In the 1960’s to 1980’s, some Canadian urbanites went back to the land by emigrating to remote Ontario rural communities like the little town of Harrowsmith in the Ottawa Valley. Disenchanted with city life, they built their homesteads as did the first settlers and plowed the rocky soil in hopes of eking out a simple life in rugged conditions. While many “Back-to-the-Landers” of this era still populate places like Harrowsmith, they are now within an hour’s drive of Tim Hortons and Walmart.

The Harrowsmith Cape is a practical cover-all that will take you from city to rural living. It is an ideal layer over a winter coat or a sweater, as well as on its own as a cardigan alternative. Designed in one piece, from the bottom-up, it is one-size-fits-all with a collar or hood option. The hood is beautifully shaped with substantial depth and a lovely drape at the neck when not worn. The Harrowsmith Cape is also the ideal project for local aran-weight farm wool (or alpaca!), bringing you “back to the land” as you knit!

Whether you are a rural or urban dweller, the Harrowsmith Cape will provide style, warmth and practicality through the harshest months of the year!

Materials:
5 skeins of Cascade Cloud
or approx. 800 yards aran/chunky weight yarn
6mm 80cm circular needle or size to obtain gauge
Set of 6mm double pointed needles (DPNs) or size to obtain gauge
Stitch markers
Stitch holder/spare circular needle
Wool needle
4 (for hood version) or 5 (collar version) buttons

Measurements: 66” around at hem. 14” Shoulder to hem. One size fits all, will fit 32”- 48” bust comfortably.

Skills Used:
Directional increases and decrease, using circular needles ( to accommodate large st count), using DPNs, grafting (kitchener stitch)

Gauge:
16 sts/ 24 rows= 4” in Stockinette using 6mm needle or size to obtain gauge.

Questions or comments? Please contact Ash Kearns directly or join my Ravelry group, Ash Kearns Handknitting!