Heirloom Cape Pattern

Brewgal has inherited a box full of her Grandmother’s crochet and knitting patterns. There are some very cool patterns from the 1960’s and 1970’s (I see some of Smarty McYarnpants’ relatives in there). I’ve just come across a crochet pattern for a cape.

The handwritten date on the envelope is 12/26/79, but I believe the pattern is older than that. In the notes on the outside she has written Brewgal’s waistline measurement (27”- geez!) and IBM, EXXON and Coca-Cola. Grandma was a stock market guru in her spare time.

Grandma D’s Heirloom Cape Crochet Pattern

Starting at the neck, chain 72 loose stitches. Make 1 double crochet in 3 stitches from hook, *3 DC in next st, 1 DC in next 4 stitches; repeat from * across row, ending with 3 DC in next stitch.
1 DC in last 2 stitches. Note: hereafter when working do pick up the back loop of the stitches, and when increasing use both loops of the st. on the row below.
Chain 3, turn.
Row 2: Skip 2 stitches, 1 DC in next st., 5 DC in next st., 1 Dc in next 2 st, *skip 2 sts, 1 DC in next 2 sts., 5 DC in next st., 1 DC in next 2 sts,* repeat from * 12 times. Chain 3, turn. You now have 14 sections or pattern.
Row 3: Skip 2 st., 1 DC in next 2 st., 3 DC in next st., 1 DC in next 3 sts., *skip 2 st, 1 DC in next 3 sts, 3 DC in next st., 1 DC in next 3 st, Repeat from the star 12 times. Chain 3, * turn. [Brewgal’s note- I believe the star in this sentence should go after the 1 DC in next 3 sts, not after the Chain 3]
This just repeats itself, as you can see on the sample. Your chain 3 counts as a DC.
Row 4 would be 3 DC in 3 DC, 5 DC in next DC, 3 DC in next 3 DC. Skip 2 in next DC; 3 DC in next 3 DC. Skip 2 DC and repeat.
Then it’s 4 Dc in next 4 DC. Skip 2 DC and repeat.
Do this until you make 11 DC in 11 DC, 3 in next DC, 11 in next 11 DC. Make as many rows as you like, with no increase till you have cape as long as you want it.
To make arm holes, start about 20th row.

Use hook 5 or F- or 8.
Takes about 5 skeins 4oz 4-ply yarn.

Then on the next page there was a very interesting transcription of this pattern done in my Grandmother’s crochet shorthand:

Row 2 2-5-2 skip 2
Row 3 3-3-3 “
Row 4 3-5-3 “
Row 5 4-3-4 “
Row 6 4-5-4 “
Row 7 5-3-5 “
Row 8 5-5-5 “
Row 9 6-3-6 “
Row 10 6-5-6 “
Row 11 7-3-7 “
Row 12 7-5-7 “
Row 13 8-3-8 “
Row 14 8-5-8 “
Row 15 9-3-9 “
Row 16 9-5-9 “
Row 17 10-3-10 “
Row 18 10-5-10 “
Row 19 11-3-11 “
Use 11-3-11 until desired cape length.
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Standard pattern use rules apply (see Brewgal’s hat pattern). Grandma would have been happy for other people to use the pattern provided she got appropriate credit for it. I haven’t tried to make this cape pattern yet. If any of you do try it, post me a comment and let me know how it turns out.