The Perfect Layering Piece
The perfect layering piece. It is the quest we are all on from the time we experience that first chill from overly exuberant air conditioner use or that first wave of unwanted heat that hits us while we are innocently going about our daily lives. Since that day, we have been searching for something that we can put on over a light undergarment like a chemise or a longline bra or even a light tank that will provide just a little protection against the office AC or that can help us cool off when the store is set to THAT temperature to keep us from panting and sweating in a most unglamorous way. Yes, it is this search that drives us to stores, boutiques, and online shops again and again. And, if you are like most of us, we hoard the perfect pieces when we do find them buying multiples of our favorite colors for fear that they will sell out and never come back in stock again thus sending us out on yet another hunt.
It is this constant cycle of searching that lead us to create the Marsala Tunic. More than your usual layering piece, this cute crochet top is made from a gorgeous little lace pattern that you can work on without breaking your brain (really… it looks more complicated than it is) and features an easy to wear open neckline (no being choked out). We also included ribbing at the bottom hem that holds but does not bind to make sure your top stays where it’s put (no flipping up) and ribbing at the armholes to create a cute little capped sleeve effect without having to do any shaping. Speaking of shaping… this is what we call a low concentration level project because there is no shaping in lace pattern stitch to deal with. Just even and fun stitching with a few seams to finish up and you are ready to gird your… ummm… torso against the elements. Add the optional belt for a little gentle shaping through the waist then style your top over your favorite tank or chemise, layer it with a jacket or duster style top, or throw a wrap around your shoulders for a timeless fashionable look that will carry you comfortably through Fall and become a year-round favorite.
Make the Marsala Tunic in your favorite fingering weight yarn. We used Malabrigo Sock Yarn for the sample in the photo, but any fingering weight sock-style yarn will work well. One such yarn we are obsessed with is Soft Rock by Blue Moon Fiber Arts (the dyer who brought us the iconic Socks That Rock). We have used Soft Rock and Socks That Rock for this any many other garments and love the resulting fabric. And the colors! Why sock yarn? Sock yarn is spun with a twist that is designed to hold its shape while being worn on a heavily used part of the body… your feet. That means, depending on the fiber content, it should be more resistant to pilling and the garment will not droop and stretch out of shape with wear no matter how much you move around, and it will resist deforming if you wear it under a jacket. We have used sock yarns in our designs for everything from dresses to tunics and jackets as well as hats, scarves, and wraps. The fabric has memory and holds its shape beautifully even with repeated wear. Oh yeah… and we also use it for socks.
Especially important regarding this garment being a layering piece is the fact that these styles of yarns are breathable. Yes, the lace will help ensure the right balance of warm and cool air circulation, but the yarn content and how the yarn is spun will aid in air circulation by not absorbing and holding on to the moisture that naturally emanated from our bodies as we move about our day. Yes, some of us glow more than others but everyone’s bodies expel moisture regardless of our activity levels. Yarns like cottons or loosely spun wools will work for some on-skin garments, but mostly they will trap more of that moisture in their fibers causing the garment to not only become misshapen but to become increasingly uncomfortable to wear as the day goes on.
Not to be overlooked in our decision to use sock yarns is the fact that sock yarns generally come in the most FAB colors. It takes only the briefest of glimpses at the Blue Moon Fiber Arts website to see that the color possibilities are nearly endless. Pick your mood or your seasonal favorites and you’ll have a new staple for your wardrobe that spans seasons and trends.
Give it a try for yourself! Grab a crochet hook and your favorite color of lightweight sock yarn and stitch up the Marsala Tunic for yourself. This pattern is free exclusively to you, the readers of this Clover blog post. Download the pattern for FREE from our website by following the special link at the end of this post. Be sure to share your creations with us and with the folx at Clover on our social media pages. Just look for @Shibaguyz on Instagram and Facebook. We LOVE seeing what you all make with our designs and love bragging on ya.
STITCH ON!
Shannon & Jason
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