Crochet Vampire Cape Pattern (Easy Kids Halloween Costume)

This crochet vampire cape is a simple A-shaped cape with a tall collar, a red edge and a soft tie at the neck. It is worked flat in half double crochet and grows wider by increasing a stitch at each edge every other row, so there is no complicated shaping.

It is a quick costume for kids aged about 4 to 8, and it works with almost any Halloween outfit. Because it is chunky yarn on a large hook, it works up fast for a garment.

What you need

• Bulky weight (size 5) yarn in black, about 300 g (an estimate)
• About 30 g of bulky yarn in red for the trim
• 6.5 mm (K-10.5) crochet hook
• Yarn needle and scissors

Abbreviations

This pattern is written in US terms.

• ch: chain
• sc: single crochet
• hdc: half double crochet
• st(s): stitch(es)

Size, gauge and notes

• Fits ages about 4 to 8. Finished length from the collar seam to the hem is about 22 in (56 cm). The neck edge is about 11.5 in (29 cm) wide and the hem is about 27.5 in (70 cm) wide.
• Gauge is about 11 hdc and 8 rows in 4 in (10 cm) with a 6.5 mm hook (an estimate). To change the length, add or remove 2 rows for every 1 in (2.5 cm).
• The turning chain (ch 2) at the start of each row does not count as a stitch.

How to crochet the vampire cape

Step 1: crochet the cape body

With black yarn, chain 34.

• Row 1: hdc in the 3rd ch from the hook and in each ch across (32)
• Row 2 (increase row): ch 2, turn, 2 hdc in the first stitch, hdc in each stitch across to the last stitch, 2 hdc in the last stitch (34)
• Row 3: ch 2, turn, hdc in each stitch across (34)

Repeat Rows 2 and 3 until you have finished Row 44. Every even row is an increase row, so Row 2n has 32 + 2n stitches. As a check: Row 10 has 42 stitches, Row 20 has 52, Row 30 has 62, Row 40 has 72, and Row 44 has 76. Fasten off.

Step 2: crochet the red trim

Join red yarn at the top corner of one side edge, with the right side facing you.

1. Ch 1 and work about 44 sc evenly down the side edge, one in each row end.
2. Work 3 sc in the bottom corner, then 1 sc in each of the 76 stitches along the hem.
3. Work 3 sc in the next corner and about 44 sc up the second side edge.
4. Fasten off and weave in the ends. The neck edge stays untrimmed for the collar.

Step 3: crochet the collar

Turn the cape so the foundation chain edge is at the top. With black yarn, work into the remaining loops of the foundation chain, the side you did not crochet into for Row 1.

• Row 1: join yarn, ch 1, sc in each of the 32 loops along the foundation chain (32)
• Rows 2 to 13: ch 1, turn, sc in each stitch across (32)

Fasten off. The collar is about 3.5 in (9 cm) tall. Fold it up so it stands, or fold it back for a softer look.

Step 4: make the ties (make 2)

With black yarn, ch 51.

• Row 1: sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across (50)

Fasten off. Sew one tie to each top corner of the collar, then weave in all ends.

A note on safety

Tie the ties loosely with a bow, and never leave them long enough to catch on anything. For children under 5, consider sewing on a button and loop or a piece of hook-and-loop tape instead of ties, so the cape can come off easily.

Conclusion

You have finished a crochet vampire cape with a tall collar, a red edge and an easy A-shape that swings when you walk. It is heavier than a fabric cape, so it hangs nicely and keeps a child warm on chilly trick-or-treat evenings.

Add a trick-or-treat bag and a bat ornament to pin on the collar, and you have a full costume. To make a bigger cape for a teen, keep adding pairs of rows before the collar, and use longer ties. Wash it by hand and dry it flat. For a witch instead of a vampire, see the witch costume hat.