rigg cape
The rigg cape is nielanell’s bestseller—it comes in a myriad of colourways and suits everyone, worn poncho or cape-style.
Design
Incredibly useful, this cape is a great extra layer. The design itself is simple, but the ridged Rigg fabric makes this a lovely, textural piece. Quite a few of our customers have these in a couple of different colours. Recently we've been told they are great for meetings on Zoom!
Colour
We make a myriad of very small edition colourways, most of which won't be repeated!
Materials & Manufacture
- 65% extra-fine merino wool
- 35% supersheen acrylic—a combination of fibres of superior quality and carefully sourced from Italy
- Made in the Shetland Islands, Scotland
Sizing & fit
Sizes available: one size
- A (width): 80cm
- B (length at longest point): 64cm
Fit notes
Size is very approximate due to the stretch, scrunch and drape of the Rigg textile. Can be easily worn by all shapes and sizes. The cape can be rotated and worn in various ways: as shown in the diagram; straight across the front with more length over the arms; asymmetrical.
The Rigg collection: design process and inspiration
There are many ways in which tradition can inspire. My bestselling knitwear collection, Rigg, borrows a principle from Fair Isle knitting.
Rigg pieces are not influenced by how Fair Isle knitting looks. Instead, inspiration came from the construction of these traditional pieces. In particular I became really interested in how air is knitted into Fair Isle garments, and the way this contributes to warmth and their characteristic, lofty handle.
The reverse of the Rigg knitted textile: tension-creating 'floats' of yarn create pockets of air
By manipulating tension during the knitting process, the Rigg fabric is pulled into soft ridges, which creates the pockets of air in this delightfully squishy fabric.
Great for travelling, Rigg pieces can be rolled up and popped in your bag.
Christmas 2025
Please order as early as you can for items to be delivered in time for Christmas.
The dates below are guides. Shetland weather can be unpredictable and customs checks – on international orders – may delay your parcel.
- UK (including NI): order by Friday 19 December.
- International (including USA & EU): order by Monday 1 December.
Shipping costs
- UK (including NI) P&P : £8 per order.
- EU & EEA: £20 per order. We have reopened shipping to these areas. Full information below.
- USA P&P: £20 per order. Please see important information on international orders, including USA, below.
- Rest of World P&P: £20 per order. Please read information on international deliveries below.
- Collection from Nielanell, Hoswick: free of charge (choose this option at checkout).
SHIPPING METHOD
- UK: we use Royal Mail. Items over a value of £100 will be sent using Special Delivery. This is a signed for, insured service.
- International: parcels are sent using a Royal Mail tracked service.
Customer service
Please DO get in touch if you have queries about any of our pieces. We endeavour to extend, to our online shoppers, the personal service we give here in Hoswick.
We have lots of happy customers both inside the UK and around the world and frequently correspond by email or telephone prior to a purchase being made.
Delivery times
- Most items should be available immediately.* If not, we will contact you to tell when the item will be available.
- We aim to send out your order just as soon as possible and within a week of ordering.* If you need an item sent immediately, just let us know and we will be delighted to try to help you.
- Please note, you can also choose to collect your order from Nielanell, Hoswick, using the click-and-collect option. This option is not available during holiday periods.
* Special orders and pre-orders: if your item is a special order or a pre-order, we will inform you of the lead time, where possible, when you order. For pre-orders made through our website, please read the information on the individual product page.
International (any destination outwith UK)
- For many destinations outside the UK, is likely that there will be customs charges or tariffs payable. Customers are responsible for any customs charges, taxes or tariffs applicable in their own country. Please see information for specific destinations below. For further information, get in touch with your local customs office so that you know what to expect.
- Customs charges and taxes vary between countries and unfortunately we are not able to predict what they might be.
- EU, EEA and Northern Ireland: shipping is now open to these areas, with taxes likely to be payable on arrival. See information below.
- USA: from 29 August 2025 there will be new US customs charges for parcels arriving from the UK. We will still be sending to the USA. Please see our full notes below.
- Issues with customs can delay delivery. Please do place orders in good time, particularly for Christmas or other special occasions.
- Please read our full returns policy before making an order.
- Returns can become expensive for international customers, so don't worry about asking questions before you order! We'd love to help you choose the right garment – please just get in touch if you’d like any information or help shopping online.
EU & EEA
EU GPSR
- We have reopened shipping to areas affected by the EU General Product Safety Regulation: you can read our GPSR Compliance information here.
- We are not currently collecting any duties or taxes at checkout, so any charges will be payable by you on receipt of your order. Please check with your local customs office for a guide to what charges may be.
- Parcels are likely to take a little bit longer to reach you, so please order in plenty of time.
Thank you so much to all our EU, EEA and NI customers for your patience and support and do get in touch if you have any queries.
Northern Ireland
EU GPSR
- We have reopened shipping Northern Ireland (and other areas affected by the EU General Product Safety Regulation): you can read our GPSR Compliance information here.
USA
We are continuing to ship to the United States.
NEW TARIFFS
From Friday 29 August 2025, all parcels arriving in the USA from the UK will have tariffs applied, which must be paid before the goods arrive at US customs.
The tariff payable will be shown when you checkout with us online.
SHOPPING WITH US
- Pay at checkout: at checkout, you'll see the tariff itemised.
- Royal Mail: we are using a new Royal Mail service, which allows us to pre-pay the duty on your order when we ship it.
- No extra charges: with duty pre-paid, your parcel should clear US Customs with no issues.
- Timings: please do bear with us while this new system comes into operation. It’s quite likely that your parcel might take longer than usual to reach you.
If you have any queries at all do get in touch.
Thank you so much for your continued support and custom.
Nielanell knitwear is designed to last
Here are a few recommendations to help ensure your garment lives a long and happy life:
- Less is more when it comes to washing, many people find quality knitwear can be worn without washing for a long time (feel free to use our advice as a reason to do less laundry!).
- Handwashing your garment is recommended.
- We suggest that you hand-wash your garment using liquid for woollens, or flakes at 30 degrees or less. Harsh detergents are likely to ruin your knitwear.
- You may wish to wash in the machine on a very gentle hand-wash wool cycle at 30 degrees or less, using a small quantity of detergent specifically designed for delicate/wool items—but you need to ensure your washing machine uses a very gentle cycle. You must be confident in using your washing machine for woollens. We will not be responsible for items which shrink or felt by inappropriate machine washing or are damaged through use of regular detergents.
- Do not wring.
- Do not tumble dry.
- Dry flat on a rack or in the fresh air, and steam/press very lightly*.
- Alternatively, you can dry clean the garment.
*Don’t iron Rigg pieces. We also recommend that you do not stretch out the textile when drying. Lie the piece flat, but with a bit of a crumple to allow for the natural spring in the fabric to contract. No need to steam or press.
Each piece of Nielanell knitwear is individually knitted by our manufacturers and then finished by hand in-house.
Many of our collections are made in very small edition colourways, with a constantly changing selection.
If you’re looking for something in particular, that you can’t see on the website, please do get in touch—we often have more colourways in stock that don’t make it onto the website!
NB Please treat garment measurements as approximate, knitwear can be difficult to measure and each item will differ slightly.