The Patriotic Cape

Here is a picture of the patriotic cape with its Dorset button closure.

A little word of explanation:  I had some Super Saver Red Heart yarn in red, in white, and in blue, so I decided to put them together and make this cape. I did not have a recipient in mind, just wanted to give it a try with the correct sized needles for a change.  I did actually order some new ChiaoGoo stainless steel circular needles in US 15, 32-inch.  They worked beautifully.

As it happens I learned through this project that carrying three strands of the Super Saver yarn was painful to my hands and fingers and decided I will not do that again.  Also you will notice that the fronts seem to be knitted in different patterns.  This is true.  I thought perhaps some of the hand discomfort would be alleviated if I did not do the basketweave stitch, so I stopped that and continued on in garter stitch.  It only helped marginally.

This is a cape meant to cover your shoulders and upper body as you sit in your chair I think, because it is not very long.  You can see this by the cape's position on the rocking chair.

The Dorset buttons were made with large thick curtain rings as the base. I am pretty happy with them generally, and especially with the third one I made where I actually turned the stitches to the back as you are supposed to do after filling the ring with the buttonhole stitches. I do not know why I did not do that to the first two.

Anyway, I am glad this is a "finished object" and can go into my to-be-gifted box now.  It took longer than I had thought it would but learning what I did about the Super Saver yarn held together was good to know.  It will make a difference on future project. I think I will stick with natural fibers when at all possible.