Mayflower Tee Top Knitting Pattern

Mayflower Tee in Rowan Four Seasons

What is Being Made

The Mayflower Tee is a knitted pullover top designed to fit chest measurements ranging from 71–76 cm (28–30 inches) up to 152–157 cm (60–62 inches), with nine size options available. This garment is a classic short-sleeved or sleeveless tee construction, suitable for everyday wear across multiple sizing ranges.

Craft and Techniques

This is a knitting project classified at an advanced beginner skill level, making it appropriate for knitters who have mastered fundamental techniques and are ready to work with more complex stitch patterns and shaping instructions. The pattern employs several intermediate-to-advanced construction methods:

• Textured eyelet pattern work – A decorative stitch pattern that creates small holes or eyelets throughout the fabric, requiring careful attention to pattern repeat and consistency across increases and decreases
• Strategic decreasing – Decreases are worked at both armholes and neckline while maintaining the integrity of the textured eyelet pattern, demonstrating precision in shaping
• Shoulder shaping – The garment uses cast-off decreases to create fitted shoulders, with asymmetrical shaping on each side of the neck
• Neckband and armband finishing – Circular needle techniques are employed to pick up stitches around the neckline and armholes for a professional, finished edge
• Stitch holder management – Multiple sections are held on stitch holders during construction, allowing for separate working of front and back pieces and later joining of neckline stitches

Stitches Used

The pattern centers on a textured eyelet stitch pattern that forms the primary fabric throughout the garment. Construction stitches include:

• Knit and purl stitches as the foundation of the eyelet pattern
• Decreases worked as part of the armhole and neckline shaping while keeping the pattern correct
• Cast-off stitches for shoulder and final edge finishing
• Two-together decreases (patt 2tog) for seamless shaping integration

Materials and Tools

The Mayflower Tee is designed to be worked in Rowan Four Seasons Cotton, a 50-gram ball weight yarn. The pattern is photographed in the colorway Frost 001. Knitting needles required include:

• One pair of 4mm (US 6) needles for ribbing and initial cast-on
• One pair of 4.5mm (US 7) needles for main fabric work
• One 4mm (US 6) circular needle measuring 40 cm for neckband and armband finishing

The recommended tension is 15 stitches and 23 rows to 10 cm measured over the pattern using the 4.5mm needles. Additional notions include stitch holders for managing live stitches during construction and a stitch marker for tracking pattern repeats.