The Frostpeak Cabled Cape: A Free Knitting Pattern for a Cozy, Textured Hooded Cape

Wrap Yourself in Warmth: The Frostpeak Cabled Cape

There's something magical about a hand-knit cape—it's the perfect blend of a blanket and a garment, offering warmth without restriction. The Frostpeak Cabled Cape is a modern interpretation of this classic silhouette, featuring bold, symmetrical cable panels that create a rich, textured surface reminiscent of a Nordic winter landscape. Made with thick, creamy worsted weight yarn, this A-line shaped cape widens gracefully from the neck to the hem, and a deep, cozy hood completes the look. Whether you're curled up by the fire or stepping out into a chilly evening, this free knitting pattern will guide you through creating a luxurious, heirloom-quality piece.

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather the following supplies. The pattern uses worsted weight (aran) yarn, which is widely available and perfect for creating defined cables.

• Yarn: Approximately 1200-1400 yards of worsted weight (aran) yarn. The sample uses Lion Brand Wool-Ease in 'Fisherman' (color A) and 'Oatmeal' (color B).
• Needles: US Size 8 (5.0 mm) circular knitting needles (32-inch or longer) for the cape body, and US Size 8 (5.0 mm) double-pointed needles for hood shaping.
• Notions: Cable needle, stitch markers, tapestry needle for weaving in ends.
• Gauge: 18 stitches and 24 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch (blocked). The cable panel (12 stitches) measures 2.5 inches wide. Always check your gauge for best results.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Abbreviations

CO = cast on, K = knit, P = purl, st(s) = stitch(es), RS = right side, WS = wrong side, C4B = cable 4 back (slip 2 sts to cable needle, hold in back, k2, k2 from cable needle), C4F = cable 4 front (slip 2 sts to cable needle, hold in front, k2, k2 from cable needle), k2tog = knit two together, ssk = slip slip knit, PM = place marker, SM = slip marker.

Pattern Notes

The cape is worked flat from the bottom up in one piece, then the hood is picked up and worked in the round. The cable pattern is a 12-stitch repeat. Pay close attention to the decrease sections to shape the A-line silhouette.

Cable Panel (12 sts)

Work these 4 rows for each cable panel throughout the cape body.

• Row 1 (RS): P2, C4B, P2, C4F, P2.
• Row 2 (WS): K2, P4, K2, P4, K2.
• Row 3: P2, K4, P2, K4, P2.
• Row 4: K2, P4, K2, P4, K2.
• Repeat rows 1-4.

Cape Body

Cast On & Ribbing: With color A, CO 120 sts.

• Row 1 (RS): K2, *P2, K4, P2, K4, P2, K2; repeat from * to last 2 sts, K2.
• Row 2 (WS): P2, *K2, P4, K2, P4, K2, P2; repeat from * to last 2 sts, P2.
• Work in established pattern (knit the knits, purl the purls) for 6 rows.

Begin Cable Pattern:

• Row 7 (RS): K2, *work Cable Panel Row 1 across next 12 sts, K2; repeat from * to last 2 sts, K2.
• Row 8 (WS): P2, *work Cable Panel Row 2 across next 12 sts, P2; repeat from * to last 2 sts, P2.
• Continue working Cable Panel rows 3-4, then repeat rows 1-4, maintaining the K2 borders on each side.

Shape Cape (Decrease Section)

When piece measures 12 inches from CO, begin decreases on RS rows. This creates the A-line shape.

• Row 1 (RS): K2, *work Cable Panel Row 1 across 12 sts, K2tog (using the K2 from the border and the first st of the next cable panel), repeat from * to last 2 sts, K2. (Decrease 1 st per repeat, total 10 decreases = 110 sts)
• Row 2 (WS): P2, *work Cable Panel Row 2 across 12 sts, P1 (the decreased st), repeat from * to last 2 sts, P2.
• Row 3: K2, *work Cable Panel Row 3 across 12 sts, K1, repeat from * to last 2 sts, K2.
• Row 4: P2, *work Cable Panel Row 4 across 12 sts, P1, repeat from * to last 2 sts, P2.

Repeat these 4 rows, but on every 4th RS row, work another decrease row as follows:

• Decrease Row (RS): K2, *work Cable Panel Row 1 across 12 sts, ssk (using the single st between panels and the first st of next panel), repeat from * to last 2 sts, K2. (Decrease 1 st per repeat)
• Continue in pattern, working decreases every 4th RS row until you have 60 sts remaining (approximately 10 decreases total).

Neck Shaping

Work even in pattern (without decreases) for 2 inches. Bind off loosely in pattern.

Hood

Pick Up Stitches: With RS facing, using circular needle, pick up and knit 60 sts along the bound-off edge. PM and join to work in the round.

• Round 1: *K2, P2; repeat from * around.
• Work in 2x2 ribbing for 1 inch.

Increase for Hood:

• Round 1: *K2, P2, M1 (make one), K2, P2; repeat from * around. (75 sts)
• Round 2: *K2, P2, K3, P2; repeat from * around.
• Round 3: *K2, P2, K3, P2; repeat from * around.
• Round 4: *K2, P2, M1, K3, P2; repeat from * around. (90 sts)
• Round 5: *K2, P2, K4, P2; repeat from * around.
• Continue in this manner, increasing 1 st in the center of each knit section every 4th round, until you have 120 sts (10 knit sections of 4 sts each, separated by P2).

Shape Hood Top:

• Work even in pattern (K4, P2) for 6 inches.

Decrease for Hood Top:

• Round 1: *K2tog, K2, P2; repeat from * around. (100 sts)
• Round 2: *K3, P2; repeat from * around.
• Round 3: *K2tog, K1, P2; repeat from * around. (80 sts)
• Round 4: *K2, P2; repeat from * around.
• Round 5: *K2tog, P2; repeat from * around. (60 sts)
• Round 6: *K1, P2; repeat from * around.
• Round 7: *K1, P2tog; repeat from * around. (40 sts)
• Round 8: *K1, P1; repeat from * around.
• Round 9: *K2tog; repeat from * around. (20 sts)
• Cut yarn, thread through remaining sts, pull tight, and secure.

Finishing

Weave in all ends. Block the cape to measurements: approximately 24 inches wide at bottom, 18 inches at neck, and 20 inches long (excluding hood). The hood should be about 12 inches deep. Blocking will open up the cables and give the cape a professional finish.

Your Frostpeak Cabled Cape is now complete! Enjoy the warmth and texture of this stunning handmade piece.