The Backlit Tee pattern is now available as a stand alone pattern for the first time. To celebrate, you can get this pattern for 50% OFF until May 10, 2026. No coupon code needed.

You can also get this pattern as part of my book, Knit Happy with Self-Striping Yarn.

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The Backlit Tee was designed to let your yarn SHINE. I knit my tee using a combination of self-striping yarn and a crisp white solid, creating the effect of a joyful glow—as if the sweater were lit from within by a hidden rainbow.

What makes this design truly special is its versatility. This sweater is knit seamlessly from the top down using stranded colorwork. The dramatic, all-over colorwork is both striking and endlessly fun to knit, no matter which yarns you choose. Whether you’re playing with self-striping yarn, mini skeins, gradients, variegateds, speckles, tonals, or solids, this sweater has the depth and movement to make every color combination sing.

Please note: The stranded colorwork in this pattern is charted, but does not include written instructions.

SIZES
XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL, 6XL)

YARN
Fingering weight yarn, Fab Funky Fibres

Sample shown in “Naked” (MC, white) and “Walking on Rainbows” (CC, self-striping)

Main Color: 575 (625, 670, 710, 760, 860, 900, 940, 990, 1050) yards / 526 (572, 613, 650, 695, 732, 823, 860, 905, 960) m
Contrasting Color: 275 (300, 325, 375, 410, 440, 475, 510, 550, 600) yards / 252 (275, 297, 343, 375, 403, 435, 466, 503, 549) m

FINISHED DIMENSIONS
Chest: 35.25 (39.25, 43.25, 47.25, 51.25, 55.25, 59.25, 63.25, 67.25, 71.25) inches / 88 (98, 108, 118, 128, 138, 148, 158, 168, 178) cm
Sleeve Circumference: 10.75 (11.25, 12.5, 14, 15.25, 16.5, 18, 19.25, 20.5, 22.75) inches / 26.5 (28, 31.5, 35, 38, 41.5, 45, 48, 51.5, 56.5) cm

NEEDLES
US 6 (4 mm) 24- or 32-inch (60- or 80-cm) circular (as appropriate for your size), or as required to meet gauge

US 5 (3.75 mm) 24- or 32-inch (60- or 80-cm) circular (as appropriate for your size)

DPNs or needles for small circumference in the same sizes

GAUGE
24 stitches and 28 rounds = 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch AND in stockinette stitch in colorwork motif on LARGER needles

TOOLS
1 stitch marker, Scissors, Tapestry needle, Scrap yarn, Tape measure