Valley Yarns Siesta Key - KE Gulf Coast Collection Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Siesta Key - Gulf Coast Collection

Garment Overview

The Siesta Key is a luxurious popover A-line tunic designed by Julie Turjoman, crafted from 100% Pima Cotton yarn for warm-weather wear. This intermediate-level knitting project features a V-neck with center front seam and a distinctive high-low back hem that creates graceful drape and emphasizes breathability. The tunic's front hem ends at mid-hip while the back hem reaches tunic length, offering both elegance and practical coverage for layering or standalone wear.

Design Features and Shaping

Silhouette: The A-line body shaping is achieved through strategic decreases on each side, creating a closer fit at the bust that gradually widens toward the hips for a figure-skimming, floaty appearance. This design element showcases the luxurious drape and silky-soft hand of the Westhampton yarn.

Neckline and Front Seam: A V-neck with a visible center front seam serves as both a functional and design detail, accentuating the tunic's breathability and adding visual interest to the garment.

Hem Shaping: The high-low hemline is created using short-row shaping on the back piece, which produces the curved back hem while the front maintains a mid-hip length. This technique adds dimension and graceful movement to the finished tunic.

Sleeves: Elbow-length sleeves complete the design, making this tunic suitable for warm-weather layering or wear on its own.

Construction Techniques

The Siesta Key is worked in pieces and seamed, meaning the front, back, and sleeves are knitted separately in flat rows before being assembled. The front and back are each worked in two pieces, allowing for precise shaping of the V-neckline and the subtle center seam design detail that runs down the front and back of the garment. This modular construction approach makes the project manageable while maintaining clean finishing details.

Short-row shaping is employed on the back piece to create the curved hem without increasing stitch count, a technique that adds sophisticated tailoring to the tunic. The A-line shaping is accomplished through decreases worked on each side of the front and back pieces.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The primary stitch used throughout the Siesta Key is stockinette stitch, which showcases the cotton yarn's luxurious sheen and creates a smooth, refined fabric surface. Ribbing is used at the neckline, cuffs, and hem edges to provide structure and prevent curling, typical of cotton garments.

Yarn and Materials

Yarn: Valley Yarns Westhampton, 100% Pima Cotton, 50g/109 yards per ball. The color shown is Arctic (08). Yarn requirements range from 8 balls for smaller sizes (XS, S, M) to 14 balls for the largest size (4XL), depending on the finished measurements and desired length.

Needles and Tools: The pattern calls for US size 6 (4.00 mm) and US size 5 (3.75 mm) circular needles in both 16" and 24-32" lengths, plus double-pointed needles in the same sizes for working smaller circumferences. A size 5/F crochet hook is also required. Additional materials include stitch markers (including 4 locking stitch markers), stitch holders or waste yarn, and a tapestry needle for seaming and weaving in ends.

Sizing and Finished Measurements

The Siesta Key is available in nine sizes ranging from XS to 4XL. Finished bust measurements span from 32¾" (XS) to 60¾" (4XL), with corresponding hip measurements from 35¼" to 63¼". The pattern is designed to fit with 4" to 6" of positive ease, creating the relaxed, figure-skimming silhouette. Front length from hem to underarm ranges from 16" to 17" depending on size, while back length varies from 16¾" to 18½". The pattern notes that the piece can be made longer if desired, though additional yarn will be required.

Gauge and Skill Level

The recommended gauge is 20 stitches and 28 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch on the larger needles, blocked. This intermediate-level project is suitable for knitters with experience in basic shaping techniques, seaming, and working with circular needles. The combination of worked-flat construction with some in-the-round elements for