The Easy Street Tee is a breathable summer knit perfect for staying cool in warmer weather. Its top-down raglan construction lets you try it on as you go for a custom fit, and the twisted rib edging adds a crisp, polished finish. With a just-right neckline—not too wide, low, or tight—this tee is easy to dress up or down and wear through multiple seasons.
Looking for an easy knit pattern?
The Easy Street Tee is a beginner pattern that is lightweight and perfect for summer. The t-shirt is a raglan style tee, so it is made from the top down and makes it perfect to try on as your making it.
Easy to transition from summer into fall, this tee is easily layered to become a wardrobe staple that you’ll want to wear over and over.
DESCRIPTION
The Easy Street Tee is made from the top down in a raglan-style tee. It begins by working back and forth in rows for the back and to shape the neckline, and then it is joined in the round to work the yoke of the tee.
The raglan increases are worked evenly spaced around the tee, and then the piece is divided at the underarms for the body and sleeves.
The sleeves are put on hold and the main body is worked first. The finishing ribbing is all worked in a twisted rib, so it is worked through the back loop (tbl), which gives is a tidier look.
Sleeves can be worked in magic loop (what I used!) or with double pointed needles. Whichever you prefer.
The neckline is picked up and worked in a twisted rib. The neckline has the perfect not-too-big, but not-too-tight collar for a summer tee.
No seams are needed for this tee because stitches are put on hold and then picked up later.
Enjoy making this fun, beginner-friendly summer tee!
And if you want to see other designs in the Easy Street line, check them out HERE.
YARN
This is my first time using Lion Brand Yarn Cotton Hemp, and I like it. I was worried that the hemp would make the yarn scratchy, but it surprisingly is not scratchy! And with hemp yarn, it will soften and relax with each additional wash. I’ll update y’all how it feels after I wash it a few times.
Lion Brand Cotton Hemp is 70% cotton and 30% hemp, so it is a plant-based yarn. Both the cotton and hemp allow for a very breathable, lightweight yarn that has great stitch definition. I also really appreciate how the hemp makes this yarn so durable.
The yarn is machine washable and dryable. I have yet to put it in my machines yet, but I do trust that it would hold up well in them based off of the hemp durability.
There’s 164 yards (150 meter) per 100 gram skein for this weight 4 yarn. This is a great sustainable yarn that plays perfectly for those warmer months.
There are 18 colors in the Cotton Hemp yarn line. I chose the color Cherry for the Easy Street Tee, but I had trouble choosing. The color selection in Cotton Hemp is so fun – pastels, bold brights, with a splash of neutrals available.
If I made another Easy Street Tee want to know what colors I would choose? I think you’ll be surprised.
I am just crushing hard on the color Citron right now. I like how bold and in your face it is. It isn’t neon, but it isn’t a cliche sunshine yellow.
It’s yellow with a green undertone, which is really unexpected and fun.
It reminds me a bit of the color Dirty Chartreuse in Hue and Me.
I have never made anything in a color like this, and I think that’s why I am really drawn to it. I like the unexpected punch, and I love wearing bright colors in the summer!
I also really like the color “Peony”. I am pretty picky with my pinks that I like, but this plays well to the pretty aspects of pink. It isn’t overly bright or bubblegum-y. It is more of a light, vintage, romantic shade. Pale pink that is super feminine and pretty.
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DIFFICULTY
The Easy Street Tee is considered a Beginner Level knit pattern, but it is good for all skill levels.
There is no seaming for this tee, which is really nice.
It is made top-down, so you can try the tee on as you go, which is always a bonus to get the right fit.
There’s a full video tutorial to help you confidently make this tee, and you can find that right HERE.
So let’s begin!
MATERIALS
- Lion Brand Yarn Cotton Hemp, weight 4 (70% cotton, 30% hemp, 164 yds/100 g)
- 540 (620, 710, 790, 870, 970, 1060, 1160, 1190) yds/ 4 (4, 5, 5, 6, 6, 7, 7, 8) balls) – “Cherry” (774-113K)
- US 7/4.5 mm circular knitting needles, 24” circular/60 cm long
- US 7/4.5 mm circular knitting needles, 36”/90 cm long
- US 6/4.0 mm circular knitting needles, 24″/60 cm long
- US 6/4.0 mm circular knitting needles, 36″/90 cm long
- Stitch Holders or Waste Yarn
- Stitch Markers
- Scissors
- Tapestry Needle
GAUGE
Using US 7/4.5 mm knitting needles:
17 sts in stockinette stitch = 4″
23 row in in stockinette stitch = 4″
SIZE
There are 9 sizes included in the Easy Street Tee: xs, s, m, l, xl, 2x, 3x, 4x, and 5x. The model is wearing a size medium and she is 5’7″/167.5 cm with a 38″/95 cm bust.
In the size medium there is 1.5″/3.75 cm positive ease, but the ease range is .5-2.5″/1.25-6.25 cm positive ease for the 9 sizes.
TERMINOLOGY
- BO – bind off
- CO – cast on
- k – knit
- kfb – knit front and back
- p – purl
- pm – place marker
- pu – pick up
- rep – repeat
- rnd(s) – round(s)
- RS – right side
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- tbl – through back loop
- WS – wrong side
NOTES
- Pattern is written for 9 sizes: XS (S, M, L, XL, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X). Highlight your size throughout the pattern to avoid confusion.
- Model is 5’7”/167.5 cm and is wearing size Medium with a 38”/95 cm bust and 1.5”/3.75 cm positive ease.
- Tee is worked top down. It begins by working back and forth in rows for the back and to shape the neckline, and then it is joined in the round.
- Raglan increases are worked evenly spaced.
- Piece is divided at underarms for body and sleeves. Sleeves are put on hold and main body is worked first.
- Sleeves can be worked in your preferred small circumference method. This pattern calls for magic loop, but double pointed needles work as well.
- The neckline is picked up and worked in a twisted rib. The hem of the sleeves and bottom of the tee are also worked in twisted rib.
SPECIAL STITCHES
Knit Front and Back (kfb) –
Knit into the front of stitch like normal, but do not slide stitch off needle. Knit the same stitch through the back loop (tbl). Stitch created.
Backwards Loop Method CO –
Holding yarn in left hand, pass the working yarn around your thumb from back to front, slip the needle under the loop around your thumb, and pull thumb out. Stitch created.
Twisted Rib Stitch –
*Insert needle through the back loop (tbl) of next stitch and knit it. Purl the next stitch normal. Repeat from *.
And check out my shops if you want to get the concise, ad-free, printable pattern. I have three different shops you can purchase it from:
you can get the Lion Brand Yarn kit HERE which includes all of the yarn to make the tee as well as the digital download of the pattern.
PATTERN
Using US 7/4.5 mm needles and the Long Tail Cast On, CO 52 (56, 58, 66, 68, 72, 78, 84, 90), do not join.
Row 1 (RS): kfb, pm, kfb, k 8 (9, 9, 11, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15), kfb, pm, kfb, k 28 (30, 32, 36, 38, 40, 44, 48, 52), kfb, pm, kfb, k 8 (9, 9, 11, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15), kfb, pm, kfb [8 increases; 60 (64, 66, 74, 76, 80, 86, 92, 98) sts]
Row 2 (WS): p
Row 3: kfb, *k to 1 st before next marker, kfb, sm, kfb, rep from * 3 more times, k to last st, kfb [10 increases; 70 (74, 76, 84, 86, 90, 96, 102, 108) sts]
Row 4: p
Rep Rows 3 & 4 for 14 (16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30) more rows [140 (154, 166, 184, 196, 210, 226, 242, 258) sts]
Row 19 (21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35): rep Row 3 [150 (164, 176, 194, 206, 220, 236, 252, 268) sts]
YOKE
Using the Backwards Loop Method, CO 10 (10, 10, 12, 12, 12, 14, 16, 16) sts, and pm indicating beginning of rnd, join for knitting in the round.
Rnd 1 (RS): *k to 1 st before the next marker, kfb, sm, kfb, rep from * 3 more times, k to end [8 increases; 168 (182, 194, 214, 226, 240, 258, 276, 292) sts]
Rnd 2: k
Rep Rnds 1 & 2 until you have 34 (38, 44, 46, 54, 56, 62, 64, 66) rows from beginning CO [216 (238, 266, 286, 322, 336, 370, 388, 404) sts]
MAIN BODY
Rnd 1 (RS): *k to next marker, remove marker, put sleeve sts on hold, remove marker, CO 2 (4, 6, 8, 8, 12, 12, 14, 15) sts using the Backward Loop Method, rep from * once more. K to end, slip the last marker which indicates beginning of rnd [132 (148, 168, 184, 204, 220, 240, 256, 268) sts]
Rnd 2: k
Rep Rnd 2 until your work measures 20.5 (21, 21.5, 21.75, 22, 22.25, 22.5, 22.75, 23) inches from back neck CO.
HEM
Using US 6/4.0 mm needles,
Rnd 1 (RS): *k1tbl, p, rep from *
Rnds 2-5: rep Rnd 1
BO.
SLEEVES
Using longer US 7/4.5 mm needles, slip 1 set of sleeve sts onto needles.
Using the magic loop method and starting at underarm, pu 1 (2, 3, 4, 4, 6, 6, 7, 8) st(s), pm, pu 1 (1, 2, 3, 3, 6, 5, 7, 7) st(s).
Rnds 1-8: k to end [46 (52, 60, 66, 74, 82, 88, 94, 98) sts]
CUFF
Using longer US 6/4.0 mm needles,
Rnd 1 (RS): *k1tbl, p, rep from *
Rnds 2-5: rep Rnd 1
BO.
COLLAR
Using US 6/4.0 mm needles, starting at back of neck, pu 72 (76, 84, 88, 92, 96, 104, 112, 118) sts or 1 st in every st along the back of neck and front of neck, 2 sts for every 3 sts along straight side edges, and 10 (10, 12, 14, 14, 16, 18, 18, 20) sts along slanting front sts. Join in the rnd.
Rnd 1 (RS): *k1tbl, p, rep from * [72 (76, 84, 88, 92, 96, 104, 112, 118) sts]
Rnds 2-5: rep Rnd 1
BO.
And that’s how you make the Easy Street Tee!
Make sure that when you post to social media or another platform, please refer back to me as the designer. If you are on Instagram, tag @CozyNooksDesigns for a change to be featured!
ABOUT THE DESIGNER
Cozy Nooks Designs
Rachel Alford from Cozy Nooks Designs was on the PBS TV show Knit and Crochet Now! season 13. She also designs for Lion Brand Yarn, has been in several crochet/knit magazines, and freelances by filming videos for Annie’s online episodes. Be sure to check out her YouTube Channel for tips, tricks, & tutorials!
Hi rachel is this knit available in a bottom up knit pattern pls im from capetown south africa
I’m sorry, no it is not. Only top-down for this pattern.
How are you liking the hemp yarn after a few washes.
I like it! It softens it up.
Hi- do we bind off when we are finished the “pattern” piece? I was wondering where that piece ends up in the finished piece?
No you do not BO after the “pattern” section. Continue onto the “Yoke” section where you create the neck and start working in the round. <3
Thank you! I had to have my friend who knits to look at the pattern and we realized yesterday about this.
Hi there! For the yoke section in size Large, is it possible that there’s an error in the stitch count? I’m ending with 294 stitches. Really lovely pattern though! Thanks 🙂
I think you may be doing one extra increase row. 💜