The simplest of projects are usually the most difficult ones. When I started working on the FEST tee first prototype, it seemed like an easy-peasy pattern for a classic T-shirt. I thought it would be done in a sec! Well, in the end, it turned out to be one of the most advanced patterns I have designed (so far). Don’t worry. The knitting part is not difficult at all!

The FEST tee is designed in an European shoulder construction with a simultaneously worked sleeves’ caps, knitted seamlessly from the top down - almost entirely in rounds using stockinette stitch. It’s simple, plain, versatile and gives you a lot of space to adapt it to your own liking.

You’ll find quite a few possible modifications in the pattern, i.e. Full Bust Adjustment, which enables you to adjust the circumference of the finished garment at the armpit level to your full bust circumference (to the certain range), as well as instructions for horizontal bust darts or A-line shaping, if you need a bit more fabric at the hip area. You can adjust the sleeve shaping: knit a puff version, straight or even a long-sleeve version. The neckline has two finishings: a folded, but short turtleneck - perfect for autumn and winter - and double-folded sewn in version for more of a spring/summer vibe!

You can download a PDF preview with the most important information such as size guide, detailed measurements, yarn requirement, needles and notions in ENG and PL here.

Sizes:
FEST tee was designed with a 5 cm of positive ease at the full bust for each size - but you can wear it with 0 ease or even a negative ease if you wish. Unlike my previous patterns, choose a size that most closely matches your upper bust circumference (measurement taken around your body just underneath your armpits).

Sizes 1 (2, 3, 4) 5 (6, 7, 8) 9 (10, 11) will fit upper bust circumference of 81,5 (85,75, 89,75, 93,75) 97,75 (102, 106, 110) 114 (118,25, 122,25) cm 32 (33.75, 35.25, 37) 38.5 (40, 41.75, 43.25) 45 (46.5, 48) in.

Before you definitely choose a particular size, check the finished garment’s circumference and a maximum possible Full Bust Adjustment for it.

The finished garment circumference for sizes 1 (2, 3, 4) 5 (6, 7, 8) 9 (10, 11) is respectively 85 (90, 95, 100) 105 (110, 115, 120) 125 (130, 135) cm 33.5 (35.5, 37.5, 39.25) 41.25 (43.25, 45.25, 47.25) 49.25 (51.25, 53) in with a maximum possible modification to the circumference of 92 (97, 103, 106) 109,5 (115,25, 119,5, 123,5) 128,5 (131,75, 136) cm 36.25 (38, 40.5, 41.75) 43 (45.5, 47, 48.75) 50.5 (51.75, 53.5) in.

Please note that sizes (10, 11) weren’t tested due to the lack of test knitters. If you wish to knit one of these, please let me know - I would to love to conduct a little test knit for you!

Suggested yarn:
Depending on your yarn choice, sleeves‘ length or neckline finishing you can knit a spring/summer or autumn/winter version. Or… both! It’s all up to you.

Spring/summer combination:
200 (200-250, 250, 250) 250-300 (300, 300, 300) 350 (350, 400) g - Sandnes Garn - Tynn Line held together with 100 (100-150, 150, 150) 150 (150-200, 150-200, 200) 200 (200, 200-250) g - Sandnes Garn Alpakka Følgetråd

Autumn/winter combination:
200 (200-250 250, 250) 250 (250-300, 250-300, 300) 300 (300-350, 350) g - Sandnes Garn - Sunday held together with 100 (100-125, 100-125, 125) 125-150 (150, 150, 175) 175 (175, 175-200) g - Sandnes Garn - Tynn Silk Mohair

200 (200-250 250, 250) 250 (250-300, 250-300, 300) 300 (300-350, 350) g - GABO wool - My Time Merino held together with 100 (100-125, 100-125, 125) 125-150 (150, 150, 175) 175 (175, 175-200) g - GABO wool - Mohsilko

or any other Fingering + Lace combination to meet the given gauge.

Swatches and gauge:
Gauge, measured from the swatches knitted both flat and in rounds, using the stockinette stitch, on 3,5 mm US 4 needles, after washing and blocking:

10 x 10 cm = 23 sts x 32 rows/rounds

Techniques:

• Long Tail Cast On
• Stockinette Stitch
• 1x1 ribbing
• German Short Rows (for the optional bust darts)
• Italian Bind Off in 1x1 ribbing
• Increasing methods: M1Rk, M1Rp, M1Lk, M1Lp, Backwards Loop Cast On
• Decreasing methods: k2tog, ssk

All techniques used in the pattern are described there in detail.