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Hooded Bat Cape · Free Crochet Pattern


Ever wanted to become a bat? Well, now you can with this crochet pattern!  


    Links


    The Bat Cape is a hooded capelet that features a warm hood with two cute bat ears, beautiful wings, and armholes to keep them on the wearer's wrists!  This pattern requires minimal sewing and is relatively fast to work up.  


    My little one, Lena Rose, seems to be taking this modeling gig quite seriously.  Look at that stone face!


    Here's a look at the bat cape from behind!  My little one's arms are a tad short for the length of this cape, so as you can see it droops at the arms! I wanted to make it a bit bigger for her to grow into, but I think it's a tad too big now, heheh... Regardless, she loves it!



    Uses 

    This whimsical dress up accessory is great as a... 
    • Halloween costume
    • Pretend play outfit
    • Cosplay
    • Kids birthday gift
    • Christmas or holiday gift
    • Craft fair product
    • ...and more!
    It's unisex and gender neutral, and so fun for kids to dress up in!  unisex and gender neutral, and so fun for kids.  Boys and girls alike will love wearing and flying around in this Waldorf style cape! 

    Yep...there's a smile!


    Sizing & Adjustments

    This pattern can easily be adjusted to fit all sizes! That includes baby, toddler, child, teen, and adult. 

    The wingspan can be made longer or shorter following the pattern instructions.  Just add more rows until you reach the desired length! 

    The hood is written as "one size fits most" (from toddler to adult).  There are additional instructions/tips included for crocheting a smaller hood (to fit babies), and an extra large hood (to fit larger adults). 

    Sorry...had to add this extra photo in because Lena's cheeks look way too lush.



    Yarn

    To make your cape exactly like mine, try going with some chunky chenille velvet yarn (I used Hobbii's Honey Bunny Yarn). It's a great choice for making a soft and plush capelet that feels soft to the skin and comfy to wear. 

    You are welcome to use other yarn fibers or weights, as the size of this pattern is easily adjustable!  



    PDF Pattern

    The PDF pattern is printable, ad-free, easy to read, includes photo references, and helps support Sweet Softies! It is 10 pages wtih detailed written instructions and over 40 step-by-step photos to guide you through the crochet process. (If you enjoy my free patterns, you can consider it as a donation to me when you buy one of my pattern PDFs! It allows me to maintain my blog and continue sharing more free patterns.)

    You can get the PDF pattern from my storeRavelryEtsy, or Hobbii.





    HOODED BAT CAPE

    Free Crochet Pattern


    Terms of Use & Copyright Notice © 2023 Sweet Softies (www.sweetsofties.com). You have permission to sell finished products made from this pattern, but you must credit Sweet Softies as the owner/creator of this pattern by linking to my website (www.sweetsofties.com). No wholesale. You may not translate, copy, alter, or sell my patterns in part or in whole in any way. My patterns may not be used in video tutorials or teaching online classes. My patterns may be used in teaching in-person classes ONLY with written consent from me. You may link to this pattern but you may not copy any part of the pattern instructions on other websites.


    Crochet Pattern Information


    Size:

    Wingspan: 36” across (can easily be adjusted/expanded) Hood: 12” height, 10” width. Fits toddler, child, and most adults. Instructions to make smaller/larger hoods included.  


    Level of Difficulty:

    ★★☆☆☆ Familiar Beginner/Intermediate. Requires familiarity with stitches used (below), attaching yarn, and sewing parts together. 


    Stitches/Terms Used:

    • FO = fasten off 
    • ch = chain 
    • ch-sp = chain space 
    • sl st = slip stitch 
    • sc = single crochet 
    • inc = increase (insert 2 sc in same st) 
    • dec = decrease (sc 2 sts together) 
    • dc = double crochet 
    • dc-inc = insert 2 dc in same st 
    • dc-dec = dc 2 stitches together


    Materials:

    • Honey Bunny Yarn or Baby Snuggle Yarn (super bulky “6” yarn) in the colors: light grey, dark grey, black 
    • 6mm crochet hook (for the ears)
    • 9mm crochet hook (for the hood and cape)
    • Yarn needle
    • Scissors 



    Crochet Instructions


    HOOD

    Notes: 
    • The starting chains do not count as stitches in the end-of-round stitch count.
    • Finish R1-R4 by joining with a sl st to the first dc. Do not join for R5-R12.

    Size Adjustment Tips:
    • Smaller Hood: Skip R4 and work the repetition (R6-R11) until the hood’s length is adequate. Then, finish with R12’s instructions.
    • Extra Large Hood: Add another round of increases after R4 by doing: ch 3, (dc 3, dc-inc) x 12, join (60 sts). Then, continue with R5 and work the repetition (R6-R11) until the hood’s length is adequate. Then, finish with R12’s instructions.

    Use the 9mm hook and dark gray yarn.

    R1: Ch 4 and insert 12 dc in the 4th ch from hook. Join with a sl st to the first dc. (12)

    R2: Ch 3, dc-inc around. Join. (24)

    R3: Ch 3, (dc, dc-inc) x 12. Join. (36)

    R4: Ch 3, (dc 2, dc-inc) x 12. Join. (48)

    At this point, the circle measures about 8 inches across.

    R5: Ch 3, insert a dc in each st. Do not join; proceed to work in turned rows. (48)

    R6-R11: Ch 3, turn. Dc across. (48)

    R12: Ch, turn. Sl st across in FLO. (48)

    FO with a long tail to sew the hood to the cape later.


    EARS (x2)

    Notes: 
    • Finish each round by joining with a sl st to the first dc.
    • The starting chains do not count as stitches in the end-of-round stitch count.

    Use the 6mm hook and black yarn.

    R1: Ch 4 and insert 8 dc in 4th ch from hook. Join with a sl st to the first dc. (8)

    R2: Ch 3, (dc, dc-inc) x 4. Join. (12)

    R3: Ch 3, (dc 2, dc-inc) x 4. Join. (16)

    FO with a long tail for sewing to the hood later. As a finishing detail, you can use light grey yarn to embroider lines of texture over one side of the ear.


    WINGS

    Notes: 
    • Video tutorial for the wings are available here
    • The starting “ch 5” counts as a dc and a ch.
    • Since gauge and tension may differ, stop when the length of the piece reaches the desired wingspan.

    Use the 9mm hook and start with light grey yarn.

    R1: Ch 5 and insert a dc in the 5th ch from the hook. (Ch, dc) x 3. (5 dc, 5 ch)

    R2: Ch 5, turn. Insert 2 dc in first ch-sp. (Ch 2, insert 2 dc in next ch-sp) x 3. Ch 2 and dc in the last ch-sp (alongside the 2 dc). (10 dc, 5 ch-sp)

    R3: Ch 5, turn. Insert 2 dc in first ch-sp. (Dc 2, ch 2, dc 2) all in the next ch-sp x 3. In the last ch-sp: dc 2, ch 2, dc.

    R4: Ch 5, turn. Insert 2 dc in first ch-sp. (Dc on top of the next dc. Sk the next 2 dc. Dc on top of next dc. In ch-sp: dc 2, ch 2, dc 2.) x 3. Dc on top of the next dc. Sk the next 2 dc. Dc on top of next dc. In the last ch-sp: dc 2, ch 2, dc.

    R5: Ch 5, turn. Insert 2 dc in first ch-sp. (Dc 2, sk 2, dc 2. In ch-sp: dc 2, ch 2, dc 2) x 3. Dc 2, sk 2, dc 2. In the last ch-sp: dc 2, ch 2, dc.

    R6: Ch 5, turn. Insert 2 dc in first ch-sp. (Dc 3, sk 2, dc 3. In ch-sp: dc 2, ch 2, dc 2) x 3. Dc 3, sk 2, dc 3. In the last ch-sp: dc 2, ch 2, dc.

    R7: Ch 5, turn. Insert 2 dc in first ch-sp. (Dc 4, sk 2, dc 4. In ch-sp: dc 2, ch 2, dc 2) x 3. Dc 4, sk 2, dc 4. In the last ch-sp: dc 2, ch 2, dc.

    R8: Ch 5, turn. Insert 2 dc in first ch-sp. (Dc 5, sk 2, dc 5. In ch-sp: dc 2, ch 2, dc 2) x 3. Dc 5, sk 2, dc 5. In the last ch-sp: dc 2, ch 2, dc.

    R9: Ch 5, turn. Insert 2 dc in first ch-sp. (Dc 6, sk 2, dc 6. In ch-sp: dc 2, ch 2, dc 2) x 3. Dc 6, sk 2, dc 6. In the last ch-sp: dc 2, ch 2, dc.

    R10: Ch 5, turn. Insert 2 dc in first ch-sp. (Dc 7, sk 2, dc 7. In ch-sp: dc 2, ch 2, dc 2) x 3. Dc 7, sk 2, dc 7. In the last ch-sp: dc 2, ch 2, dc.

    R11: Ch 5, turn. Insert 2 dc in first ch-sp. (Dc 8, sk 2, dc 8. In ch-sp: dc 2, ch 2, dc 2) x 3. Dc 8, sk 2, dc 8. In the last ch-sp: dc 2, ch 2, dc.

    R12: Ch 5, turn. Insert 2 dc in first ch-sp. (Dc 9, sk 2, dc 9. In ch-sp: dc 2, ch 2, dc 2) x 3. Dc 9, sk 2, dc 9. In the last ch-sp: dc 2, ch 2, dc.

    At this point, the length/wingspan measures approximately 36 inches (89 cm) across, which is a good size for a toddler child. Depending on how tightly/loosely you crochet, your cape’s length may be shorter or longer. If more length is needed, continue adding rows with this repetitive pattern until the length reaches your desired wingspan.  Here is a helpful guide on wingspan by age.

    Switch to dark grey yarn. We will now crochet the Wing’s Top Edging and Armholes, working across the length of the wingspan.

    R13: Ch, turn, insert 3 sc in the first dc gap. Repeat this across by inserting 3 sc in each gap, but pause to insert 1 sc in the very center st of the wingspan before continuing on.

    Armhole #1: Ch 15 (or however long you want the armhole loop to be), and sl st back into the same st. Turn the piece.

    R14: Sc in the same st, then sc in each st across. Sl st in the last st.

    Armhole #2: Ch 15, sl st back into the same st.

    FO with a tail for weaving in the ends.


    FINISHING

    1. Sew the bottom edge of the hood to the top edge of the wings, making sure you are centering the hood.
    2. Flatten the ears and position them close to the top of the hood, between R10-R11. If it helps, fold the hood in half vertically to find where the center/mid-point is, then place the ears to the left and right of the center.
    3. Sew the ears to the hood securely with the long yarn tail and a yarn needle.





    Thank you for reading, and hope you had a fun time crocheting this project!  If you'd like to help out my blog, feel free to check out my post, "5 Ways to Support my Blog!"

    You might like my other designs if you enjoyed this one!  Simply click on the image below for the pattern, or check out all my free patterns here.

      




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