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

• Reverse jacquard
• 100% extra-fine merino wool
• Made in the Shetland Islands, Scotland

Sizing and fit

One size

• A (neck): 30cm

• B (neck to longest point): 63cm

• 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.