Monarri

Monarri Yoke Tee Shirt by Stephanie Earp

What Is Being Made

The Monarri is a women's knitted tee shirt featuring a yoke construction. This downloadable knitting pattern offers seven women's sizes with finished bust measurements ranging from 33 inches to 58.5 inches, accommodating a wide range of body types. The pattern includes detailed written instructions across five pages, making it accessible for intermediate-level knitters seeking a classic wardrobe staple with modern construction techniques.

Knitting Techniques and Construction

This garment employs a yoke construction method, a popular top-down knitting approach that begins with the neckline and works downward to create the body and sleeves in a seamless design. The yoke technique allows for easy customization of fit and length during the knitting process. The pattern utilizes circular needle knitting for the main fabric, enabling seamless construction and the ability to work in the round, which creates a smooth, professional finish without seams.

The construction involves working the collar and sleeve edgings in a specialized stitch pattern distinct from the main stockinette body fabric, creating visual interest and a refined neckline and cuff detail.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette stitch – the primary stitch for the main body and sleeves, creating a smooth, classic knit fabric
• Collar and sleeve edging pattern – a textured stitch pattern worked at a different gauge (32 stitches over 4 inches) than the main body, providing definition and structure to these finishing areas

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern specifies a gauge of 23 stitches and 24 rows or rounds over a 4-inch square in stockinette stitch on the main needles after blocking. The collar and sleeve edging pattern is worked at a tighter gauge of 32 stitches over 4 inches on the smallest needles, after blocking. Accurate gauge is essential for proper fit, and knitters are encouraged to use needle sizes that achieve the specified gauge rather than relying solely on recommended sizes.

Materials and Yarn Requirements

The Monarri pattern calls for fingering weight yarn (also known as 4-ply), a fine yarn weight that creates a delicate, refined fabric suitable for a fitted tee shirt. The sample garment shown in the pattern was knitted using Sweet Georgia Flaxen Silk Fine, a luxury blend composed of 65% silk and 35% linen, offering excellent drape and breathability. This yarn is available in 480-yard skeins weighing 115 grams.

Yardage requirements vary by size: the main color (MC) requires between 615 yards for the smallest size and 1,070 yards for the largest size. A contrasting color (CC) requires 100 yards across all sizes, allowing for creative colorwork or contrast detailing.

Needles and Notions

• 3.25 mm (US 3) circular needles – available in 24-inch and 32-inch lengths, used for the main body fabric
• 3.75 mm (US 5) circular needle – 32-inch length, used for the bind-off edge of the body
• 2.75 mm (US 2) circular needle – 16-inch length, and double-pointed needles (DPNs), used for working the collar and sleeve edgings
• Stitch markers – at least 2 required, with the option to use additional markers for increased precision
• Darning needle – for weaving in yarn ends and finishing

Pattern Details

This intermediate-level pattern is designed for knitters with experience in circular needle techniques and comfortable working with yoke construction. The downloadable PDF format allows for convenient access and printing. The pattern provides measurements in inches and includes detailed schematic information to ensure proper fit before beginning the project.