Free Crochet Pattern: The Cassandra Cape

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A very special spooky event kicks off today! The Halloween blog hop hosted by Yarn Crafts & Coffee has commenced! Each day for the first seven days in October you will find a new free Halloween-themed crochet pattern on one of the participating blogs!

Hi, its me, Emily at Crochet Aweigh! My favorite holiday of the year is creeping just around the corner! I’ve always been a huge fan of Halloween. I love the *slightly* cooler air, the smell of apple cider, pumpkin carving, and ALL the Fall home decor! Or maybe I just really love dressing up! Costumes are so fun to me, and I love seeing other people’s creativity. Halloween and dressing up tends to bring out the best of peoples’ creative sides!

October is also National Wool Month, so all designs for this month will be done from hand dyed wool yarn from our indie dyers! The Cassandra Cape features yarn from Olive & Two Ewe, who up until recently was a local FL dyer, and has now relocated to Maine.

The “I Think He Knows” collection is taking a hiatus during the month of October, but it will be back in November!

Below you will find the free pattern for the Cassandra Cape!

The Cassandra Cape is inspired by Taylor Swift’s song “Cassandra” from her album “The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology”. Taylor said in a voice memo: “In Greek mythology, Cassandra was brought on by Apollo to always warn people of impending doom, but she was cursed to never be listened to…so read into this what you will based on our current social and cultural climate”.

In this song you hear a lot of references to witches, prophecy, and overall dark vibes. It seemed to fit with Halloween and these colors from Olive and Two Ewe were perfect to capture the witchy feeling that I wanted this pattern to evoke.

This yarn is Plato DK from Olive and Two Ewe. The colors are Crush It (the purple), and In The Groove (the variegated).

If you would like to support my very lofty yarn dreams then you can purchase a PDF of this pattern from my site, Etsy, or Ravelry.

Pattern Notes:

• This pattern is considered intermediate to advanced level.
• Pattern is written as one size fits most.
• Cape begins at the neckline, works down for 44 rows, then the ties are added.
• Pattern is worked by using 1 color at a time. In most of the pattern you alternate rows with each color.
• Make sure that chain spaces are pushed to the wrong side of the work so they don’t show on the right side.
• It says “pull loop big” so that your stitches don’t pull out while you work on the next row, and then you can pick up that big loop for the following row. You can also place a stitch marker in the loop to make sure it doesn’t come unraveled.

Materials:

• DK weight (3) yarn: 476 yards of Color 1 and 310 yards of Color 2.
• Sample used Olive & Two Ewe Plato, a 75/25 Superwash Merino/Nylon blend. Crush It as Color 1, and In The Groove as Color 2
• Size G/4.00mm Crochet Hook
• Tapestry needle
• Stitch marker
• Scissors
• The Cassandra Cape: either free on this page, or paid on my website, Etsy, or Ravelry.

Abbreviations:

Special Stitches:

Puff Stitch: (YO, insert hook into designated st, pull up a loop) 3 times. 7 loops on hook. YO, pull through all except last loop. YO, pull through last 2.

Measurements:

• This pattern is written for 1 size.
• Finished measurements as written are approximately 24″w at the neckline (not including the ties) x 12″long

Gauge:

I tend to crochet on the tight side, so you may want to go down a hook size or 2.

18dc x 10 rows = 4″ x 4″ unblocked

To make swatch:

Ch 20, dc in 3rd ch from hook and in each across.

Row 2-10: Ch 2, dc in each across.

Pattern Instructions:

Starting at the neck.

Row 1: sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each across. Turn. 89 sts.

Row 2: Ch 2 (doesn’t count as a st here or throughout), Puff st in 1st, (ch 3, sk 3, puff st in next) across. Pull up your C1 loop big as to not drop it. Turn. 23 puff sts.

Row 3: with C2, attach to 1st skipped sc on row 1, ch 2, dc in same, 1 dc in each of next 2. (ch 1, sk puff, dc in next 3 sc) across. Leave last puff unworked. Pull loop big. 66 dcs, and 21 ch1 sps.

Row 4: pick up C1, ch 2, puff st in 1st, (ch 3, sk 3 dc, puff st in next puff and ch1 sp) across. Pull loop big and turn.

Row 5 (WS): pick up C2, ch 2, dc in 1st, 2dc in next, 1 dc in next, (ch 1, sk puff, dc in next, 2dc in next, dc in next) across. Pull loop big. 88 dc and 21 ch1 sps.

Row 6 (WS): pick up C1, ch 2, puff st in 1st (ch 4, sk 4 dc, puff st in next puff and next ch1 sp) across. Pull loop big and turn.

Row 7 (RS): pick up C2, ch 2, dc in 1st, 2dc in next, dc in next 2 (ch 1, sk puff, dc in next dc, 2dc in next, dc in next 2) across. 110 sts and 21 ch1 sps

Row 8 (RS): pick up C1, ch 2, puff st in 1st, (ch 5, sk 5 dc, puff st in next puff and next ch1 sp) across. Pull loop big and turn.

Row 9 (WS): pick up C2, ch 2, dc in first 2, 2dc in next, dc in next 2 (ch 1, sk puff, dc in next 2, 2dc in next, dc in next 2) across. 132 sts and 21 ch1 sps

Row 10 (WS): pick up C1, ch 2, puff st in 1st (ch 6, sk 6 dc, puff st in next puff and next ch1 sp) across. Pull loop big and turn.

Row 11 (RS): pick up C2, ch 2, dc in 1st 6, (ch 1, sk puff, dc in next 6) across. 132 dcs and 21 ch1 sps.

Row 12 (RS): pick up C1, ch 2, puff st in 1st (ch 6, sk 6 dc, puff st in next puff and next ch1 sp) across. Pull loop big and turn.

Row 13 (WS): pick up C2, Ch 2, Dc in first 2, 2 dc in next, dc in next 3, (ch 1, sk puff, dc in next 2, 2dc in next, dc in next 3) across. 154 dcs, 21 ch1 sps.

Row 14 (WS): pick up C1, ch 2, puff st in 1st (ch 7, sk 7 dc, puff st in next puff and next ch1 sp) across. Pull loop big and turn.

Row 15 (RS): pick up C2, ch 2, dc in 1st 7, (ch 1, sk puff, dc in next 7) across. 154 dcs and 21 ch1 sps.

Row 16 (RS): pick up C1, ch 2, puff st in 1st (ch 7, sk 7 dc, puff st in next puff and next ch1 sp) across. Pull loop big and turn.

Row 17 (WS): pick up C2, Ch 2, Dc in first 3, 2 dc in next, dc in next 3, (ch 1, sk puff, dc in next 3, 2dc in next, dc in next 3) across. 176 dcs, 21 ch1 sps.

Row 18 (WS): pick up C1, ch 2, puff st in 1st (ch 8, sk 8 dc, puff st in next puff and next ch1 sp) across. Pull loop big and turn.

Row 19 (RS): pick up C2, ch 2, dc in 1st 8, (ch 1, sk puff, dc in next 8) across. 176 dcs and 21 ch1 sps.

Row 20 (RS): pick up C1, ch 2, puff st in 1st (ch 8, sk 8 dc, puff st in next puff and next ch1 sp) across. Pull loop big and turn.

Row 21 (WS): pick up C2, Ch 2, Dc in first 4, 2 dc in next, dc in next 3, (ch 1, sk puff, dc in next 4, 2dc in next, dc in next 3) across. Pull loop big. 198 dcs, 21 ch1 sps.

Row 22 (WS): pick up C1, ch 2, puff st in 1st (ch 9, sk 9 dc, puff st in next puff and next ch1 sp) across. Pull loop big and turn.

Row 23 (RS): pick up C2, ch 2, dc in 1st 9, (ch 1, sk puff, dc in next 9) across. Pull loop big. 198 dcs and 21 ch1 sps.

Repeat this pattern of increasing every other dc row until you reach the point of your shoulder. Then move on to row 24. For my more narrow shoulders I did not need to repeat. If you do increase more, then when you start row 24 to adjust your Chain count acordingly. You will also adjust the number of Dcs between dc2tog’s

Row 24 (RS): pick up C1, ch 2, Vpuff st in same, (ch 9, Vpuff st in next puff and ch1 sp) across.

Row 25 (WS): pick up C2, ch 2, dc in 1st 9, (ch 2, sk Vpuff, dc in next 9) across. Pull loop big. 198 dcs and 21 ch2 sps.

Row 26 (WS): pick up C1, slst into VPuff, ch 2, VPShell st in same, (ch 8, VPShell st in next Vpuff and ch2 sp) across. Pull loop big and turn.

Row 27 (RS): pick up C2, ch 2, dc2tog over 1st 2 sts, dc in next 5 sts, dc2tog over next 2, (ch 4, sk VPshell, dc2tog over next 2 dc, dc in next 5, dc2tog over next 2) repeat across. Pull loop big. 154 dcs and 21 ch 4 sps.

Row 28 (RS): pick up C1, sl st into 1st ch1 sp. VPuff in ch1 sp, ch 2, Vpuff in next ch1 sp, (ch 6, Vpuff in next ch 1 sp, ch 2, Vpuff in next ch 1 sp) across. *encase the ch 4 inside the Vpuffs. Pull loop big and turn. 46 Vpuff stitches and 21 ch6 sps.

Row 29 (WS): pick up C2, ch 2, dc in 1st 7 sts, (ch 6, sk 2 VPuffs, dc in next 7) across. Pull up big loop. 154 dcs and 21 ch 6 sps.

Row 30 (WS): pick up C1, sl st into 1st ch1 sp, ch 2, Vpuff in same, ch 3, sc in ch2 sp, ch 3, Vpuff in next ch1 sp, (ch 5, Vpuff in next ch 1 sp, ch 3, sc in ch 2 sp, ch 3, Vpuff in next ch1 sp) across. Bring the ch 6 space of previous row to the WS while working. Pull loop big and turn.

Row 31 (RS): pick up C2, ch 2, dc2tog. dc in next 3, dc2tog, (ch 10, sk all C1 sts, dc2tog over next 2, dc in next 3, dc2tog over next 2) repeat. Sl st to the next puff st to secure the edge. Pull loop big. 110 dcs and 21 ch 10 sps.

Row 32 (RS): pick up C1, ch 2, Vpuff in same, [ch 3, sc in next ch3 sp] twice, ch 3, Vpuff in next ch1 sp, (ch 5, sk 5 dcs, Vpuff in next ch1 sp, [ch 3, sc in next ch3 sp] twice, ch 3, Vpuff in next ch1 sp) across. Pull loop big and turn.

Row 33 (WS): pick up C2. Ch 2, dc in next 5 sts, (ch 10, sk all C1 sts, Dc in next 5 dc) across. Sl st to next puff to secure. Pull loop big.

Row 34 (WS): Pick up C1. Sl st into 1st ch 1 sp, Vpuff in ch 1 sp, sk ch3 sp, (dc, ch1) 5 times into next ch3 sp, sk next ch3 sp, Vpuff in next ch 1 sp, (ch 4, Vpuff in ch 1 sp, sk ch3 sp, (dc, ch1) 5 times into next ch3 sp, sk next ch3 sp, Vpuff in next ch 1 sp) across. Pull loop big and turn.

Row 35 (RS): Pick up C2. Ch 2, dc2tog over 1st 2 sts, dc in next, dc2tog over next 2, (ch 12, sk all C1 sts, dc2tog over next 2 dcs, dc in next, dc2tog over next 2) across. Sl st to next puff. Pull loop big and turn.

Row 36 (RS): pick up C1. Sl st into 1st ch1 sp, Ch 2, Vpuff in same, ch 2, sc into ch1 sp, (ch 3, sc into ch1 sp) 3 times, ch 2, Vpuff in next ch1 sp, (ch 3, Vpuff in next ch1 sp, ch 2, sc into ch1 sp, (ch 3, sc into ch1 sp) 3 times, ch 2, Vpuff in next ch1 sp) across. Pull loop big and turn.

Row 37 (WS): pick up C2. Ch 2, dc3tog over the 3 dcs, (Ch 14, sk all C1 sts, dc3tog over next 3dcs) across. Sl st to next C1 puff. Pul loop big.

Row 38 (WS): pick up C1. Sl st into 1st ch1 sp. ch 2, sc in next ch3 sp, [ch 3, sc in next ch3 sp] twice, ch 2, Vpuff in next ch1 sp, (ch 2, Vpuff in next ch1 sp, ch 2, sc in next ch3 sp, [ch 3, sc in next ch3 sp] twice, ch 2, Vpuff in next ch1 sp) across. Pull loop big & turn.

Row 39 (RS): pick up C2. Ch 2, Dc in dc3tog, (ch 14, sk all C1 sts, Dc in nextdc3tog) across. Sl st to next C1 puff to secure. Pull loop big and turn.

Row 40 (RS): pick up C1. Sl st into 1st ch1 sp. Ch 2, Vpuff into same, Ch 2, sc into next ch3 sp, ch 3, sc into next ch3 sp, ch 2, Vpuff in next ch 1 sp, (ch 1, Vpuff in next ch1 sp, ch 2, sc in next ch3 sp, ch 3, sc in next ch3 sp, ch 2, VPuff in next ch1 sp) across. Pull loop big and turn.

Row 41 (WS): Repeat row 39. Fasten off C2.

Row 42 (WS): Sl st into 1st ch1 sp, ch 2, (Vpuff in ch1 sp, ch 2, sc in next ch 3 sp, ch 2, Vpuff in next ch 1 sp) repeat across. Turn.

Row 43 (RS): Sl st into ch 1 sp, Puff in 1st ch 1 sp, (ch 4, dc in sc, ch 4, Puff in next ch 1 sp, ch 1, puff in next ch 1 sp) repeat across.

Row 44 (WS): Ch 2, (puff in ch1 sp, ch 5, sc into dc, ch 9, sl st into sc you just made, ch 5), repeat across. Puff in last puff. Turn work 90 degrees. Working up the side, ch 1, sc into side of 1st puff, (ch 3, sc in next row end) until next corner. Fasten off.

Border/Ties:

Ch 76, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each across. Sc in each foundation ch along the next across to the next corner. Ch 76, sc in 2nd ch from the hook and across. Turn 90 degrees. ch 3, sc in each row end. Sc in side of bottom puff.

Weave in all ends & wet block. Your cape is done!

I hope you love your new Cassandra Cape! Comment below if you have any questions, and if you make this cape please post it on social media and tag me so I can see! I love seeing your creations, especially when they are spooky ;)