The Minimal Tee

The Minimal Tee by Sarah & Oliver

What is Being Made

The Minimal Tee is a classic, everyday knitted T-shirt designed as a wardrobe staple. This simple and minimal top reproduces a basic T-shirt silhouette that pairs well with any style, making it perfect for daily wear. The garment is available in six sizes ranging from XS to XXL, with finished chest circumferences from 111cm to 142cm and total lengths from 60cm to 72cm.

Construction Method and Techniques

This intermediate-level knitting project employs a top-down construction method with a set-in sleeve design. The knitter begins working flat from the top, starting at the neckline and working downward. Once the shoulder shaping and neckline are complete, the pattern transitions to working in the round for the body. The sleeves are then separated from the main body piece and knitted individually. Finally, stitches are picked up from the neckline to create a finished neckband, completing the garment with a professional appearance.

Stitches and Stitch Techniques

While specific stitch abbreviations are not detailed in the pattern overview, the construction relies on fundamental knitting techniques including:

• Flat knitting for the initial top-down shaping
• Circular knitting for seamless body construction
• Set-in sleeve shaping for a tailored fit
• Picked-up stitches for the neckband finishing

Materials: Yarn and Needles

This pattern uses DMC Natura Just Cotton, a 100% cotton yarn in 4-ply weight. Cotton yarn is chosen specifically for its lightweight properties and easy-care characteristics, making the finished garment comfortable for daily wear and simple to wash. The yardage per ball is 155 meters with a ball weight of 50 grams.

Yarn quantities vary by size: XS requires 6 balls, S requires 7 balls, M requires 8 balls, L requires 9 balls, XL requires 10 balls, and XXL requires 11 balls.

The pattern calls for two circular needles in different sizes: 4mm and 5mm circular needles. The gauge is established at 23 stitches and 32 rows over a 10cm by 10cm swatch using 5mm needles with DMC Natura Just Cotton yarn. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for obtaining the finished measurements specified in the pattern.

Difficulty Level

This project is rated as intermediate difficulty, making it suitable for knitters with some experience who are comfortable with techniques such as top-down construction, working in the round, set-in sleeves, and picking up stitches.