The First Date Tee is a flat knitted raglan top with a lace yoke. The blouse is constructed from the bottom up and includes seams. Each piece is worked individually and then assembled using the mattress stitch. Finally, neck ribbing is added.

The pattern includes three distinct versions and two ribbing styles. The bicolor and beaded versions are variations of the main version. You can find notes and instructions for these extra versions in the corresponding sections of the main version. Ribbing Style 1 is sporty and less voluminous. In this style, the ribbing at the body hem and sleeve hems is shorter and unfolded, and the ribbing for the sleeves is knitted before the sleeves are attached, allowing the sleeves to rise naturally from the ribbing. Ribbing Style 2 is more voluminous and, in my opini- on, has a more luxurious appearance. The ribbing on the body is taller, and the sleeve hems are knitted after the sleeves themselves, similar to the neckband.

The pattern is designed for sport-weight yarn and is knitted loosely, resulting in an oversized, flexible, and slightly transparent look. This loose fit provides the blouse with ease and flexibility. If you knit to the specified gauge using sport or fingering weight yarn, you can achieve a fit with negative ease. For example, in the bicolor model, I am wearing a blouse with 5 cm of negative ease. However, if you use DK or thicker yarn, the result will be less transparent and thicker, requiring you to work with positive ease. Ultimately, the choice between positive and negative ease depends on your personal preferences and creativity.

The oversized nature of this blouse allows for the use of mohair yarn without the need for a different pattern. Keep in mind that garments made from mohair will typically result in a wider and shorter fabric. When taking gauge, be mindful of this, and if you’re unable to achieve the correct gauge, don’t stress—just enjoy the silky touch of the mohair.

The pattern includes written instructions and charts. The chart is organized by size, so you should refer to the chart that corresponds to your size. Each page of the chart indicates which size it belongs to. Before you begin, make sure to find your specific size chart and follow the instructions detailed in it. For the beaded model, a separate beaded chart is provided immediately after the main chart for each size. In addition to the main chart and the beading chart, the pattern includes a third chart: the Short Row Chart. I realize that I used an unconventional construction for this sweater, so I have added a short row chart to assist you with the neck elevation.

VIDEO TUTORIALS

This project includes over 6 hours of step-by-step video tutorials that guide you through every stage, from casting on to binding off. Each technique is demonstrated in real-time, ensuring you can follow along easily, especially for less common techniques like bicolor work and beading. My main goal is to help you manage bicolor work and inspire you to take on this technique. I’ve prepared 11 videos for this tutorial series, each with an accompanying thumbnail to make it easy for you to find the specific video you need.

The First Date Tee Part 1 - Casting On, Body Ribbing and Front Yoke
The First Date Tee Part 2 - Little V Parts of the Front Yoke and the Beginning of the Back Yoke
The First Date Tee Part 3 - Front Neck Short Rows
The First Date Tee Part 4 - Beginning of Sleeves and Left Sleeve’s Short Rows
The First Date Tee Part 5 - Right Sleeve’s Short Rows and the Beginning of the Ribbing Style 2
The First Date Tee Part 6 - Managing Multibobbin Work in the Bicolor Version
The First Date Tee Part 7 - Working the Bicolor Parts in the Bicolor Version
The First Date Tee Part 8 - The Beaded Version
The First Date Tee Part 9 - Blocking
The First Date Tee Part 10 - Assembling the Pieces with the Mattress Stitch
The First Date Tee Part 11 - Neck Ribbings and Binding Offs

Sizes: 1, (2, 3, 4), {5, 6, 7}, 8, 9, 10

Body Circumference: 67, (76, 82, 91), {98, 106, 115}, 123, 131, 140 cm / 26.5 (30, 32.3, 35.8), {38.6, 41.7, 45.3}, 48.4, 51.6, 55.1 in

Underarm to Hem Length(without ribbing): 19, (20, 20, 21), {22, 22, 23}, 24, 24, 25 cm / 7.5, (7.9, 7.9, 8.3), {8.7, 8.7, 9.1}, 9.4, 9.4, 9.8 in

Back Length: 42, (46, 50, 55), {58, 63, 66}, 70, 75, 78 cm / 16.5, (18.1, 19.7, 21.7), {22.8, 24.8, 26.0}, 27.6, 29.5, 30.7 in

Sleeve Circumference(at the widest point): 28, (31, 35, 38), {42, 45, 49}, 52, 56, 59 cm / 11.0 (12.2, 13.8, 15.0) {16.5, 17.7, 19.3} 20.5, 22.0, 23.2 in

Gauge: 23 sts x 31 rows = 10cm(4”) in stockinette stitch

NOTIONS

3,5 mm( US size 4) needle
3 mm (US size 2.5) needle
Tapestry needle
Removable stitch markers
3 mm(US size 2.5)cable needle for neck ribbing
3 mm(US size 2.5)double point needle set or cable needle for sleeve ribbing for Ribbing Style 2
Metal, pearl and crystal beads with 4 mm width (check the table)
0,6 mm crochet needle for the beaded version
11 clothespins or embroidery bobbins for the bicolor version

YARN AND YARN USAGE

For Ribbing Style 1
700, (800, 800, 800), {1000, 1000, 1000}, 1300, 1500, 1800 m
765, (875, 875, 875), {1100, 1100, 1100}, 1450, 1650, 2000 yrd
For Ribbing Style 2
1000, (1200, 1200, 1200), {1500, 1500, 1500}, 2000, 2250, 2700
1100, (1300, 1300, 1300), {1650, 1650, 1650}, 2200, 2500, 3000 yrd

These values are approximate values, and can vary depends on your fiber choices. On this project, the model is 1.7 m (5 ‘ 7 ‘’) tall, and has 107 cm (42’’) bust circumference and wearing The First Date Tees with Size 6.

On the red sample: 300 gr(10 oz) Kartopu Lana Merino yarn (Sport weight) in K1140

On the white sample: 380 gr(13.5 oz) Sensy Premium Amigurumi yarn (Sport Weight) in Ecru

On the bicolor sample: 200 gr(7 oz) Gala Mix Fiber Fingering (Fingering Weight) in Denim, and 100 gr(3.5 oz) Nako Pure Wool 3.5 yarn (Fingering Weight) in 208

On the mohair sample: 300 gr(10 oz) Gazzal Super Kid Mohair yarn (2 Strands Lace = Fingering Weight) in 64411 were used.