Vara Tee

Vara Tee by TeoMakes: Knitted Raglan Sleeve Tee

What is Being Made

The Vara Tee is a short-sleeved knitted sweater designed by TeoMakes as a beginner-friendly knitting project. This garment features a cropped, relaxed fit that sits somewhere between boxy and fitted silhouettes. The design includes short sleeves and a neckline ribbed finish, making it a versatile layering piece or standalone summer sweater. Available in five sizes ranging from XS (80-82cm bust) to L (100-102cm bust), the Vara Tee accommodates various body measurements with sleeve lengths that scale from 28cm to 37cm.

Knitting Techniques Used

The Vara Tee employs several fundamental knitting techniques suitable for beginner crafters:

• Raglan construction: The sweater is built using raglan increases, a classic shaping method where increases are worked at four strategic points (marked by stitch markers) to create the characteristic diagonal seams from the neckline to the underarm. This technique produces a comfortable, relaxed fit across the shoulders and chest.
• Circular knitting: The garment is worked in the round using circular needles, eliminating the need for seaming and creating a seamless construction from the neckline downward.
• Ribbed edging: A 1x1 rib pattern is worked at the neckline for 2cm, providing elasticity and a finished appearance.
• German short rows (GSR): This advanced shaping technique is referenced in the pattern abbreviations, allowing for targeted shaping in specific areas of the garment.
• Directional increases: The pattern uses both M1L (make 1 stitch left, creating a left-leaning increase) and M1R (make 1 stitch right, creating a right-leaning increase) to maintain consistent aesthetics on either side of the raglan lines.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Vara Tee utilizes basic knitting stitches that make it accessible for beginners:

• Knit stitch (K): The primary stitch used throughout most of the garment, creating the smooth stockinette fabric that forms the main body.
• Purl stitch (P): Used in combination with knit stitches to create the 1x1 ribbed neckline, where knit and purl stitches alternate to produce vertical columns with natural stretch.
• Increases (M1L and M1R): Directional increase stitches worked at the raglan markers to shape the sweater's armholes and sleeve cap.

Materials and Gauge

The Vara Tee is designed to work with 4-ply and light sport weight yarns, offering flexibility in yarn selection. The pattern specifies yardage requirements of 770m to 1500m depending on size, with example yarns including Mondim by Rosa Pomar (used for the red version) and Knitcrate Audine (used for the white version). Knitters will need 3.5mm circular needles, four stitch markers (with one being visually distinct to mark the beginning of round), a tapestry needle for weaving in ends, and scissors for finishing.

The pattern is worked to a gauge of 21 stitches and 32 rows over 10x10cm in stockinette stitch. Achieving this gauge is essential for obtaining the correct finished measurements, as the sweater's fit depends on consistent tension throughout the knitting process.

Pattern Structure

The Vara Tee pattern is organized into clearly marked sections. Part 1 begins with casting on 90-102 stitches (depending on size) and joining in the round, followed by 2cm of 1x1 ribbing at the neckline. Part 2 introduces the raglan shaping markers, positioning them strategically to create the four raglan lines that define the sweater's silhouette. This modular approach makes the pattern easy to follow for knitters building their skills.