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Falling for Merino jersey

Megan Nielsen Rowan turtleneck in Merino jersey from The Fabric Store + Cropped flare Ash jeans in stretch denim from MRecht

You guys I have finally discovered Merino jersey and I am in loooove.

I get so incredibly cold in winter. Even though Perth is technically a moderate Mediterranean climate, we seem to be in constant denial over the fact that it does get somewhat chilly in winter, and as a result we don’t really build our houses for warmth. Maybe it’s all that deceptive sunshine? In recent years I’ve grown frustrated with my inability to stay warm, and that’s how the Rowan bodysuit and tee pattern was born – out of my need to feel warm hehe. The thing that was missing was a super warm jersey fabric!

Megan Nielsen Rowan turtleneck in Merino jersey from The Fabric Store + Cropped flare Ash jeans in stretch denim from MRecht
Megan Nielsen Rowan turtleneck in Merino jersey from The Fabric Store + Cropped flare Ash jeans in stretch denim from MRecht

Last year in November I visited my sister in law Annelise in Melbourne and spent a lovely (very long) afternoon at The Fabric Store just buying my weight in fabric. I bought so much fabric that on the walk back to my hotel the lovely paper bags broke from the strain. I kid you not. Though i do digress. One of the things i was determined to get while i was there was some Merino jersey to make some lovely warm winter tops with. There are a lot of fabrics i’m happy to buy online, but this one i really wanted to feel and carefully choose the colours in person. I’m glad I did because i actually changed my mind about which colours i wanted!

Of course when I got home I did that typical thing where i spent a few months letting my fabric acclimatise to my home before I felt ready to cut into it. I made Version 3 of the Rowan pattern, the turtleneck tee with long sleeves using the Slate Grey colour of the premium merino jersey from The Fabric Store and gosh do i love it!

I have been wearing this turtleneck all winter and it is so unbelievably warm. I would highly recommend it as one of those basic garments that kind of just goes with everything, and layers really really well. This is basically how I wear it most of the time though – with my current favourite pair of cropped flare Ash jeans and my pink Clae sneakers.

Next up I have some lovely green, and also blue Merino jersey that I want to make into Briar tees!

Megan Nielsen Rowan turtleneck in Merino jersey from The Fabric Store + Cropped flare Ash jeans in stretch denim from MRecht
Megan Nielsen Rowan turtleneck in Merino jersey from The Fabric Store + Cropped flare Ash jeans in stretch denim from MRecht
Megan Nielsen Rowan turtleneck in Merino jersey from The Fabric Store + Cropped flare Ash jeans in stretch denim from MRecht

photography by Bronnie Joel

About Author

Meg is the Founder and Creative Director of Megan Nielsen Patterns, and is constantly dreaming up ideas for new sewing patterns and ways to make your sewing journey more enjoyable! She gets really excited about design details and is always trying to add way too many variations to our patterns.

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Christine
Christine
4 years ago

I love this and the colour is great. I’d really like to try merino jersey, especially with this pattern, as it looks so nice, but I’m struggling to find supplies at reasonable prices in the UK. Does the pattern suggest other different fabrics that would be suitable?

Janet
4 years ago
Reply to  Christine

Hi Christine – I’d love to be able to get merino jersey in the UK too – the shipping costs from NZ aren’t too bad, but the customs duty charges make it unaffordable! There are two EU/UK stockists of merino jersey I know of – the Ottobre online shop on Etsy, and Discovery Knitting in the UK. I haven’t tried out either yet, but I expect I’ll be queuing up to make a top like Megan’s as winter sets in… Brrr.

Vera Ussyk
Vera Ussyk
4 years ago

Just tell me where I can buy it!!!

Anne
4 years ago

I love merino yet I have never sewn with it. I must rectify that soon. This is gorgeous.

JulieAnn
JulieAnn
4 years ago

My daughter was gifted handmade, merino tops and onesies for both her children. They are just gorgeous, so fine and soft while incredibly warm. I’d love to make myself some tops and a long cardigan but having never sewn knits I am totally intimidated by this fabulous fabric! It gets super cold here in the winter (Central Otago in New Zealand) and merino is the only sensible thing to wear in multiple layers. Mind you, I was also always cold in Perth winters too ?

Anne Stanton
Anne Stanton
4 years ago
Reply to  JulieAnn

They have “ the fabric shop” in NZ, Auckland and Christchurch I think.

JulieAnn
JulieAnn
4 years ago
Reply to  Anne Stanton

Thank you, will check them out!

JulieAnn
JulieAnn
4 years ago
Reply to  Anne Stanton

I’ve discovered there is one in Dunedin too ????

JulieAnn
JulieAnn
4 years ago
Reply to  Meg

Thanks for the tips, I will try it out. I know what you mean about PErth. We lived in the Pilbara for nine years before returning ho,e three years ago. It’s like Perth doesn’t admit to having a winter so heating and insulation are not done well! I wear my WA winter clothes in the spring and autumn here, no way are they warm enough for our winters!!

Jessica Malcolm
4 years ago

It’s beautiful!! I love the colour you’ve chosen and how you wear it. I love merino as well, but never sew with it (only one garment). There’s so many options of weight and colour, I feel a little overwhelmed with choice ha ha.

Charlotte
Charlotte
4 years ago

I have a stash of snuggly soft Merino jersey from The Fabric Store sitting in my drawer yet to be sewn with. I’m so worried I’m going to mess up and waste my gorgeous fabric. With a trip back home to the UK planned for Christmas I should just bite the bullet and make some cosy Rowans and Kyotos, which is what I have long had planned for these.

Lodi
Lodi
4 years ago

The perfect top for our N hemisphere winter! Love it! What weight (gsm) do you recommend for the Rowan? The same for the Bryer?

Lodi
Lodi
4 years ago
Reply to  Meg

Oops! I misspelled Briar – and spelled my favorite ice cream brand instead. Lol.

Amy
Amy
4 years ago

Our Adelaide winters are similar to those in Perth and I’m always cold too! You have inspired me to give a merino Rowan a try for next winter ?

Anne Stanton
Anne Stanton
4 years ago

Yeah!!!! This is my favourite topic!!!!!!
I brought a large merino stash when I moved to the UK 4 years ago, and I top it up whenever I go to Oz or NZ… I make singlets, knickers, tops and track pants for hubby and I.
Recently visiting Perth I found very good quality merino in Knitwit but it was a little dearer than The Fabric Store.

Teri
4 years ago

I bought my first length of merino over the Summer and it is still getting acclimated to my house ( I love that by the way. I have a lot of fabric doing that! ) Our weather is getting cooler so I need to be brave and make myself a nice warm top from it.

Katharine Langford
Katharine Langford
3 years ago

It looks great! Do you think the bodtsuit version would work in a merino jersey or does it not have enough stretch?