Sansa's Cape

Sansa's Cape by MADuNaier

What Is Being Made

Sansa's Cape is an advanced crochet design that creates a dramatic, wearable cape or capelet. This project is available in five distinct sizes ranging from Child Small through Adult Large, making it adaptable for various body types. The design offers flexibility in length, allowing crafters to create either a shorter capelet or extend the piece for full cape coverage by adjusting where they stop during the pattern's Increase Section.

Craft and Technique Overview

This is an advanced-level crochet project designed by independent designer MADuNaier. Crochet is a fiber art technique that uses a single hook to create interlocking loops of yarn, building fabric from a foundation chain. The cape construction relies on strategic increases and shell stitch patterns to create the flowing, dimensional silhouette characteristic of a cape garment. The project requires understanding of shaping techniques and the ability to work across multiple rows while maintaining consistent gauge.

Stitches and Techniques Used

The pattern employs several fundamental and intermediate crochet stitches:

• Chain stitch (ch): The foundation stitch used to begin the project and create chain spaces throughout
• Single crochet (sc): A basic short stitch used for structure and joining
• Double crochet (dc): A taller stitch that creates the primary fabric texture
• Slip stitch (sl-st): Used to join rounds or secure stitches without adding height
• Shell stitch: A decorative stitch pattern that forms the visual foundation of the cape, with each shell measuring 3.5 inches using the recommended gauge
• Dc3tog (double crochet 3 together): An advanced decrease technique that combines three double crochet stitches into one, creating shaping and tapering effects essential to the cape's drape

The pattern uses chain spaces (ch-sp) to create openwork sections and incorporates turning chains (tch) at the start of previous rows for proper stitch construction.

Materials Required

Crochet hooks: This project requires two hook sizes for optimal results. A size I hook (5.50mm) and a size J hook (6.00mm) are specified, allowing crafters to adjust tension and fabric density as needed.

Yarn: Sansa's Cape is worked with Chunky or Heavy Worsted weight yarn. The yardage requirement ranges from 700 to 1300 yards depending on the selected size, with Child Small requiring less yardage and Adult Large requiring the maximum. Crafters using thinner yarn that results in a tighter gauge should compensate by working a larger size in the pattern to achieve the intended finished dimensions. A yarn sewing needle is needed for weaving in ends and finishing the garment.

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern specifies a gauge of one shell equaling 3.5 inches when worked with a size J (6.00mm) hook. This measurement is critical for achieving the correct finished size. Five size options are provided: Child Small, Child Large, Adult Small, Adult Medium, and Adult Large, ensuring the cape can be customized to fit different wearers.

Pattern Structure

The cape is constructed using an Increase Section that builds the width and volume of the garment. Crafters have the option to stop at Shell Row 4 anywhere within the Increase Section to create a shorter capelet, or continue through the Additional Length Section for a full-length cape. This modular approach allows customization of the final garment length based on personal preference.