Valley Yarns Easy Day Tee Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Easy Day Tee

What Is Being Made

The Valley Yarns Easy Day Tee is a hip-length, fitted knit sweater designed by Nadya Stallings. This intermediate-level project features elbow-length set-in sleeves and is constructed by knitting individual pieces flat before seaming them together. The garment is designed to be worn with 1" to 1.25" of positive ease and is available in six sizes ranging from 33.25" to 53.25" in finished bust circumference.

Techniques Used

This tee employs several key knitting techniques to achieve its finished structure and aesthetic:

• Seamed construction: The sweater is worked in separate flat pieces (front, back, and sleeves) and then seamed together, allowing for precise shaping and a professional finish
• Short row shaping: Both the front and back panels use short rows at the hem to create fitted shaping, with wrapped stitches worked together to eliminate holes
• Striped colorwork: The design incorporates horizontal stripes using three colors—a main color (MC) plus two contrast colors (CC1 and CC2)—creating visual interest while maintaining the simplicity of stockinette stitch
• Worked flat: All pieces are knit flat on circular needles rather than in the round, giving the maker full control over shaping and pattern placement
• Hip-to-waist shaping: Decreases are strategically placed to create a fitted silhouette through the torso

Stitches Used

The Valley Yarns Easy Day Tee relies on fundamental knit stitches executed with precision:

• Stockinette stitch: The primary stitch throughout the garment, creating a smooth, classic fabric surface
• Garter stitch: Used for the initial hem edge (3 rows) to create a finished, non-rolling border
• Knit and purl stitches: Combined in stockinette stitch pattern and for shaping decreases (slip 1, ssk, k2tog)
• Wrapped stitches: Created during short row shaping and worked together with their wraps on subsequent rows to maintain fabric integrity

Materials and Specifications

The Easy Day Tee is designed to be knit with Valley Yarns Longmeadow, a practical cotton-blend yarn that offers breathability and structure ideal for a fitted tee. The fiber content is 60% cotton and 40% microfiber, with each 50-gram skein providing 117 yards of yardage. Yarn quantities vary by size, requiring between 5 and 9 skeins of the main color (02 Natural), 1 to 2 skeins of the first contrast color (08 Coral), and 2 to 3 skeins of the second contrast color (07 Melon).

The pattern calls for US size 3 (3.25 mm) circular needles, though makers should select the needle size that achieves the specified gauge of 5 stitches and 7 rows per 1 inch in stockinette stitch. Circular needles are used for their flexibility when working flat pieces and shifting stitches, rather than for working in the round.

Design Details

The striped pattern is strategically placed to enhance the garment's visual interest. The top portion of both the front and back panels, as well as the top of the sleeves, are worked in the main color, while the lower sections feature horizontal stripes created by alternating between the main color and the two contrast colors in a repeating six-row pattern. This placement draws attention to the upper body and shoulders while the stripes add movement to the lower torso and sleeves.

The hem shaping created through short rows gives the tee a contemporary, fitted silhouette that skims the body without clinging. Combined with the hip-to-waist shaping achieved through strategic decreases, this design creates a flattering garment suitable for intermediate knitters who are comfortable with shaping techniques and color changes.