Crochet Batwing Shoulder Cape for Adults – Free Pattern

This original crochet batwing shoulder cape for adults is a crochet bat wing cape designed as a complete crochet project, not a motif attached to an unrelated base. The written directions use US crochet terms and name the shaping and assembly checkpoints. Work a washed swatch and compare the finished measurements with the intended use before continuing.

A top-down semicircular black shoulder cape begins at a curved neck edge, grows by six marked increases per row, and ends in six separate scalloped wing points. The middle pair is longest, the next pair medium, and the outside pair shortest. Two hook-and-eye closures are permanently sewn at the front neckline.

Pattern Details

• Hook Size: 5 mm, adjusted to gauge
• Finished Size: S/M: about 18-inch neckline, 48-inch main outer arc, 7-inch body depth; L/XL: 21-inch neckline, 54-inch main outer arc, 8-inch body depth, plus pointed hems
• Gauge: Target 16 sc and 12 rows = 4 inches after washing
• Estimated Time: 10-15 hours
• Construction: Top-down flat semicircle with six growth sectors and six separately tapered wing points
• Skill level: Intermediate

Why You’ll Love This Project

The silhouette communicates the Halloween idea without relying on copied imagery or printed templates. Separate stages make it possible to inspect the shape before assembly, while the limited palette keeps the stitch texture visible. The project is designed for a complete tutorial with clear finishing and care guidance.

Materials

• Approximately 620 (750) yards smooth black worsted yarn
• 5 mm hook, seven removable markers, tapestry needle, scissors and tape measure
• Two small black hook-and-eye closures and matching strong sewing thread; closures are permanently stitched on, not glued

Gauge, Measurements, and Planning

At 16 sc per 4 inches, the 72 (84) stitch neckline is about 18 (21) inches before any closure overlap. Check this against your actual shoulder and neck opening on a paper or fabric mock-up. Twenty (22) growing rows extend the body about 7 (8) inches at the target row gauge. The cape is a costume accessory, not safety equipment.

Make and wash a gauge swatch before beginning. Measure only after the swatch is completely dry. If the stitch width differs, change hook size rather than pulling the working yarn tighter. Keep a written count at the end of every section so the finished edges remain balanced and the assembly points line up.

Abbreviations and Special Stitches

• ch: chain
• sc: single crochet
• hdc: half double crochet
• dc: double crochet
• sl st: slip stitch
• st(s): stitch(es)
• rnd: round
• BLO: back loop only
• inc: two stitches in one stitch
• sc2tog: single-crochet two stitches together
• hdc2tog: half-double-crochet two stitches together

Special stitch guidance: Each increase row places one 2-sc increase at the end of each of six equal marked sectors. For a wing point, sc2tog across the first two and last two stitches of a separate sector row, decreasing the width by two. A scalloped edge uses a small three-hdc cluster in selected row-end spaces after the points are complete.

Important Notes

• Development note: the written stitch arithmetic has been checked computationally, but this design has not been physically sample-tested. Gauge, yardage, fit and dimensions are planning targets. Make a swatch and a trial fit or assembly before gifting.
• Turning chains and joining slip stitches are not counted unless a step explicitly says otherwise. Mark the first counted stitch of each round or the first and last stitches of a flat row.
• Use the washed gauge to check dimensions at each named checkpoint. If the count is right but the measurement is wrong, change hook or yarn and reswatch rather than adding unplanned stitches.
• Keep all yarn tails on the wrong side and weave them through three different stitch paths before trimming. Do not use glue for structural joints.

Complete Instructions for Crochet Batwing Shoulder Cape for Adults

Grow the Six-Sector Cape Body

1. For S/M, ch 73; Row 1: sc in second chain and every remaining chain. (72 sts) For L/XL, ch 85 and work 84 sc. Place markers after every 12 (14) stitches to form six equal neckline sectors; ch 1 and turn.
2. S/M Row 2: in each of six consecutive sectors, sc in the next 11 stitches, then 2 sc in the final stitch of that sector; move each marker after the new sector. Ch 1 and turn except after the final body row. (78 sts)
3. S/M Row 3: in each of six consecutive sectors, sc in the next 12 stitches, then 2 sc in the final stitch of that sector; move each marker after the new sector. Ch 1 and turn except after the final body row. (84 sts)
4. S/M Row 4: in each of six consecutive sectors, sc in the next 13 stitches, then 2 sc in the final stitch of that sector; move each marker after the new sector. Ch 1 and turn except after the final body row. (90 sts)
5. S/M Row 5: in each of six consecutive sectors, sc in the next 14 stitches, then 2 sc in the final stitch of that sector; move each marker after the new sector. Ch 1 and turn except after the final body row. (96 sts)
6. S/M Row 6: in each of six consecutive sectors, sc in the next 15 stitches, then 2 sc in the final stitch of that sector; move each marker after the new sector. Ch 1 and turn except after the final body row. (102 sts)
7. S/M Row 7: in each of six consecutive sectors, sc in the next 16 stitches, then 2 sc in the final stitch of that sector; move each marker after the new sector. Ch 1 and turn except after the final body row. (108 sts)
8. S/M Row 8: in each of six consecutive sectors, sc in the next 17 stitches, then 2 sc in the final stitch of that sector; move each marker after the new sector. Ch 1 and turn except after the final body row. (114 sts)
9. S/M Row 9: in each of six consecutive sectors, sc in the next 18 stitches, then 2 sc in the final stitch of that sector; move each marker after the new sector. Ch 1 and turn except after the final body row. (120 sts)
10. S/M Row 10: in each of six consecutive sectors, sc in the next 19 stitches, then 2 sc in the final stitch of that sector; move each marker after the new sector. Ch 1 and turn except after the final body row. (126 sts)
11. S/M Row 11: in each of six consecutive sectors, sc in the next 20 stitches, then 2 sc in the final stitch of that sector; move each marker after the new sector. Ch 1 and turn except after the final body row. (132 sts)
12. S/M Row 12: in each of six consecutive sectors, sc in the next 21 stitches, then 2 sc in the final stitch of that sector; move each marker after the new sector. Ch 1 and turn except after the final body row. (138 sts)
13. S/M Row 13: in each of six consecutive sectors, sc in the next 22 stitches, then 2 sc in the final stitch of that sector; move each marker after the new sector. Ch 1 and turn except after the final body row. (144 sts)
14. S/M Row 14: in each of six consecutive sectors, sc in the next 23 stitches, then 2 sc in the final stitch of that sector; move each marker after the new sector. Ch 1 and turn except after the final body row. (150 sts)
15. S/M Row 15: in each of six consecutive sectors, sc in the next 24 stitches, then 2 sc in the final stitch of that sector; move each marker after the new sector. Ch 1 and turn except after the final body row. (156 sts)
16. S/M Row 16: in each of six consecutive sectors, sc in the next 25 stitches, then 2 sc in the final stitch of that sector; move each marker after the new sector. Ch 1 and turn except after the final body row. (162 sts)
17. S/M Row 17: in each of six consecutive sectors, sc in the next 26 stitches, then 2 sc in the final stitch of that sector; move each marker after the new sector. Ch 1 and turn except after the final body row. (168 sts)
18. S/M Row 18: in each of six consecutive sectors, sc in the next 27 stitches, then 2 sc in the final stitch of that sector; move each marker after the new sector. Ch 1 and turn except after the final body row. (174 sts)
19. S/M Row 19: in each of six consecutive sectors, sc in the next 28 stitches, then 2 sc in the final stitch of that sector; move each marker after the new sector. Ch 1 and turn except after the final body row. (180 sts)
20. S/M Row 20: in each of six consecutive sectors, sc in the next 29 stitches, then 2 sc in the final stitch of that sector; move each marker after the new sector. Ch 1 and turn except after the final body row. (186 sts)
21. S/M Row 21: in each of six consecutive sectors, sc in the next 30 stitches, then 2 sc in the final stitch of that sector; move each marker after the new sector. Ch 1 and turn except after the final body row. (192 sts)
22. L/XL Row 2: in each of six consecutive sectors, sc in the next 13 stitches, then 2 sc in the final stitch of that sector; move each marker after the new sector. Ch 1 and turn except after the final body row. (90 sts)
23. L/XL Row 3: in each of six consecutive sectors, sc in the next 14 stitches, then 2 sc in the final stitch of that sector; move each marker after the new sector. Ch 1 and turn except after the final body row. (96 sts)
24. L/XL Row 4: in each of six consecutive sectors, sc in the next 15 stitches, then 2 sc in the final stitch of that sector; move each marker after the new sector. Ch 1 and turn except after the final body row. (102 sts)
25. L/XL Row 5: in each of six consecutive sectors, sc in the next 16 stitches, then 2 sc in the final stitch of that sector; move each marker after the new sector. Ch 1 and turn except after the final body row. (108 sts)
26. L/XL Row 6: in each of six consecutive sectors, sc in the next 17 stitches, then 2 sc in the final stitch of that sector; move each marker after the new sector. Ch 1 and turn except after the final body row. (114 sts)
27. L/XL Row 7: in each of six consecutive sectors, sc in the next 18 stitches, then 2 sc in the final stitch of that sector; move each marker after the new sector. Ch 1 and turn except after the final body row. (120 sts)
28. L/XL Row 8: in each of six consecutive sectors, sc in the next 19 stitches, then 2 sc in the final stitch of that sector; move each marker after the new sector. Ch 1 and turn except after the final body row. (126 sts)
29. L/XL Row 9: in each of six consecutive sectors, sc in the next 20 stitches, then 2 sc in the final stitch of that sector; move each marker after the new sector. Ch 1 and turn except after the final body row. (132 sts)
30. L/XL Row 10: in each of six consecutive sectors, sc in the next 21 stitches, then 2 sc in the final stitch of that sector; move each marker after the new sector. Ch 1 and turn except after the final body row. (138 sts)
31. L/XL Row 11: in each of six consecutive sectors, sc in the next 22 stitches, then 2 sc in the final stitch of that sector; move each marker after the new sector. Ch 1 and turn except after the final body row. (144 sts)
32. L/XL Row 12: in each of six consecutive sectors, sc in the next 23 stitches, then 2 sc in the final stitch of that sector; move each marker after the new sector. Ch 1 and turn except after the final body row. (150 sts)
33. L/XL Row 13: in each of six consecutive sectors, sc in the next 24 stitches, then 2 sc in the final stitch of that sector; move each marker after the new sector. Ch 1 and turn except after the final body row. (156 sts)
34. L/XL Row 14: in each of six consecutive sectors, sc in the next 25 stitches, then 2 sc in the final stitch of that sector; move each marker after the new sector. Ch 1 and turn except after the final body row. (162 sts)
35. L/XL Row 15: in each of six consecutive sectors, sc in the next 26 stitches, then 2 sc in the final stitch of that sector; move each marker after the new sector. Ch 1 and turn except after the final body row. (168 sts)
36. L/XL Row 16: in each of six consecutive sectors, sc in the next 27 stitches, then 2 sc in the final stitch of that sector; move each marker after the new sector. Ch 1 and turn except after the final body row. (174 sts)
37. L/XL Row 17: in each of six consecutive sectors, sc in the next 28 stitches, then 2 sc in the final stitch of that sector; move each marker after the new sector. Ch 1 and turn except after the final body row. (180 sts)
38. L/XL Row 18: in each of six consecutive sectors, sc in the next 29 stitches, then 2 sc in the final stitch of that sector; move each marker after the new sector. Ch 1 and turn except after the final body row. (186 sts)
39. L/XL Row 19: in each of six consecutive sectors, sc in the next 30 stitches, then 2 sc in the final stitch of that sector; move each marker after the new sector. Ch 1 and turn except after the final body row. (192 sts)
40. L/XL Row 20: in each of six consecutive sectors, sc in the next 31 stitches, then 2 sc in the final stitch of that sector; move each marker after the new sector. Ch 1 and turn except after the final body row. (198 sts)
41. L/XL Row 21: in each of six consecutive sectors, sc in the next 32 stitches, then 2 sc in the final stitch of that sector; move each marker after the new sector. Ch 1 and turn except after the final body row. (204 sts)
42. L/XL Row 22: in each of six consecutive sectors, sc in the next 33 stitches, then 2 sc in the final stitch of that sector; move each marker after the new sector. Ch 1 and turn except after the final body row. (210 sts)
43. L/XL Row 23: in each of six consecutive sectors, sc in the next 34 stitches, then 2 sc in the final stitch of that sector; move each marker after the new sector. Ch 1 and turn except after the final body row. (216 sts)
44. Stop S/M after Row 21 at 192 stitches, six 32-stitch sectors. Stop L/XL after Row 23 at 216 stitches, six 36-stitch sectors. Check the measured neckline and body depth before beginning the six separate points.

Taper Six Graduated Wing Points

1. Number the six 32 (36) stitch hem sectors from left front to right front as 1-6. Work each point separately by joining yarn at the first stitch of its sector; do not work into a neighboring sector’s stitches. Work into both loops and turn after every point row.
2. Point setup rows: Points 1 and 6 have zero even rows; Points 2 and 5 have two even rows; Points 3 and 4 have four even rows. On each even row, sc across all 32 (36) sector stitches, ch 1 and turn. Each setup row remains (32 sts) for S/M or (36 sts) for L/XL.
3. Point taper Row 1: sc2tog over the first two sector stitches, sc in every stitch until two remain, sc2tog over the last two; ch 1 and turn. (30 sts) S/M or (34 sts) L/XL.
4. Repeat that exact first-two/last-two decrease on every following taper row. S/M counts after taper Rows 2-15 are 28, 26, 24, 22, 20, 18, 16, 14, 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2 stitches. L/XL continues through taper Row 17, with counts 32, 30, 28, 26, 24, 22, 20, 18, 16, 14, 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2 stitches after Rows 2-17. Ch 1 and turn after each row except the last.
5. Point final row: sc2tog over the final two stitches, fasten off. (1 st) Each point narrows symmetrically. The outer pair has 16 (18) taper rows total, the next pair has two additional even rows, and the center pair four additional even rows.
6. Repeat this sequence for all six sectors. Check that no old body-hem stitch was skipped or worked twice and that the point lengths mirror 1/6, 2/5 and 3/4.

Scallop the Edges and Fit the Closure

1. Attach black at one front neck corner and work one sc into each exposed row end down that straight front edge. At every fourth point-edge row end, replace that sc with three hdc in the same row-end space to make a restrained scallop; work one sc into each other exposed point-edge row end. Continue along all six point edges and the other front edge. Do not bridge the V-shaped gaps between points.
2. Work one sc in each of the 72 (84) neckline foundation loops and join to the first edging stitch. Fasten off. The neckline edging stabilizes the curve without adding a drawstring or long tie.
3. Try on the cape over adult clothing. Sew two hook-and-eye sets permanently to the reinforced front neckline positions described in Assembly. Check shoulder movement and remove or reposition a closure if the front pulls. Do not use around machinery or open flames.

Assembly and Shaping

Lay the cape flat with the neck edge curved and the six wing points evenly spaced along the hem. Sew two hook-and-eye sets through reinforced fabric at the front neckline, one at the neck edge and a second 1 inch below, with at least eight thread passes through each hardware eye. The metal pieces remain permanently attached to the cape. Close them only for adult wear; check that the cape releases freely without snagging hair or restricting arm movement.

Lay every component on a flat surface before joining. Match the marked centers first, then divide each remaining edge into equal sections. Work through both layers with consistent tension and pause after each section to check that the fabric lies flat. This measured approach prevents twisting and keeps decorative details facing the intended direction.

Finishing

1. Weave each yarn tail through several same-color stitches, reverse direction twice and stretch the fabric gently before trimming.
2. Block to the stated shape according to the yarn label and let every component dry fully before final assembly.
3. Inspect the first and last row, joins, edges, and any sewn attachment from both sides; repair loose stitches before use.
4. Include the fiber content, finished dimensions and care instructions when gifting. Keep yarn projects away from open flames and direct heat.

For a polished result, weave each tail through several same-color stitches, reverse direction once, and trim only after the fabric has been gently stretched. Block to the listed dimensions without flattening textured stitches. Inspect joins, borders, straps, and decorative pieces before the project is used or gifted.

Helpful Tips

• Place removable markers at each shaping repeat and record the count before beginning the next row.
• Use a contrasting cloth behind dark yarn so it is easier to see both loops of every stitch.
• Lay the piece flat and compare opposite sides at each measurement checkpoint rather than pulling one side to match.
• If an edge ripples or cups unexpectedly, stop and check stitch count and washed gauge before adding a border.

Good lighting and a contrasting stitch marker make counting much easier. If a section looks uneven, compare the current count with the previous checkpoint before continuing. Fixing one missed stitch early is faster than compensating later, and it preserves the measurements used by the assembly instructions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this pattern physically tested?

No physical sample test is claimed. The stitch counts were checked computationally. Swatch, measure and trial-fit the piece before relying on the suggested dimensions.

Can I substitute another yarn?

Yes, if a washed swatch matches both stitch and row gauge and the resulting fabric has the required structure. Recalculate yardage and recheck every measurement checkpoint.

Can I change the colors?

Yes. Preserve yarn weight and contrast where a shaping or decorative feature must remain visible, and make a new swatch for the substitute yarn.

Conclusion

Keep the measured dimensions and yarn details with your pattern notes. Check the construction and safety guidance before styling or gifting the finished crochet project.

BabyYarnie Printable Crochet Pattern Card

BabyYarnie — easy-to-follow crochet for everyday makers.

Project: Crochet Batwing Shoulder Cape for Adults

Skill level: Intermediate   Hook: 5 mm, adjusted to gauge   Yarn: Worsted

Finished size: S/M: about 18-inch neckline, 48-inch main outer arc, 7-inch body depth; L/XL: 21-inch neckline, 54-inch main outer arc, 8-inch body depth, plus pointed hems

Card Materials

• Approximately 620 (750) yards smooth black worsted yarn
• 5 mm hook, seven removable markers, tapestry needle, scissors and tape measure
• Two small black hook-and-eye closures and matching strong sewing thread; closures are permanently stitched on, not glued

Card Instructions

1. Grow the Six-Sector Cape Body: Work 72 (84) neckline stitches and add six stitches per row through Row 21 (23), ending at 192 (216).
2. Taper Six Graduated Wing Points: Six independent tapered points with 0, 2 or 4 extra even rows in mirrored pairs.
3. Scallop the Edges and Fit the Closure: Lightly scallop each point edge, stabilize the neck and securely sew on two front hook-and-eye closures.

Finish: Check every count, weave in all ends, block to measurement, and inspect each join.