Easy Does It
A cool collection of tees to relax with while we all try not to wilt
I hope you’re all managing to take it easy in this heat! If you can bear to think about knitting, I’ve picked out a trio of comfy, casual tee patterns that may take your fancy. Planning a project can be as much of a kick as knitting it, after all, and the only sweating involved is when it’s time to pick out a colour!
If you’re going to brave it and knit on, I’ve found resting bigger projects on one of those lap tables with the folding legs stops them from turning into a giant blanket. Doubly effective if you’re enjoying a bit of al fresco knitting in the shade. It’s either that, or knitting in a wind tunnel. Or maybe inside a very large fridge?
Ease Tee by Anne Ventzel
Very interesting construction on this one! Drop-shoulders very often tend to be knit flat and either seamed or picked up along the shoulder line, but here the shoulders are worked as a singular seamless yoke. The bottom half of the yoke is worked flat, then joined again for the body.
This way, the shoulders lay on the bias towards the seam, which gives more drape. There’s also a slight curve to the back hemline to help things hang in a more relaxed way. Very contemporary!
The pattern comes in 8 sizes, with finished bust circumferences ranging from 43.3”/110cm to 56.2”/143cm. If you’d like to knit it in our Cheviot Marsh DK or Yeavering Bell DK, you’ll need: 5 (5) 5 (5) 5 (6) 6 (6) 100g skeins.
Nebula by Andrea Mowry
Looks like a cloud! The gauge leans more on airy side, so it’ll wear a bit lighter than you might expect for a DK weight garment.
There’s both a tee and long-sleeved version included in the pattern, and one could quite easily be converted into the other at a later date if you fancy. It’s worked from the bottom up, in the round for the body and sleeves and flat for the yoke. The band of rib either side of a 3 needle bind-off across the shoulders is a lovely touch.
I think this one would work especially well with the floaty drape of Yeavering Bell, though Cheviot Marsh would be just as nice for a more of a casual sweatshirt feel.
The pattern comes in 8 sizes, with finished bust circumferences from 40”/101.5cm to 78”/198cm. To knit in Yeavering Bell DK or Cheviot Marsh DK, you’ll need:
Short Sleeves: 3 (3, 4, 4, 5)(5, 5, 5) 100g skeins
Long Sleeves: 4 (5, 5, 6, 6)(6, 7, 7) 100g skeins
Plain Yoke Tee 20 by LE KNIT - Lene Holme Samsøe
Just the thing for those who want a tee but prefer the look and fit of a round yoke. The designer has gone out of her way to make the pattern as straightforward as possible; there are two versions included, one with short rows to raise the back of the neck and one without.
This means you have the option of using solely the knit stitch from start to finish if you’re looking for something particularly untaxing to unwind with. Also a great option for a first garment knit! The rolled edges add a load of casual cool with absolutely zero extra effort on your part, and could potentially be swapped out for a bit of rib if that’s your preferred look.
It comes in 10 sizes, with finished bust circumferences from 34”/87cm to 61”/155cm. It calls for a worsted; if you’d like to knit in Cheviot Marsh, the DK weight is undoubtedly your best bet, but with Yeavering Bell it’s more a matter of preference. When knit to gauge, the DK weight will give you more drape, while the Aran will be a bit denser but will give a more opaque look to the fabric.
To knit in Cheviot Marsh DK or Yeavering Bell DK, you’ll need: (3) 3 (3) 3 (3) 4 (4) 4 (5) 5 100g skeins
If you’d prefer a denser knit and would like to give Yeavering Bell Aran a go, you’ll need: (4) 4 (4) 4 (4) 5 (6) 6 (6) 6 100g skeins
Feeling proud of a project you’ve made with our yarn or fabric? The Creators’ Gallery on the wall of our shop is crying out for your lovely photos! If you’d like to be a part of things, please drop us an email at studio@whistlebare.com with your project photo and accompanying info (your first name, details of yarn/fabric and pattern).
As a little thank you, once a month, we will be choosing one of the pictures at random and sending the lucky creator a 10% discount off anything bought from our website or from Whistlebare Fold!
We’d love to see you at our Wednesday Open Stitch Book Club and Knit and Natter Nights, 7pm-9pm, £7.50 including hot drink and cake!
We’ve also got some fantastic Sewing Workshops coming up, as well as two utterly heavenly Yoga & Knitting Day Retreats in July and September.
A warm welcome awaits at Whistlebare Fold from 8.45am - 5pm Monday to Saturday, and 10am - 5pm on Sundays. Online orders remain open as ever.
If you’d like to visit, you can find us at: 17A Bridge St, Berwick-upon-Tweed, TD15 1ES
As always, thank you for your company this week. And, of course - if you’ve been inspired, we’d love to see your wonderful creations!
Wishing you all the happiest of knitting,
Claire
