It's a Wrap

Shawls, stoles, shrugs, and capes are very handy items to wear on any of those summer evenings that are too warm for a jacket and too chilly for no wrap at all.  Since they do not have proper sleeves, they can be worn over heavy sweaters and multiple layers.  In addition, these types of garments can be made of knit, fabric, or crochet, and they can employ most any type of stitch—fancy or plain, dense or lacy.  In this way, the sleeveless wonders are the perfect accessories.

But the best thing about all of these warps (especially from the craftsperson’s point of view) is that they are really simple to construct.  What we are talking about here are garments without all of the complicated machinations that inset sleeves entail.  Not many projects are easier than this.  In fact, they are so simple to make that you can have several for any number of occasions.

Perhaps the stole is the very simplest of this general type of clothing.  It is merely a long, flat length of fur, fabric, knitting, or crochet that is worn wrapped around the shoulders.  The stole can be long and dramatic or fairly short and practical depending on your whim.  Some have fringes and some do not.  Many people think of stoles as being made of fur, but that isn’t necessarily the case.  Of course, a stole is generally formal in style, and it is usually worn with fancy clothing.  If you want to feel like Scarlet O’hara on her way to the cotillion, a stole is the garment for you.

A shawl is worn in the same fashion as a stole except that many of them are triangular (or folded squares) in shape instead of a long and thin strip.  Of course, a triangle is a little trickier to knit, and many are knitted from the neck down.  In crochet, the shape it is quite easy to manage.  Shawls are nice by themselves or thrown over a jacket in a matching or contrasting color.  They may also be pulled up over the head in inclement weather.

The shawl might be in a heavy weight yarn and a denser stitch for warmth, or it may be a mere wisp of lace to compliment a party dress.  Shawls are not necessarily used with formal attire.  The large fringed ones have a distinctive Spanish flare, and they are a traditional part of the Romani garb in Andalusia.  In any case, a shawl will add a lot of style to your wardrobe.  And if you need an outfit for flamenco, it’s time for a shawl. 

A shrug is merely an oblong piece of knitting or crochet that has been sewn a short length on either end to provide a simple sleeve.  It is not really constructed with proper arms, you understand, it is just sewn is such a way that you can put your arms through it.  This style is especially nice when you don’t want to keep adjusting your wrap.  You don’t really have to hold on to it as much as the other options, as it is semi-fitted already.  A shrug can be just the thing for a cool evening, and it is not necessarily formal wear.  Are you off to the grocery or sitting around the camp fire of an evening?  A shrug is very handy for practical purposes.

A cape or cloak is another sleeveless wonder, but this type of garment seems to have gone out of fashion for some reason.  Many cloaks are full and round, and they were once very popular.  Perhaps they went out of style when it wasn’t so necessary to get to your sword quickly.  They come with or without hoods.  If you are looking for drama, a cloak is just the thing.  Many of us have no place to wear such a garment, but if you are on your way to grandma’s house with a basket of goodies, you will probably need a cloak.

In any event, don’t forget any of these sleeveless garments.  Not only are they easy to make, they can also be very useful.