Friday Tee
An elevated tee
The Basics
Completed: May 2023
Time period worked on: February 18 to May 23, 2023
Cost to make: $55.00 CAD
Pattern: Friday Tee
Designer: PetiteKnit
Size: XS
Yarn: Cascade 220 Fingering, 50 g/250 m. Colours: 9591 Buff (main) and 8012 Doeskin Heather (stripe)
Amount used: 3 skeins of Buff and 1 skein of Doeskin Heather
Needle size: 3.0 mm
Measurements
I washed and blocked my garment and laid it flat to dry. I used blocking pins to slightly stretch the yoke to increase the depth.
I knit this to pattern for size XS ie) same number of stitches/rows; no modifications.
Any measurements that have a difference greater than 1" / 2.5 cm from the pattern will be noted below; otherwise, assume my garment measurements are within +/- 1" / 2.5 cm of the pattern measurements.
My finished garment measurements: (This pattern only provides measurements for bust circumference and total length)
Chest Circumference: 33" / 84 cm
Total Length: 17.7" / 45 cm (*pattern is 19" / 48 cm)
Sleeve length from underarm: 6" / 15 cm
Upper arm circumference: 11" / 28 cm
This garment has a fold-over collar which utilizes a purl round for the fold. I decided to experiment and held a strand of knitting elastic thread with my yarn at the fold of the collar. I was careful to maintain a neutral tension while I knit the elastic in. I am not sure if this had any effect as I don't have other garments to compare this to. I do think it offers stability, but that is also achieved adding in elastic after a garment has been completed. I guess my take away is that it didn't do any harm in trying haha.
Body and sleeves were all finished with Italian bind off.
My body measurements are accessed via link below labelled “Mel’s body measurements”. I understand this information can cause harm to some, but are helpful to others. By having this information on a private page, the choice is yours whether you want to view this information or not.
The Pattern
Friday Tee by PetiteKnit
Designer's website
9 sizes offered: XS to 5XL
Finished Bust Circumference:
XS - 35.5" / 90 cm
S - 37.75" / 96 cm
M - 39.25" / 100 cm
L - 41.75" / 106 cm
XL - 45.75" / 116 cm
2XL - 49.5" / 126 cm
3XL - 53.5" / 136 cm
4XL - 57.75" / 147 cm
5XL - 61.5" / 156 cm
The Friday Tee is designed to have approx. 2.25 to 3.5" / 6-9 cm of positive ease. Taking into account the recommend positive ease built into the pattern, the sizes correspond to an actual bust circumference range of 31.5" to 59" / 80 cm to 150 cm.
Suggested yarn weight: Fingering
Pattern gauge: 28 sts and 44rows = 4 x 4" / 10 x 10 cm in stockinette st on larger needles, blocked
Suggested needles sizes: 3.0 mm and 2.5 mm
About the pattern
Skills/techniques/attributes:
Working in-the-round
German short-rows
Raglan
Worked top-down
Crew-neck with fold-over collar
Stripes
Broken rib stitch
The good:
Good size range for a close-fitting top
Instructions for special techniques provided in pattern
Short rows are used to shape the neckline. This part of the pattern is clear and also includes which colour to be used in order to maintan the stripe pattern.
The not-so-good:
There are no detailed measurements provided. The only finished garment measurements provided are chest circumference and total length. You will need to read through the pattern to determine any other measurements.
Within the pattern it will say, "work until ____ measures X"
Should you wish to know other measurements, you will need to read through the pattern and calculate measurements based on gauge and stitch counts, ie. armhole circumference, yoke depth, etc.
My thoughts:
Although the jogless stripe method was recommended, I did not like how this turned out on the yoke when doing increases. Since the colour change coincided with an increase, the result was sloppy. I stopped using the jogless stripe method on the yoke, but did use it on the body since there were no increases or decreases.
I wanted a close-fitting top; however, if there had been information regarding yoke depth I would have been able to make an informed decision on which size to knit. Yes, I could have tried on the garment as I went, but it was hard to tell on an unblocked garment.
The Yarn
I used Cascade 220 fingering as it's easily accessible for me and offered at a great price point. There is also a greater colour range to choose from compared to Sandnes Garn Sunday. Colour selection is usually what drives me to make a yarn substitution.
This yarn is 100% Peruvian Highland wool and is a 2-ply. I had initial concerns that this loose-looking 2-ply would make my broken rib stitch look messy; even after blocking I still wasn't quite convinced. However, I wore this top to Knit City City Vancouver 2023 and someone asked me if it was machine knit! That quickly erased all doubt whether my knitting looked neat or not.
I do not wear a camisole underneath and find this yarn soft enough on my skin. I can feel it, but it's not enough to prevent me from wearing, or trying to wear a slip underneath.
