Tahki Yarns Malibu Tee Knitting Pattern

Tahki Yarns Malibu Tee: Pattern Summary

What is Being Made

The Malibu Tee is an intermediate-level knitted short-sleeved sweater designed by Lisa Hoffman. This garment is available in five sizes ranging from Small to 2X, with finished bust measurements from 33½ inches (85 cm) to 49½ inches (125.5 cm) and lengths from 21½ inches (54.5 cm) to 23¾ inches (60.5 cm). The pattern is designed to fit with 0–2 inches of positive ease for a comfortable, contemporary fit.

Techniques Used

The Malibu Tee employs a combination of knitting techniques to create its structure and aesthetic appeal. The garment is worked flat on straight needles for the body and sleeves, then worked in the round using a circular needle for the neckline. Construction follows a bottom-up approach, meaning knitting begins at the hem and progresses upward toward the shoulders. The design incorporates seamed construction, with pieces joined together after completion. A lace pattern is featured prominently, particularly in the front design, adding visual interest and a sophisticated drape to the finished piece.

Stitches and Stitch Details

The primary fabric is worked in Stockinette stitch, which creates a smooth, classic knit texture. The pattern employs several specialty decreases and yarn overs to shape the garment and create lace elements:

• S2KP (Slip 2 Knit Pass) – A centered double decrease created by slipping 2 stitches together knitwise to the right needle, knitting 1 stitch, then passing the 2 slipped stitches over. This decrease is used in both raglan shaping and lace pattern work.
• K2tog (Knit 2 Together) – A right-leaning decrease that knits 2 stitches together through the front loops.
• SSK (Slip, Slip, Knit) – A left-leaning decrease created by slipping 2 stitches one at a time knitwise to the right needle, returning them to the left needle in turned position, then knitting them together through the back loops.
• Yarn Overs (yo) – Used throughout the lace pattern to create decorative holes and increase stitch count, balanced with decreases to maintain stitch counts.
• Lace Pattern – The front features a lace motif created by combining yarn overs with decreases in a coordinated sequence, producing an openwork design.

Raglan Shaping

The garment features a raglan construction, a classic sweater silhouette where the sleeves are shaped by decreases that run diagonally from the underarm to the neckline. The pattern begins by binding off stitches at the beginning of rows, then continues with strategic decreases worked on right-side rows and every fourth row to gradually reduce stitch counts and create the characteristic raglan slope.

Materials and Gauge

The Malibu Tee is designed to be knitted using Tahki Yarns Newport, a lightweight blend composed of 67% cotton, 23% linen, and 10% polyamide. This fiber composition creates a breathable, durable fabric ideal for warm-weather wear. The pattern requires 5 to 8 balls depending on size, with each ball weighing 1.75 ounces (50 grams) and containing 137 yards (125 meters) of yarn. The recommended color is #04 electric blue.

Needles required include US size 7 (4.5 mm) straight needles for the main fabric and a US size 7 (4.5 mm) circular needle measuring 16 inches (40 cm) long for neckline work. A US size 9 (5.5 mm) needle is used specifically for the lace stitch sections, allowing the lace pattern to bloom slightly for enhanced definition.

Achieving proper gauge is essential for fit. The pattern specifies 18 stitches and 27 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in Stockinette stitch worked on US size 7 needles, and approximately 17½ stitches and 28 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in the lace pattern worked on US size 9 needles. Additional supplies include stitch markers, stitch holders, and a yarn needle for seaming and we