Back to Basics - Knit Tee in Lion Brand - L90153B - Downloadable PDF

Back to Basics Knit Tee – Free Downloadable Knitting Pattern by Lion Brand (L90153B)

The Back to Basics Knit Tee is a free, beginner-friendly knitting pattern (Pattern Number L90153B) designed by Lion Brand Yarn Company. It produces a relaxed, everyday knit T-shirt worked in worsted-weight cotton yarn, making it an ideal warm-weather wardrobe staple. The pattern is rated Easy skill level, so it is perfectly suited to newer knitters who are comfortable with basic shaping and straightforward construction techniques.

What Is Being Made

This pattern creates a classic, pull-on knit tee with a clean silhouette. The finished garment is available in a generous size range — S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X, 4X, and 5X — with finished bust measurements spanning from 38½ inches (98 cm) up to 59 inches (150 cm). Finished lengths range from approximately 23 inches to 24¾ inches depending on size, giving the tee a comfortable, slightly relaxed body length suitable for wearing untucked or lightly tucked.

Materials and Yarn

The recommended yarn is Lion Brand® 24/7 Cotton® (Art. #761), a worsted-weight, 100% cotton yarn celebrated for its smooth, mercerized finish, stitch definition, and machine-washability. The colorway specified in the pattern is #116 Succulent, a soft, muted green tone. Depending on size, the pattern calls for 5 to 7 balls of this yarn:

• S, M, L: 5 balls
• 1X, 2X, 3X: 6 balls
• 4X, 5X: 7 balls

Because Lion Brand® 24/7 Cotton® contains no synthetic fibers, the finished tee is breathable and comfortable against the skin — an excellent choice for spring and summer knitting projects.

Needles and Tools

The pattern calls for Lion Brand® knitting needles in size US 6 (4 mm). Circular needles are also referenced as an additional material, which is common for working seamlessly in the round or for managing larger stitch counts across the body of a garment. Additional tools include:

• Lion Brand® stitch markers — used to mark key points such as side seams, shaping sections, or round beginnings
• Lion Brand® large-eyed blunt needle — used for seaming pieces together and weaving in yarn ends neatly

Construction and Techniques

The Back to Basics Knit Tee is worked using fundamental knitting construction methods appropriate for an Easy-rated pattern. Typical techniques involved in a garment of this type include:

• Flat or in-the-round knitting — the use of both straight and circular needles suggests the body or yoke sections may be worked in the round, minimizing seaming
• Basic increases and decreases — used to shape the armhole, neckline, and sleeve openings
• Seaming — joining front and back panels or setting in sleeves using the large-eyed blunt needle
• Stitch marker placement — keeping track of pattern repeats, shaping points, and round markers throughout construction

Stitches Used

As a beginner-level knit tee worked in a smooth worsted-weight cotton, this pattern primarily relies on foundational knitting stitches that showcase the yarn's clean stitch definition. These typically include:

• Knit stitch — the primary stitch forming the body fabric, creating a smooth, classic stockinette surface
• Purl stitch — used in combination with the knit stitch to create ribbing at hems, cuffs, or necklines, adding elasticity and a polished finish
• Ribbing (knit/purl combinations) — a common finishing technique for the neckband and