I have a new idea to share with you today, it’s the Granny Square Capelet free crochet pattern!
This elbow length capelet is perfect for wearing over a pretty dress with sleeves that you want to show off. It adds an extra layer of warmth and is a great alternative to wearing a sweater over your special dress. It’s also easier to take on and off than a sweater – convenient for kids (and adults!) who are uncomfortable with bulky sleeves inside their sweater. The pattern features directions for children and adult medium, with easy tips on how to make it bigger (or smaller).
Supplies:
Super Bulky Weight Yarn (I used 212 yards for child size shown.) (I used Lion Brand Thick and Quick)
N hook (9mm) or size needed to obtain gauge
Stitch marker or scrap of yarn to mark the beginning of each round
Abbreviations used:
Ch: chain
Dc: double crochet
Dec: decrease (insert hook in first st, pull up a loop, insert hook in next st, pull up a loop, yo, pull through all loops on hook)
Hdc: half double crochet
Sc: single crochet
Sl: slip
St: stitch
Gauge:
2” = 3sc
2” = 4 rows in sc
Sizing:
Finished circumference at bottom edge/Finished height (with neck folded over):
Child: 36”/11”
(The child pictured is 9 years old and wears a size 7.)
Adult: 48”/15” (Approximately an adult medium. See sizing tips at the bottom of the pattern to find out how to make it bigger)
Directions for Granny Squares (make 6 child, 8 adult)
Ch 3, sl st to form a loop, ch 2
- 12 dc in loop, pull tail tight to close loop, sl to join to first dc, ch 2
- *Dc between next 2 sts, ch 2, Dc between next 2 sts, ch 2, dc between next 2 sts, ch 4, repeat from * around, sl to join to the top of the first dc, ch 1
- Sc in each dc, 2 sc in the ch2 spaces and 4 sc in the ch 4 spaces. Join and tie off. Weave in ends.
Use tapestry needle and a long piece of yarn to sew the squares together side by side. Sew the last one to the first one at the sides to form a complete circle. This will form the bottom row of the capelet.
You will now begin crocheting across the top of the row of granny squares to create the rest of the capelet, working upwards.
Round 1: Join to top corner of one square. Working in the back loops only, sc in every other stitch around the entire top. Sl to join to the first sc and ch 1.
Hdc stitches are worked in back loops only. Sc stitches worked in both loops as usual. At the end of each round, Join to first st and ch 1.
Round 2: Hdc
Round 3: Sc (Advanced tip: you can repeat rounds 2 and 3 to add length to the capelet.)
Round 4: Hdc
(For child size, continue below. For adult size, skip down to adult directions.)
Round 5: Sc, inserting 4 dec evenly
Round 6: Hdc, inserting 4 dec evenly
Round 7-8: repeat rounds 5-6
Round 9-15: sc
Finish off, leaving a long tail for attaching one of the tassles.
Adult size directions:
Round 5: Sc
Round 6: Hdc
Round 7 Sc, inserting 4 dec evenly
Round 8: Hdc, inserting 4 dec evenly
Rounds 9-12: repeat rounds 7-8
Rounds 13-23: sc
Finish off, leaving a long tail for attaching one of the tassles.
Tassles (child and adult)
Attach the long tail from the capelet to a yarn needle and set aside. Cut a scrap of yarn about 12” long and set aside. Picking up your skein of yarn, holding the end with your thumb, begin loosly wrapping the yarn from your skein around the width of four fingers about 20 times. Insert the yarn on the needle through the top of the tassle, just above your index finger and let it hang for the moment. Insert the scrap yarn between your forefinger and middle finger (near the top of the tassle) and wrap it around the tassel. Carefully remove your hand and tie the scrap yarn around the tassel. Knot tightly. Finish off the long tail with the yarn needle to the top of the capelet so your tassle is now securely attached. Repeat for the second tassel, attaching a long piece of scrap yarn to tie your second tassel next to the first one. Trim the ends to even out the tassles.
Fold over the top of the capelet to form the cowl and you’re all done!
Sizing Tips:
You can make the capelet bigger (or smaller) by making more (or fewer) granny squares. Measure yourself (or the recipient) around your chest and arms with your arms at your side. Then make one square and measure its width. Use these measurements to determine how many squares you will need to go around your body. Keep in mind, you want the capelet to fit snugly and stretch a little bit, so round down. Then you can add height by using the tip in the pattern (repeating rows 2 and 3).
Happy crocheting! Share your makes by tagging me on Instagram @tealandfinch. I would love to see them!
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Pattern and photos copyright ©Jen Dwyer of Teal & Finch. This pattern is my original design and may not be reproduced or sold in any form. You may make and sell the finished product, just be sure to use your own photos.
Love this pattern. Could you give an approximate yardage for the child’s size. Thanks in advance.
Hi Nancy! It is about 212 yards for child size. I will add that in to the pattern. I hope you enjoy!
I love this so much and have enjoyed crocheting it. Being rather new to crocheting patterns I cannot figure out how to do the decrease. I have 76 stitches. Can you help me. Thank you.
Hi Becky! So instead of doing a yarn over to start a hdc, you will just insert your hook in next st, pull up a loop (two loops on hook), insert hook in next (second) st, pull up a loop (three loops on hook) , yarn over , pull through all loops on hook. So you’ve used to stitches, but created only one. Does that help?
My problem is i don’t know how to work out the 4 decreases i know there is a mathimatical system but i just can’t figure it out. I have 76 stitches but i don’t know what doing a 4 decrease means. Thanks.
Oh, I see! So you would spread them out evenly throughout the round, but it doesn’t need to be precise. So one decrease at about a quarter of the way, one halfway, one three quarters of the way, and one at the end. Approximately every 19 stitches for you, but you could just eyeball it on this pattern, maybe place stitch markers if you want. Hope that helps!
Thank you, thank you, thank you. Makes perfect sense. I thought that was how to do it but was so afraid to mess it up. So do i adjust the decrease by 4 every round then. Just change the stitches between? I’m a pain. So sorry.
Yes, exactly. No worries! The numbers will change every round but you don’t have to count, just estimate 25% for each decrease. Enjoy!
Lovely pattern! Thank you so much for sharing. It worked up very quickly. I’m going to post it on my Ravelry today. Thank you!
That’s great to hear! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Molto bello. È possibile avere la spiegazione in italiano di una taglia 7 anni e se è possibile lo schema della mattonella granny. Grazie di cuore
Hi! I’m glad you are enjoying the Capelet. Unfortunately, I’m not able to translate patterns to Italian. Thanks for your interest, though!
Hi Jen, I am normally a knitter. Do you have a sketch (drawing) for the granny? Will it be really a square?
Bests Astrid
Hi Astrid! Yes, it is several squares pieced together in a circle. Then you crochet along the top of the circle, decreasing as you go to make it smaller around the neck. The bulky yarn makes the corners a bit more rounded, if that’s what you’re wondering about. I hope that helps!
Thank you for sharing the pattern! I do have a question. Is the ch2 considered the first DC?
Hi Sean! Thanks for asking! No, the ch 2 is not considered the first DC. Enjoy!