marlet cape
A striking and easy-to-wear cape. The design has the mottled quality of a lichen, but it’s actually a Nielanell take on animal ‘print’. Scroll on to find out which animal…
The fabric is luxurious merino, knitted in reverse jacquard, which drapes beautifully. Wear it poncho-style with the point to the centre, or straight—or how you like. Tip: capes are a useful layer for stylish cyclists, or for meetings in person or on Zoom!
Pattern & colour
Engineered pattern gives this a unique and interesting look, being more like a fine art print than a repeating pattern.
Colour popping combinations or subtle tones are amongst the small edition colourways available. Once sold out, colours are unlikely to be repeated.
Materials & manufacture
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Reverse jacquard
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100% extra-fine merino wool
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Knitted by skilled local craftspeople and hand-finished in the Shetland Islands, Scotland.
Sizing and fit
One size
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A (neck): 30cm
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B (neck to longest point): 63cm
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C (width at widest point): 81cm
All knitwear is individually made, so measurements given are approximate.
A process graphic for the Marlet design derived from the markings on an Asian elephant's ear.
A Nielanell version of animal ‘print’
Marlet design inspiration
Visitors to the studio shop in Shetland wonder whether the inspiration for this design might have come from seals (an animal we see a lot in Shetland). Others think that the source material might be lichen. But nobody has correctly guessed that the textile design originally came from the ear of an Asian elephant!
I was lucky to encounter these amazing creatures when travelling in Kerala. Both the markings and the soft, velvety texture of an elephant’s ear inspired me to design this textile. The dappled markings appear with age and loss of pigmentation.
‘Marlet’ is the Shetland world for mottled, which perfectly describes the markings here translated into knitwear.
I don’t mind what you see in this pattern—in fact, isn’t that an interesting thing in its own right?
The Marlet pattern does some interesting things with different colour combinations and varying contrast (subtle or eye-popping!), and the double-faced jacquard knit drapes beautifully.
Christmas 2022
Last order dates
For Christmas delivery, please make your orders by/on the dates below:
- Australia & New Zealand: Monday 28th November
- USA & Canada: Monday 5th December
- UK: Monday 19th December
Please get in touch if you need any further information.
We'd encourage you to order as early as possible. Alongside the variable Shetland weather, this year there is Royal Mail strike action during December.
We do also have gift vouchers, which are redeemable in store or online.
Shipping costs
- UK P&P: £8 per order.
- International (EU deliveries currently suspended) P&P: £20 per order.
- Please note: customers outside the UK are responsible for any customs or tax charges applicable within their own country.
- Collection from Nielanell, Hoswick: free of charge (choose this option at checkout).
Suspension of deliveries to the EU and EEA
From January 2021
Due to the uncertainty regarding the end of Britain's transition period with the EU, we are now suspending deliveries to countries in the EU and the EEA. We are so sorry for this inconvenience and will update the information when we have it.
Delivery
- Most items should be available. 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 (at the moment we are shipping once a week). If you need an item sent immediately, just let us know and we will be delighted to try to help you.
- We send out UK items using Royal Mail, items over a value of £100 will be sent by way of special delivery. This is a signed for, insured service.
- 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.
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 local manufacturers here in Shetland, 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.