Vertebral Chain by Cathy Pratt

Vertebral Chain

Knitting
January 2018
Aran (8 wpi) ?
14 stitches and 20 rows = 4 inches
in stockinette stitch
US 9 - 5.5 mm
660 - 710 yards (604 - 649 m)
One Size
English
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This pattern was inspired by a garter stitch sweater I saw in a book years ago, with a big cable up the center front and back. I liked the idea of a large twisting cable for a spine, but thought it would be interesting to try it on a cloak. The gather at the front was added to give a little more freedom of movement for the arms, and another layer of interest to the central cable. This piece is worked in the round from the bottom up.

Size:
48” around the bottom edge, 26” around at the neck, 10” from neck to bottom hem at the front, and 22” from the neck to the bottom edge at the back.
Materials:
660-710yds (603-649m) or 11-13.5oz (312-383g) of worsted weight yarn
U.S. Size 9 circular needle and pair of U.S. Size 9 straight needles or dpns,
stitch markers
cable needle.
Gauge:
14 sts by 20 rows = 4” x 4”
Techniques Used:
2x2 rib (k2, p2)
Reverse Stockinette Stitch (Rv. st. st.) - purl all right side rows, knit all wrong side rows
Cable stitch – following a cable chart
Decreasing stitches
Knitting in the round
Knitting two rows together
Three needle bind off

To get a different size cloak you can simply adjust the size of needles and/or yarn used. The whole pattern is given in terms of rows instead of inches, so that a change of gauge will give you an even change in size. The model pictured used worsted weight yarn. DK would give a slightly looser fabric, but produces very nearly the same gauge when used with U.S. size 9 needles.