You know that gorgeous gradient yarn cake you’ve been saving for something special? This is the project. Dig into your stash and finally use those dreamy pastel skeins that have been waiting for the perfect pattern.
This hooded cape works up in a beautiful fan-and-shell stitch pattern that looks intricate but follows a straightforward repeat once you get the hang of it. The construction is interesting too. You’ll work the body from the neck down in expanding rows, then create a separate triangle hood that folds into a pointed cone shape. Honestly? It’s an intermediate project that will stretch your skills in the best way.
If you’ve mastered basic double crochet and feel comfortable with working in joined rounds, you can absolutely tackle this crochet pattern. The lacy openwork creates that fairytale aesthetic we all love, and the color-blocked gradient gives you built-in motivation as you watch each new shade appear.
Why This Hooded Cape Pattern Works So Well
The genius of this design lies in its construction method. Starting at the neckline with a foundation chain, the cape expands outward through evenly spaced increases. These increases happen within the repeating fan stitch pattern, so the piece grows naturally into a graceful circular silhouette.
The finished cape falls to approximately mid-torso on a child or to the elbow on an adult when sized up. That makes it perfect for dress-up play, costume pieces, photography props, or just adding a touch of whimsy to everyday outfits.
The pointed hood is my favorite part. It’s worked as a flat triangle, then folded in half diagonally and seamed along the back edge. The result is that classic wizard or fairytale cone shape that kids absolutely love.
Finished Measurements
Child size (ages 4 to 6):
Adult size (S/M):
Adult size instructions appear in parentheses throughout. Where only one number appears, it applies to both sizes.
Materials You’ll Need
Yarn: Approximately 600 (1,050) yards total of DK weight yarn (CYCA 3) in 5 colors:
Hook: US size G-6 / 4.0 mm (or size needed to achieve gauge)
Notions:
Yarn Suggestions
Lion Brand Pound of Love works beautifully here. It’s a DK-adjacent 3-weight acrylic with excellent stitch definition, easy washing, and budget-friendly pricing in all the needed pastel shades.
Paintbox Yarns Simply DK is another great choice. You’ll get precise color consistency across skeins, a soft hand, and a wide pastel palette.
Cascade 220 Superwash Sport gives you beautiful drape and excellent blocking results if you prefer wool. Just note it requires gentle machine wash or hand wash.
Quick tip: Avoid heavily textured or fuzzy yarns. They’ll obscure the lovely fan pattern that makes this cape so special.
Gauge
16 double crochet (dc) x 9 rows = 4 in / 10 cm in standard double crochet, blocked.
One full fan repeat (12 stitches) = approximately 3 in / 7.6 cm wide.
Gauge matters here for achieving the stated dimensions. Adjust your hook size up or down as needed and swatch before beginning.
Abbreviations and Stitch Definitions
Let me walk you through every abbreviation you’ll encounter:
Special Stitches for This Crochet Pattern
These special stitches create the lacy texture that makes this hooded cape so stunning:
Fan Stitch (Fan): Work 5 dc all into the same stitch or space. This creates the open fan shape forming the main body of the lace repeat. Think of it as clustering five tall stitches together at the base while they spread out at the top.
Shell Stitch (Shell): Work 3 dc all into the same stitch or space. Used in foundation rounds at the neckline where spacing is tighter.
V-Stitch (V-st): Work [dc, ch 2, dc] all into the same stitch or space. Creates an open V with a chain-2 space that serves as the anchor point for the fan in the following round.
Picot: Ch 3, sl st into the first ch of the ch-3 just made. Creates a small decorative knot used in the scalloped border.
Scallop Border: [Sc in next st, hdc in next st, dc in next st, hdc in next st, sc in next st, sl st in next st] worked across the hem edge. Each repeat spans 6 stitches and creates one rounded scallop.
Beg-Fan (Beginning Fan): Ch 3 (counts as first dc), work 4 more dc into the same stitch or space. Use this at the beginning of a round where a full Fan is needed at the start position.
Important Pattern Notes Before You Begin
Read these before starting. They’ll save you confusion later:
1. The cape body is worked in joined rounds from the neckline down. The front remains open, so you’ll work back and forth in rows for the first three rounds to shape the neckline opening, then switch to working in joined rounds.
2. For color changes, always join the new color in the sl st that closes the round, or in the last pull-through of the final stitch of a row. Carry unused colors loosely up the side (WS) for no more than 2 rounds, then cut and rejoin if a color won’t be used again.
3. The fan stitch repeat is a multiple of 12 stitches plus 6. Every increase round adds 12 stitches (one full repeat) evenly distributed around the cape.
4. Turning chains: When working rows, ch 3 at the beginning counts as the first dc. When working rounds on the cape body, the beg-ch-3 counts as the first dc of the Fan.
5. The hood is constructed separately as a large flat triangle worked in rows, then folded in half diagonally and seamed along the back edge to form the pointed cone shape.
Step-by-Step Instructions: Cape Body
The cape begins at the neckline with a foundation chain, then expands outward in joined rounds using the fan-and-V-stitch repeat.
Foundation
With Color A and hook size G-6, ch 66 (78).
Row 1 (WS)
Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn. [65 (77) sc]
Row 2 (RS)
Ch 3 (counts as dc), sk first sc, dc in next sc, [ch 2, sk 2 sc, V-st in next sc, ch 2, sk 2 sc, dc in next sc, ch 2, sk 2 sc, dc in next sc] rep across, ending last rep with dc in last sc. Turn. [10 (12) V-sts]
The working pattern creates 2 dc at each end as edge posts, with [ch 2, sk 2, V-st, ch 2, sk 2, dc, ch 2, sk 2, dc] repeating across.
Row 3 (WS)
Ch 3, turn. Dc in first dc, [ch 2, Fan in V-st ch-2 sp, ch 2, dc in next dc, ch 2, dc in next dc] across, ending with 2 dc in top of turning ch. Turn. [10 (12) fans established, plus edge dc pairs at each end]
This completes the neckline rows. Now you’ll work in joined rounds while keeping the front open.
Round 4 (RS)
Change to Color B. With RS facing, ch 3, dc in same st, [ch 2, dc in center (3rd) dc of Fan, ch 2, V-st in dc sp, ch 2, dc in center dc of Fan, ch 2] across, ending with 2 dc in last st. Turn. [10 (12) V-sts; 65 (77) working sts]
Round 5 (WS)
Ch 3, dc in same st, [ch 2, Fan in V-st ch-2 sp, ch 2, dc in dc, ch 2, dc in dc] across, ending with 2 dc in last st. Turn. [10 (12) fans; 65 (77) sts]
Round 6 (RS)
Ch 3, 2 dc in same st (increase at edge), [ch 1, dc in center dc of Fan, ch 2, V-st in dc sp, ch 2, dc in center dc of Fan, ch 1] across, ending with 3 dc in last st (increase at edge). Turn. [10 (12) V-sts; 69 (81) sts]
From Round 6 onward, increases widen the cape. One increase round adds 12 total stitches. For child size, you’ll work 5 increase rounds across the body. For adult size, you’ll work 8 increase rounds.
Round 7 (WS)
Ch 3, dc in same st, [Fan in each V-st ch-2 sp, with dc pairs between fans as established] across, ending with 2 dc in last st. Turn. [11 (13) fans; 81 (93) sts]
Rounds 8-9
Continue Color B. Work plain V-st round (Round 8), then plain Fan round (Round 9). [11 (13) fans; 81 (93) sts]
Checkpoint 1: After Round 9, the piece worked in Color B should measure approximately 3 in / 7.5 cm from the foundation chain. Count your fan repeats: child 11 fans, adult 13 fans.
Rounds 10-15 (Color C Section)
Change to Color C at end of Round 9.
Round 10 (RS) Increase Round: Ch 3, 2 dc in same st, [ch 1, dc in center dc of Fan, ch 2, V-st in dc sp, ch 2, dc in center dc of Fan, ch 1] across to last 2 sts, ch 1, V-st in last st. Turn. [12 (14) V-sts; 93 (105) sts]
Rounds 11-15: Continue alternating Fan and V-st rounds. [12 (14) fans; 93 (105) sts]
Checkpoint 2: After Round 15, piece should measure approximately 6 in / 15 cm from the foundation chain.
Rounds 16-23 (Color D Section)
Change to Color D at end of Round 15.
Round 16 (RS) Increase Round: Ch 3, 2 dc in same st, work across, ending with V-st in last st. Turn. [13 (15) V-sts; 105 (117) sts]
Rounds 17-21: Continue alternating pattern rounds. [13 (15) fans; 105 (117) sts]
Round 22 (RS): Adult only works an increase round here [16 V-sts; 129 sts]. Child works plain V-st round [13 V-sts; 105 sts].
Round 23: Fan round. Child: [13 fans; 105 sts] Adult: [16 fans; 129 sts]
Checkpoint 3: Piece should measure approximately 9 in / 23 cm (child) or 11 in / 28 cm (adult).
Rounds 24-33 (Color E Section)
Change to Color E at end of Round 23.
Round 24 (RS) Increase Round: Ch 3, 2 dc in same st, work pattern across, ending V-st in last st. Turn. Child: [14 V-sts; 117 sts] Adult: [17 V-sts; 141 sts]
Rounds 25-29: Continue alternating pattern rounds. Child: [14 fans; 117 sts] Adult: [17 fans; 141 sts]
Round 30 (RS) Increase Round: Ch 3, 2 dc in same st, work across, ending V-st in last st. Turn. Child: [15 V-sts; 129 sts] Adult: [18 V-sts; 153 sts]
Rounds 31-33: Continue pattern. Child: [15 fans; 129 sts] Adult: [18 fans; 153 sts]
Checkpoint 4: Cape body should measure approximately 13 in / 33 cm (child) or 19 in / 48 cm (adult).
Adult size only: Work Rounds 34-39 as plain rounds with one more increase round (Round 36), ending with [19 fans; 165 sts].
Scalloped Hem Border
Both sizes continue with Color E. Work the border on the RS across the final Fan round.
Border Round 1 (RS)
Ch 1, [sc in first dc of Fan, hdc in 2nd dc of Fan, dc in center (3rd) dc of Fan, hdc in 4th dc of Fan, sc in 5th dc of Fan, sl st in dc sp between fans] across all fans, ending sl st in last dc. Do not turn; do not cut yarn.
This creates one scallop per Fan repeat. Child: 15 scallops. Adult: 19 scallops.
Border Round 2
Sl st into each st across to center dc of first scallop. Ch 1, sc in center dc, [ch 3, sl st in first ch of ch-3 just made (picot made), ch 2, sc in center dc of next scallop] across. End with picot, ch 2, sl st to first sc. Fasten off. Weave in ends.
Neckline Border and Tie Casing
With RS facing, join Color A at right front edge of foundation chain row.
Round 1
Ch 1, sc evenly across entire neckline edge (front right edge, back neck, front left edge), working approximately 1 sc per chain st across the back and 1 sc per row end along the front edges. Total: approximately 80 (96) sc. Do not join; work as a flat row. Turn.
Round 2 (Tie Casing)
Ch 4 (counts as dc plus ch 1), sk first 2 sc, [dc in next sc, ch 1, sk 1 sc] across to last sc, dc in last sc. Turn. [approximately 40 (48) dc]
Round 3
Ch 1, sc in each dc and ch-1 sp across. [80 (96) sc]
Fasten off. Weave in end.
Making the Braided Tie
Cut 6 lengths of Color A, each 48 in / 122 cm long. Divide into 3 groups of 2 strands. Braid to desired length (approximately 16 in / 41 cm of braided length plus fringe). Knot both ends and trim fringe to 1.5 in / 4 cm. Thread the braided tie through the ch-1 spaces of the tie casing, beginning and ending at front center.
Hood Construction
The hood is a flat triangle worked in rows, then folded and seamed to form a cone.
Foundation
With Color A, ch 51 (61).
Hood Row 1 (WS)
Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn. [50 (60) sc]
Hood Row 2 (RS)
Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in next sc, [ch 2, sk 2, Fan in next sc, ch 2, sk 2, dc in next sc, ch 2, sk 2, dc in next sc] across, ending dc in last sc. Turn. [4 (5) fans]
Hood Rows 3-4
Continue alternating V-st and Fan rounds. [4 (5) fans; 50 (60) sts]
Hood Row 5 (WS) Decrease Row
Ch 3, [dc in center dc of Fan, ch 2, V-st in dc sp, ch 2, dc in center dc of Fan, ch 2] across, ending dc in last dc (no edge increase). Turn. [4 (5) V-sts; 46 (56) sts]
Continuing Decrease Rows
Continue the established pattern, working decrease rows on WS rows by eliminating edge increases. Each decrease row removes stitches as the triangle narrows toward the point.
Hood Rows 6-12: Continue pattern with decreases every other WS row. Child: [2 fans; 26 sts] Adult: [3 fans; 38 sts]
Hood Rows 13-16 (Child):
Adult Hood Rows 13-20: Continue the same decrease logic until 3 sts remain at the tip, then fasten off.
Hood Assembly
Fold the completed triangle in half diagonally, matching the two slanted side edges. These form the back seam of the hood cone. With Color A and yarn needle, whipstitch these two edges together along their full length. The foundation chain becomes the face opening; the tip becomes the pointed top.
Hood Border
With Color A, join yarn at right edge of hood opening. Work 1 row of sc evenly around the entire face opening, working approximately 1 sc per st or per row end. Sl st to first sc. Fasten off.
Attaching the Hood to the Cape
With RS of cape facing up, align the hood so its RS faces up and the face opening edge aligns with the back neck edge of the cape. Use stitch markers to pin the hood opening evenly to the neckline.
Join Color A at right front edge of neckline. Work a joining round of sc through both layers (hood opening and cape neckline) evenly around the back neck only. At each front edge, sc 3 down the front edge of the hood border to meet the cape front edge. Sl st to join. Fasten off. Weave in all ends.
Size Customization Tips
For a larger child size (ages 6 to 8): Add 2 additional plain rounds in each color section and one additional increase round in Color E before the border. This adds approximately 2.5 in / 6.5 cm in length.
To adjust neck circumference: Add or subtract 12 stitches (1 full repeat) from the foundation chain. Always maintain a multiple of 12 plus 5.
To shorten to a shoulder shawlette: Work through Round 15 only, then proceed directly to the scalloped hem border.
To lengthen to a full cloak: Continue adding increase rounds and plain rounds in Color E, maintaining the pattern of 1 increase round every 4 rounds, until desired length.
Blocking and Finishing
Weave in all ends securely on the WS, working each end in at least two directions to prevent unraveling.
Wet blocking (recommended): Submerge the finished cape in cool water with gentle soap. Squeeze out water gently without wringing. Roll in a clean towel to remove excess moisture. Lay flat on a blocking mat and pin to measurements, gently opening each fan and scallop with your fingers. Allow to dry completely.
For acrylic yarn: Use steam blocking instead. Hover a steam iron 1 inch above the surface without pressing. Pin to shape while warm and allow to cool fully before unpinning.
Care Instructions
Acrylic yarn: Machine wash cold on gentle cycle. Tumble dry low or lay flat to dry. Do not iron directly.
Wool or wool-blend yarn: Hand wash in cool water with gentle wool detergent. Do not agitate. Roll in a towel to remove water. Lay flat to dry.
Store your finished cape folded rather than hanging to maintain the drape and prevent stretching of the lacy sections.
Thank you so much for choosing this hooded cape crochet pattern for your next project! I really hope you love making it as much as I loved designing it. The moment you see that finished cape with its beautiful gradient and pointed hood, you’ll know every stitch was worth it.
If you’d like to find this pattern easily later, go ahead and save it to your Pinterest boards. And please, if you make this cape, I would absolutely love to see it! Drop a comment below or tag me on Instagram or Facebook with your finished piece. Seeing your creations honestly makes my whole day.
