Wandering Willow – Crochet Pattern for Vintage-Inspired Faux Fur Capelet (from my book: Modern Crochet Sweaters)

Hi all!

This post includes everything you need to know about the Wandering Willow Capelet, an adjustable one-size-fits-all crochet pattern for a vintage-inspired, majestic, faux fur capelet. This piece has an optional closure at the neck or can be worn as a cardigan – totally up to you!

The Wandering Willow Faux Fur Capelet is from my book Modern Crochet Sweaters: 20 Chic Designs for Everyday Wear. This book includes 20 size-inclusive sweater patterns using a variety of techniques and construction methods to ensure there is something of value for every skill level. Each pattern is written in 9 sizes from XS to 5XL (with the exception of this faux fur layering piece) and each size has been thoroughly tested! We had over 500+ crochet pattern testers for this book to make sure that each size fits its intended wearer in a way that makes them feel beautiful. You can buy this book with confidence, knowing that each pattern was written for you and your unique body measurements.

Before we begin, here are some quick links for you:

Find the PDF version on Ravelry here, on Etsy here, and on my website here.
- Add your finished project and view other completed projects on Ravelry here.
Use the pattern hashtag #WanderingWillowCapelet on Instagram to show off your makes! Be sure to check out the book hashtag, #ModernCrochetSweaters, too!
Shop the recommended yarn, WeCrochet Fable Fur, here!
- Many testers also used Lion Brand Go For Faux
- (Be sure to scroll down to see other great yarn substitutes!)
Shop my book on Amazon (US) here.
Shop my book on Amazon (CA) here.
Shop my book on other platforms outside of North America here.
Read about my experience getting a book deal here!
For any questions about this pattern, please email knitsnknotswpg@gmail.com and I’ll get back to you asap!

Order my book – Modern Crochet Sweaters: 20 Chic Designs for Everyday Wear – here!

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About Wandering Willow

Reminiscent of the majestic winter outfits often shown in historical movies with castles and Vikings, this capelet will transport you to a simpler time with its vintage, old-world feel. Think of Wandering Willow as a wearable piece of art that will add depth and soul to any outfit; a statement piece that you proudly created yourself. You’ll love the feeling of crocheting with these soft, furry stitches, and the way each stitch blends together to give the appearance of one continuous piece of plush fabric. Faux fur yarn pushes the limits on what we thought was possible to create with a crochet hook, and every fiber enthusiast needs to try this novelty yarn at least once.

Note: The magic of this design is that only one size is needed due to the gathering of the excess fabric created by the increases, and you can make a capelet of any length by continuing these simple increases for as many rows as you like. You can also skip the closure at the neck and wear this piece as a shawl or a wrap if you prefer.

Getting Started: the Wandering Willow Capelet

Yarn: Super Bulky—WeCrochet Fable Fur in Falke

92% acrylic, 8% rayon
71 yds [65 m] per 3.5-oz [100-g] skein
Find this yarn on crochet.com or visit yarnsub.com to find comparable substitutes.

Yardage: 8 skeins or 525 yds [480 m] for a 22″ [56 cm] long capelet. Additional yardage will be required for additional length!

A great substitute for WeCrochet Fable Fur is Lion Brand Go For Faux. Scroll down for more yarn substitutes.

Substitute WeCrochet Fable Fur with another bulky, category #6 faux fur yarn that matches gauge. There are many other brands of faux fur on the market that would work great. You can, of course, make this pattern in a non–faux fur yarn, but it will not turn out to be a solid fabric like the sample shown.

Yarn Note: Using a regular yarn (non-faux fur) will produce really defined stitches and probably some gaps between the double crochet stitches—but if you are okay with that then by all means use whatever yarn you’d like! (It might look amazing—there’s only one way to find out!) Also, please note that eyelash yarn sometimes has the appearance of faux fur when it is wound up in a ball, but upon closer inspection, each strand is thin and wispy, and multiple strands must be held together as one to achieve a comparable fabric thickness. Make sure the fiber you choose is a bulky, category #6 faux fur yarn for a capelet similar to the sample shown in the photos.

Hook: Size U.S. L/11 (8 mm) hook or size needed to obtain gauge

Note: In an oversized piece like this, gauge is less important. Use this recommended hook or choose whichever hook achieves your desired fabric density.

Notions: Tapestry needle, twelve locking stitch markers. Optional—large toggle, button, ribbon, thread for closure

Note: You will use locking stitch markers to help keep track of your repeats by placing a marker in the second stitch of every increase. This will make it significantly easier to count your stitches or double-check your work as these stitches will all blend together into one smooth fabric and be difficult to distinguish. This will be especially helpful once you progress through the pattern and the rows have hundreds of stitches to count.

Gauge: 4 x 4″ [10 x 10 cm] = 5 sts and 4 rows in double crochet

Customization Ideas + Tips When Crocheting This Capelet

Tips

Sizing: This piece is designed as one size. Work your piece to any length by repeating Row 3 until reaching your desired measurements.
Stitch Counts: Stitch counts are listed after each row. If no stitch count is given, there has been no change since the previous row.
Reversible: There is no right side or wrong side of this fabric. You choose which side to wear as the “right side.”
Turning Chain: The turning chain does not count as a stitch.
Crocheting with Faux Fur Yarn: When working with faux fur yarn, your stitches will disappear into one smooth fabric and be difficult to distinguish. Use your fingers to feel for the next stitch, and simply add or skip a stitch if you realize your count is off by a stitch or two when you finish a row. Any minor mistakes like this will be hidden in your sea of fur stitches.
Construction: This capelet is worked from the top down in a circular yoke construction using only double crochet stitches, adding 12 stitches each row, until your desired capelet length.

Customization Ideas

To make a capelet of any length: To adjust the length, simply rep Row 3 until reaching your desired length.
To attach a toggle at the top: When you are satisfied with the size of your capelet, with a tapestry needle and faux fur yarn (or thread), sew on your toggle (or button) at the top corner where the tail is from your beginning chain, essentially joining the first and last stitches of Row 1.
To add a tie at the top: Use a fabric ribbon to weave through your first row of sts and tie a bow to close your capelet.
To make a cardigan: If you would like to create arm holes in this capelet for more of a cardigan style, you can do so with one simple step: Try on your capelet and stretch your arms out to the sides so they are parallel to the ground. Position the capelet to lay on your body the way you like to wear it, and then use locking stitch markers to grab the fabric on either side of your arm, creating an arm hole. Use a scrap piece of matching yarn to make a secure knot here, and do the same to the opposite arm, then in weave your ends. Alternatively, you can also work one more row of double crochets, skipping over the fabric you gathered for the arm holes.

Yarn Substitutions

The yarn used in my sample is a 92% acrylic, 8% rayon blend, however you are free to use any fiber content that you like for your own version! Always swatch before beginning so you can be sure your chosen yarn creates a fabric you love. Listed below you will see a variety of yarns that will work just fine in place of Fable Fur, so long as you match gauge!

The following yarns can be used in this pattern and will produce a lovely finished capelet:

Pattern Tester Photos

There were 500+ pattern testers for this book because I wanted to ensure all sizes are satisfied with the pattern and fit! Below you can see photos from the testing process to see how the sweater looks on different bodies with different modifications made using a variety of yarns.