I’m still working on those aforementioned blog changes, which may have to roll out in phases, so please bear with me. Also still working on this capelet, which I’m a little torn about. If you saw the comment on my previous post, you know I had to go the two-tone route. I like the chocolate and charcoal together (the latter is the more economical Cascade Magnum) and am happy with the effect of the k1/p1 row at the color change. But it’s looking a bit masculine at the moment, even for my tomboy self. But I still think I’ll love it when all is said and done.

.

Two of my favorite compound adjectives: top-down and super-bulky. A garment takes shape so quickly it almost feels like cheating.

This thing is going to be luscious — assuming I can track down enough yarn. I idly thought the four skeins of Blue Sky Bulky I had on hand would be enough, forgetting they’re only 45 yards each. Oops.

.

It’s hovering near 90 degrees here these days (that’s Fall by the bay); my schedule and to-do list are all out of whack; and I’ve been battling a case of cast-on-itis. So what am I planning to do today, as soon as I get a chance? Cast on a super-bulky turtleneck capelet, of course!

This has been on my mind since that roundup I did back in March. I’ve been stockpiling inspiration photos and perusing various patterns — ranging from cowls voluminous enough to tug down around your shoulders to things that border on poncho territory — trying to decide exactly what I want. (The problem, of course, being that I want them all.)

If I could magically own any capelet I’d seen in a photo, I would have the one below, which is a Cos beauty worn and photographed by a French blogger called Punky B:

(And maybe also the one on the bottom right from the previous set.) I’ve found patterns for similar things, but nothing knit sideways like that. And I don’t have the patience to work out the shaping for it on my own.

I’ve thought about modifying this Bergere Poncho pattern:

I’d give it a regular turtleneck. Skip the wristholes and cuffs, for sure. Maybe give it a cleaner hem of some sort. And possibly leave out the stockinette triangles — just stick to purling between the cables. Would I love it then? Maybe.

But then I also like this really simple little Noelle Capelet by Martin Storey for Rowan:

So I’ve decided for now I’m making a version of that one at the top of this post, which comes from a Mac & Me pattern, the Back Bay Poncho. I downloaded the pattern last night because I like that slight shirttail-shaped hemline and wanted to see how the short-rows were done. So that will probably be my jumping-off point. I’ll change the neck and “sleeve” proportions a little, do a different increase for the raglans (the YO holes are not my favorite) and probably make it a little longer. Or shorter? We’ll see.

.