Made and counted by Wren —

Open V-stitch capelet worked flat from 81 stitches

4.5 mm hook, size 1 fine yarn: a V-stitch capelet worked flat from an 81-stitch foundation chain.

IntermediateLevel

4-6 hoursTime

4.5 mmHook

FingeringYarn

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About this pattern

This capelet is worked flat in rows using a V-stitch and three-double-crochet repeat, starting from a chain of 81 stitches (99 for a larger size). A 4.5 mm hook and size 1 fine-weight yarn build the Main Pattern's 6 charted rows, where Row 6 begins the repeat section, before assembly, which joins panel ends with three double crochets and chain-12 loops for the finished edge. The finished piece is wet blocked and closed with single-crochet-wrapped chain ties.

This capelet works flat in rows, building V-stitches and three-double-crochet blocks across a foundation of 81 stitches (8 x 10 + 1), or 99 stitches for a roomier fit. Each row opens with a stacked single crochet standing in for the first double crochet, then alternates three double crochets with a chain-1 V-stitch worked into the previous row's chain-1 space. Assembly joins the ends with three double crochets and links panels with chain-12 loops, using a 4.5 mm hook and size 1 fine yarn throughout.

The pattern

Written out round by round

Materials

Mandala string yarn (size 1 fine yarn)
4.5 mm crochet hook (Prim size 7)
Stitch marker (safety pin)
Tape measure

Abbreviations

ch = chain
st = stitch
sl st = slip stitch
sc = single crochet
dc = double crochet

Main Pattern

Row 1Begin with 81 stitches (8 * 10 + 1) Start with a stacked single crochet (or chain 3 if you start rows with chains) to count as the first double crochetWork a double crochet into the chain right after the loop Do a double crochet in the next two stitches for a total of three double crochetsChain 1, skip two stitches, and in the third stitch, do a double crochet, chain 1, and another double crochet in the same stitch (creating a V-stitch)Skip two stitches again, and in the third stitch, start the next repetition with three double crochetsRepeat the sequence: chain 1, skip two stitches, V-stitch (double crochet, chain 1, double crochet in the same stitch), chain 1, skip two stitches, three double crochetsThe row should end with three double crochets If not, add two foundation double crochets to correct the end of the row(81)

Row 2Start with three double crochets (using a stacked single crochet for the first) Chain 1In the space of the V-stitch from the previous row, work two double crochets, chain 1, and two more double crochets in the same spaceChain 1 Double crochet over the three double crochets from the previous row Repeat the pattern across the row, ending with three double crochets

Row 3Start with three double crochets (using a stacked single crochet for the first) Chain 1In the middle chain space from row two, work three double crochets, chain 1, and another three double crochets in the same spaceChain 1 Work three double crochets over the three double crochets from the previous row Repeat the pattern across the row, ending with three double crochets

Row 4Start with a stacked single crochet for the first double crochet Chain 1, skip the middle double crochet, and do the next double crochetChain 1In the V-stitch space, work four double crochets, chain 1, and four more double crochets in the same space Chain 1 Skip the double crochet, work a double crochet into the middle double crochetChain 1Repeat the pattern: four double crochets, chain 1, four double crochets in the same chain space, chain 1, double crochet into the middle double crochet, chain 1End the row with a double crochet, chain 1, double crochet

Row 5Start with a stacked single crochet for the first double crochet, chain 1, and then the second double crochetChain 1In the V-stitch, work five double crochets, chain 1, and five more double crochets in the same space Chain 1 Work a double crochet in the double crochet from the previous rowChain seven (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) and slip stitch back into the top of that double crochet to create a circle Chain 1Repeat the pattern: five double crochets, chain 1, five double crochets in the V-stitch, chain 1, double crochet with a chain seven circle, chain 1End the row with a double crochet, chain 1, double crochet

Row 6Start with three double crochets Chain 2 Work a double crochet, chain 1, double crochet into the top of the stitch (V-stitch)Chain 2 In the circle created in the previous row, work five double crochets Chain 2 Skip stitches and work a double crochet, chain 1, double crochet into the center stitchChain 1 Work five double crochets into the next circle Chain 1 Repeat the pattern to the end of the row, finishing with three double crochets

Subsequent Repeats

For subsequent repetitions (starting from Row 2 of the repeat), instead of one chain stitch between elements, use two chain stitches

This applies to all rows after the first row of the repeat, including Row 5 of the repeat. The creator increased the chain stitches to three in the middle for the third repetition.

Assembly

Step 1Start with three double crochets at the ends

Step 2Chain 12

Step 3Slip stitch into the middle of the last stitch

Step 4Repeat: chain 12, slip stitch over the single double crochet

Step 5Finish with three double crochets at the end

BlockingThe capelet was wet blocked and hung to dry to stretch.

ClosureFor closure, single crochet ties were added by chaining and then single crocheting over the chain.

Tester's notes

81 stitches (8 x 10 + 1) set the foundation chain; recount before row 1, since one skipped stitch shifts every V-stitch position for the rest of the piece.

4.5 mm hook (a size 7) pairs with the size 1 fine yarn; a smaller hook tightens the V-stitch spaces and makes the chain-1 V harder to work into on the return row.

99 stitches is the size-up option noted in testing; swap in that count at the start for a wider capelet, keeping the multiple-of-8-plus-1 structure.

A stitch marker on the first stitch of each row helps track the three-double-crochet start, since it's easy to lose count after several V-stitch repeats.

Row endings must land on three double crochets; if the count comes up short, add two foundation double crochets rather than forcing an uneven V-stitch repeat.

Work in progress

Open V-stitch capelet worked flat from 81 stitches — photo 2

Open V-stitch capelet worked flat from 81 stitches — photo 3

At a glance

Rounds	6
Level	Intermediate
Time	4-6 hours
Hook	4.5 mm
Yarn	Fingering

Gauge check

After row 1, count 81 stitches across (99 if working the larger version) before continuing to row 2; a mismatch there means a skipped or extra stitch in the foundation chain.

No stitch-per-inch gauge is given, so judge the fabric by feel: the 4.5 mm hook and size 1 fine yarn should produce an open, drapey mesh rather than a stiff one.

If something looks wrong

V-stitches stop lining up above the: The skip-two-stitches count drifted somewhere in the row before it. Frog back to the last row where the three-double-crochet blocks sat directly over the previous three-double-crochet blocks and recount the skips from there.
The row doesn't end on three double crochets.: The starting stitch count didn't divide evenly into the 8-stitch repeat (81 or 99 stitches). Add two foundation double crochets at the end to correct it, as the pattern allows.
The capelet edge ruffles instead of lying flat.: The chain-12 loops in assembly were pulled tight instead of left relaxed. Redo the slip stitches with the same loose tension as the double crochet rows so the loops match the body's drape.
The fabric feels stiff instead of open and drapey.: The hook is running smaller than the 4.5 mm called for, or the size 1 fine yarn is being held too tightly. Check the hook size against 4.5 mm / US size 7 and loosen tension on the chain-1 spaces.

Yarn substitutions

Cotton, fingering weight (size 1)	Holds its shape more than the fine acrylic-blend original, so the V-stitch spaces stay open but the fabric loses some drape; keep the 4.5 mm hook and expect a slightly stiffer hand.
Wool-blend sock yarn, fingering weight (size 1)	Adds stretch and a softer drape than the fine-weight base yarn; the 4.5 mm hook still works, though blocking becomes more important to keep the V-stitch grid even.
Acrylic or acrylic-blend, sport weight (size 2)	One step up from the size 1 called for; move to a 5.0-5.5 mm hook to keep the same open mesh, and expect a heavier, warmer finished capelet.

Original pattern: https://crocheteverything.com/colorful-crochet-capelet-pattern-free-women-best-capelet-for-spring/

FAQs

Questions

Why start each row with a stacked single crochet instead of a chain-3?

Chaining 3 to stand in for a double crochet leaves a visible gap at the row edge; a stacked single crochet keeps that edge stitch tighter and closer in height to the double crochets beside it. Either method is workable, since the pattern lists chain-3 as an alternative.

Can the capelet be made larger than the pattern's base size?

Yes. Testing notes show the foundation chain frogged and re-worked from 81 stitches to 99 stitches for a bigger fit, keeping the same multiple-of-8-plus-1 structure.

How long is the Main Pattern before assembly starts?

The Main Pattern runs 6 charted rows (Row 1 through Row 6), starting with the 81-stitch foundation row and building the three-double-crochet-and-V-stitch repeat. Row 6 opens the repeat section, and from there rows repeat the same sequence with the chain count between elements increasing to two (then three, by the third repeat) until the piece reaches the desired length, at which point assembly begins.