Tahki Yarns Belmar Tee Knitting Pattern

Tahki Yarns Belmar Tee Pattern Summary

What Is Being Made

The Belmar Tee is a knitted short-sleeved pullover sweater designed by Irina Poludnenko. This garment is constructed as a lightweight, striped cotton tee suitable for warm weather wear. The pattern is available in six sizes ranging from Small to 3X, with finished bust measurements from 36½ inches (92.5 cm) to 56½ inches (143.5 cm) and lengths from 21¾ inches (55 cm) to 28½ inches (72.5 cm).

Construction Techniques

The Belmar Tee employs a bottom-up construction method with seamed pieces, a traditional approach to garment assembly. The sweater is built in distinct sections that are later joined together. The body and sleeves are worked separately from the bottom upward, then seamed to create the finished garment. The yoke is worked in the round using a longer circular needle, allowing for efficient construction of the upper body and neckline area.

The pattern incorporates striped colorwork using four distinct yarn colors, creating visual interest through horizontal bands of contrasting hues. The stripes are achieved by changing yarn colors at designated points throughout the construction, requiring careful attention to color placement and yarn management.

Stitches Used

The Belmar Tee utilizes several fundamental knitting stitches to create its structure and texture:

• Stockinette Stitch – The primary stitch used for the main body fabric, created by knitting on right-side rows and purling on wrong-side rows (or knitting every round when working in the round). This stitch produces a smooth, classic fabric with a V-shaped texture on the right side.
• Seed Stitch – An alternating knit and purl stitch that creates a textured, bumpy fabric surface. This stitch is used in specific sections to add visual and tactile variation.
• Garter Stitch – Created by knitting every row, this stitch produces a ridged, reversible fabric. The pattern specifies different gauges for Garter stitch worked on the wrong side, indicating its use in shaping and structural elements.
• Decreases – The pattern employs K2tog (knit 2 together) and ssk (slip, slip, knit) decreases for shaping the armholes and other fitted areas of the garment.

Materials and Tools

The Belmar Tee is constructed using Tahki Yarns BAJA, a 100% cotton yarn available in multiple colors. The yarn is supplied in balls weighing 1.75 ounces (50 grams) with 147 yards (135 meters) of yardage per ball. Four colors are required: pearl (A), ebony (B), adobe (C), and sand (D), with yardage quantities varying by size.

The pattern requires two size 6 (4mm) circular needles – one measuring 32 inches (80 cm) in length for working the yoke and body in the round, and one measuring 24 inches (60 cm) for smaller circumferences. Additional tools include stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and round beginnings, stitch holders for temporarily securing stitches, and a yarn needle for seaming and weaving in ends.

Gauge Information

Achieving proper gauge is essential for this pattern. The specified gauges are:

• 20 stitches and 28 rounds = 4 inches (10 cm) in Stockinette stitch
• 20 stitches and 34 rounds = 4 inches (10 cm) in Seed stitch
• 20 stitches and 36 rounds = 4 inches (10 cm) in Garter stitch (wrong side)

Knitters are instructed to take time to check gauges before beginning, as gauge accuracy directly impacts the final garment fit and dimensions.