On the Road to Completion – Finally!

Well, my cape has taken a little longer than I anticipated. Probably because I’ve overcommitted myself with additional knitting projects. I’ve been working on this cape, a hat, shrug, lapghan, cowl, baby hat & booties, a pair of gloves, lace curtains, several charity knitting projects, and THREE Christmas stockings!! I must be a glutton for punishment…..silly me.

Anyway, I’m actually finishing most of it. But, from now on, I’m not going to be afraid to say “NO” when someone asks me to knit something. (By the way, I also have about 10 other projects cast on as well. HA!)

So, now you know that I am a big time “caster on’er” (is that a word?)

But, I do follow through with my commitments, as you can see here:
The front of my cape is growing very nicely!

In that photo, you can see the completed back of the cape with two skeins of Bernat Softee Chunky. I’m using both skeins at the same time, because I’m now at the point where the front splits at the neckline. I’ve decided to work both sides of the front at the same time, instead of one at a time as the pattern directs. This way, both sections will be exactly the same size, and the shaping at the top will match easily as well. No measuring needed! I just need to lay it on top of the back section and make it the same size, following the same decrease directions as the back. Smart? You betcha!

I made a little video on how to start both sections at the same time. Hopefully, it will help if you decide to knit your cape the same way.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQU1Ddq1_nw]

When you get to the part where the split occurs, remember to start the next section with a KNIT stitch. You’ll be tempted to start with a purl, since you ended the first half with a knit stitch…..but the purl stitch was cast off when you first started the split. Start every section with a knit stitch, and your design on the front will look right. (thumbs up)

Here’s a closer view of the neckline split, after a few rows:

I’m really loving this project. It’s such a nice, easy knit. The right side is mostly knit stitches, so I can watch tv or listen to books on tape without a problem. I’ve even been knitting on the cape at church!

I’ve also been very pleased with the performance of the Bernat Softee Chunky yarn. The yarn is lightweight…not too heavy. I think this cape is going to comfortable to wear, without weighing me down. I’m already heavy enough as it is! (tee-hee)

Back to the craft room….gotta finish this cape!

- Shandeh