast On
- k – Knit
- p – Purl
- RS – Right Side
- WS – Wrong Side
- [] – Repeat sequence in brackets
- St(s) – Stitch(es)
General Notes
- You will need to wash or block your cape to achieve the correct fit and drape. If you skip this step, the cape will appear noticeably smaller, especially when using the same yarn I used.
- You can modify the width and length of this cape, see instructions on page 2.
- The back panel is worked from the bottom up and the front panels are worked from top to bottom, so the pattern for the front panels will be reversed, pay attention to that.
Measurements
Cape size after lightly blocking: 32″ wide x 25″ long.
Each front panel measures 15″ wide x 25″ long.
How to Modify This Cape
To customize the size of your cape, start by measuring from shoulder to shoulder. Then add 5 to 6 inches on each side so the shoulders have that nice dropped look and the cape has the right width.
There is no specific stitch count required for this pattern. Any number of stitches will work.
Once you have your stitch count, knit the back panel as written in the pattern. When you reach the solid section, and before separating for the front panels, you can add as many extra rows as you’d like to achieve your desired length. Just make sure to write down how many additional rows you knit so you can add the same number to the front panels later.
When it’s time to separate for the front panels, no matter how many stitches you started with, leave 3 to 4 stitches for the neckline. The exact number will make more sense once you divide your stitches. The key is that both front panels must have the same number of stitches. Leaving 3, 4, or even 5 stitches for the neckline will work well depending on your total stitch count.
Then continue knitting the front panels as instructed in the pattern. If you added extra rows to the back panel, make sure to knit the same number of rows on each front panel so everything matches perfectly.
And that’s it.
Working i-cord all the way throughout this cape
To create the i-cord edge, work across the row as instructed until you reach the last 3 stitches. Slip these last 3 stitches purl-wise with the yarn held in front of your work.
On the next row, knit these 3 stitches as indicated in the pattern.
Repeat this on every row. Slipping the last 3 stitches with the yarn in front creates a smooth, rounded i-cord edge that looks like a little tube running along the side of your cape.
Pattern
Back Panel
Using the long tail cast-on method, cast on 90 sts
Begin by working 5 rows in garter stitch as follow:
Row 1 (RS): knit to the last 3 sts on your needles, slip the last 3 sts purl-wise with yarn in front. (90 sts in total)
Row 2 (WS): knit to the last 3 sts on your needles, slip the last 3 sts purl-wise with yarn in front. (90 sts in total)
Rows 3-5: Work as row 2
Work 6 rows in stockinette as follow:
Row 6 (WS): knit the first 3 sts, then p to the last 3 sts, then slip the last 3 sts purl-wise with yarn in front.
Row 7: (RS): knit to the last 3 sts on your needles, slip the last 3 sts purl-wise with yarn in front.
Row 8: Work as row 6
Row 9: Work as row 7
Row 10: Work as row 6
Row 11: Work as row 7
Work 6 rows in garter stitch as follow:
Row 12 (WS): knit to the last 3 sts on your needles, slip the last 3 sts purl-wise with yarn in front.
Rows 13-17: Work as row 12
Work 2 rows in stockinette as follow:
Row 18 (WS): knit the first 3 sts, then p to the last 3 sts, then slip the last 3 sts purl-wise with yarn in front.
Row 19 (RS): knit to the last 3 sts on your needles, slip the last 3 sts purl-wise with yarn in front.
Now work 4 rows of garter stitch as follow:
Row 20 (WS): knit to the last 3 sts on your needles, slip the last 3 sts purl-wise with yarn in front.
Rows 21-23: Work as row 20
Work 6 rows in stockinette as follow:
Row 24 (WS): knit the first 3 sts, then p to the last 3 sts, then slip the last 3 sts purl-wise with yarn in front.
Row 25: (RS): knit to the last 3 sts on your needles, slip the last 3 sts purl-wise with yarn in front.
Row 26: Work as row 24
Row 27: Work as row 25
Row 28: Work as row 24
Row 29: Work as row 25
Work 14 rows in garter stitch as follow:
Row 30 (WS): knit to the last 3 sts on your needles, slip the last 3 sts purl-wise with yarn in front.
Rows 31-43: Work as row 30
Now work 2 rows of stockinette as follow:
Row 44 (WS): knit the first 3 sts, then p to the last 3 sts, then slip the last 3 sts purl-wise with yarn in front.
Row 45 (RS): knit to the last 3 sts on your needles, slip the last 3 sts purl-wise with yarn in front.
Work 2 rows of garter stitch as follow:
Row 46 (WS): knit to the last 3 sts on your needles, slip the last 3 sts purl-wise with yarn in front.
Rows 47: Work as row 46
Last, work 59 rows of stockinette as follow:
Row 48 (WS): knit the first 3 sts, then p to the last 3 sts, then slip the last 3 sts purl-wise with yarn in front.
Row 49: (RS): knit to the last 3 sts on your needles, slip the last 3 sts purl-wise with yarn in front.
Now alternate rows 48 and 49 until row 106 (you will end the back panel after completing a purl row)
Do not bind off, continue to front panels.
Front Panels
The front will be divided into two panels. Each panel has 43 stitches, plus 4 stitches in the centre for the neckline.
Keep 43 stitches on your needle for the first panel and place all remaining stitches onto a spare cable or scrap yarn.
We’ll begin on the right side of your work, making the right front panel as it would be worn.
Work 59 rows in stockinette as follow:
Row 1 (RS): knit to the last 3 sts on your needles, slip the last 3 sts purl-wise with yarn in front. (43 sts in total)
Row 2 (WS): knit the first 3 sts, then p to the last 3 sts, then slip the last 3 sts purl-wise with yarn in front. (43 sts in total)
Now alternate rows 1 and 2 until row 59
Now work 2 rows of garter stitch as follow:
Row 60 (WS): knit to the last 3 sts on your needles, slip the last 3 sts purl-wise with yarn in front.
Rows 61: Work as row 60
Work 2 rows of stockinette as follow:
Row 62 (WS): knit the first 3 sts, then p to the last 3 sts, then slip the last 3 sts purl-wise with yarn in front.
Row 63 (RS): knit to the last 3 sts on your needles, slip the last 3 sts purl-wise with yarn in front.
Work 14 rows in garter stitch as follow:
Row 64 (WS): knit to the last 3 sts on your needles, slip the last 3 sts purl-wise with yarn in front.
Rows 65-77: Work as row 64
Now work 6 rows in stockinette as follow:
Row 78 (WS): knit the first 3 sts, then p to the last 3 sts, then slip the last 3 sts purl-wise with yarn in front.
Row 79: (RS): knit to the last 3 sts on your needles, slip the last 3 sts purl-wise with yarn in front.
Row 80: Work as row 78
Row 81: Work as row 79
Row 82: Work as row 78
Row 83: Work as row 79
Now work 4 rows of garter stitch as follow:
Row 84 (WS): knit to the last 3 sts on your needles, slip the last 3 sts purl-wise with yarn in front.
Rows 85-87: Work as row 84
Work 2 rows in stockinette as follow:
Row 88 (WS): knit the first 3 sts, then p to the last 3 sts, then slip the last 3 sts purl-wise with yarn in front.
Row 89 (RS): knit to the last 3 sts on your needles, slip the last 3 sts purl-wise with yarn in front.
Work 6 rows in garter stitch as follow:
Row 90 (WS): knit to the last 3 sts on your needles, slip the last 3 sts purl-wise with yarn in front.
Rows 91-95: Work as row 90
Work 6 rows in stockinette as follow:
Row 96 (WS): knit the first 3 sts, then p to the last 3 sts, then slip the last 3 sts purl-wise with yarn in front.
Row 97: (RS): knit to the last 3 sts on your needles, slip the last 3 sts purl-wise with yarn in front.
Row 98: Work as row 96
Row 99: Work as row 97
Row 100: Work as row 96
Row 101: Work as row 97
Last, work 5 rows in garter stitch as follow:
Row 102 (WS): knit to the last 3 sts on your needles, slip the last 3 sts purl-wise with yarn in front.
Rows 103-106: Work as row 102
Bind off leaving a 8 inch tail to weave in the ends.
For the second front panel, transfer the stitches that were on hold back onto your working needles.
Attach your yarn from the right side of your work, right next to the right front panel. Leave an 8 inch tail, then bind off 4 stitches to create the neckline. (See picture below)
You should now have 43 stitches on your needles, just like you did for the right panel.
Repeat the same instructions to complete the left front panel.
Finishing up
Use the tail at the neckline to close the small gap you’ll notice between the neckline and the right front panel.
Then use the tail at the end of each front panel to fold and close the little i-cord edge, so it matches the rest and looks like a smooth tube.
Weave in all ends.
Steam or wash your cape to achieve your desired look and drape.
FAQ
Is the Alpine Cape beginner friendly?
Yes. The Alpine Cape was designed with beginners in mind. If you know how to knit and purl, you can make this project. The pattern uses simple stitches and straightforward construction, making it a great introduction to garment-style knitting.
Is the cape knit in the round or flat?
The Alpine Cape is worked flat. You begin by knitting the back panel, then separate the stitches to create the two front panels with a few stitches in between for the neckline. The front panels are then worked separately.
Can I adjust the length of the cape?
Yes. The length is very easy to adjust. You can simply knit more or fewer rows to make the cape longer or shorter depending on your preference.
What yarn weight is used for the Alpine Cape?
The Alpine Cape uses a chunky weight yarn, which helps the project knit up quickly and gives the cape a cozy, structured look.
How long does it take to knit the Alpine Cape?
Because the pattern uses chunky yarn and simple stitches, it works up fairly quickly. Many knitters can complete it over a few relaxing evenings.
Is this a good project to knit as a gift?
Absolutely. The Alpine Cape makes a beautiful handmade gift. Its timeless style and cozy feel make it perfect for fall and winter wear.
What skills do I need to knit this pattern?
This pattern uses basic knitting techniques such as knit stitches, purl stitches, and simple shaping. It’s a great project for beginners who want to build confidence while making a wearable piece.
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