How to Cast on Stitches, Work in the Round with Two Colours and Make Perfectly Jogless Stripes
Welcome to our second community knit-along! This time, we’ll make an Everyday Tee – a versatile almost-seamless summer top that has a comfortable fit. The pattern provides instructions for 18 sizes from a toddles size to fit a two-year-old kid to a curvy women’s size to fit 134 cm / 52.75″ bust.
During this knit-along, I’ll be working on this project in my studio recording every step of the process as well as numerous tips, ideas and suggestions that I will think of while knitting my version of the Everyday Tee. I want to make it feel as if we were knitting together in a small group sharing tips and enjoying the process of knitting.
To make it a two-way conversation, I encourage you to leave your suggestions, questions and tips in the comment section under videos showing every part of the knit-along. I always welcome your comments, but they become especially meaningful in social events like knit-alongs.
I divided the process of making the tee into four parts. Each part will be a bit more challenging than the previous one. The first part will be mostly simple knitting and purling while the fourth part will be mostly technique-based.
This way, we’ll ease into the project slowly, without stress and frustration. Even if Everyday Tee is your first sweater project, you won’t feel overwhelmed.
The knit-along will be recorded and available to everyone at no charge, so if you are busy with other projects right now, you can follow along later whenever you decide to make this tee. Of course, you are very welcome to work on the project as each part of the knit-along gets released.
To make this summer top, you will need any cotton yarn (mercerized or organic cotton will wear better than craft cotton) that has around 125 m / 136 yds in 50 g / 1.7oz.
I used Knitca Cotton to make the top featured in the pattern. But other yarns like Patons Grace, Cascade Ultra Prima Fine, Rowan Summertime DK, Lana Grossa Classico, Tahki Yarns Cotton Classic Lite, Berger de France Coton Satine, KnitPicks CotLin are all good options for this project.
The yardage differs depending on the size you plan to make – from 260 m / 290 yds to 1050 m / 1150 yds. You’ll find detailed information about the yardage on page 2 of the pattern.
You will also need two sets of circular needles in size 5 mm / US size 8, two stitch markers or safety pins, 3 mm (or close to that) crochet hook and a wool needle.
Of course, you will need a pattern to know how many stitches and rounds or rows to work to make this top in any of the 18 available sizes. If you haven’t already, get a copy here, or here if you prefer to keep all patterns in your library on Ravelry.
In the first part of the knit-along, we’ll work on the body of the tee. I’ll explain different types of cast on that are suitable for this project, and different ways to use one or two circular needles depending on the size of the top you choose to make.
Then we’ll have a few rounds of relaxed knitting and purling before we get to the colour stripe pattern – the main pattern used to make the body of this top.
As we make the first narrow stripe, I’ll show you a way to tame the jog that usually happens when we change the colour of the working yarn.
Then I’ll share with you one more tip that will help improve the look of the stripes. This tip is optional and is not mentioned in the pattern. It will be helpful if you want to make your stripes impeccable.
As I worked on the last narrow stripe, I accidentally made a mistake. In a way, I’m glad that it happened because it offered me an opportunity to explain why this mistake happened, what to do about it, and, most importantly, it helped me to show that mistakes are not that scary. We all make them and there is no reason to get upset or doubt your knitting skills.
Once the body of the Everyday Tee is finished, I’ll show you how to measure the work. Then I’ll explain how to make this top longer or shorter. I’ll also share with you ideas about different ways to customize this project and make it truly a one-of-a-kind creation.
Click here to watch this part of the knit-along as a detailed video tutorial.
In the second part, we’ll shape the sleeves and finish the back of the top. I’ll also explain how to make the sleeves a bit longer if you prefer to have your upper arms covered.
If you enjoyed this tutorial,
here’s something else you might find helpful:
“Neat Side Edges” Book
Learn twelve ways to make side edges of a knitted project nice and tidy. Plus, ways to fix side edges, and a way to improve edges of finished projects.
Happy knitting!
