Drop Vee Tee

Drop Vee Tee by Claire Jackson

What is Being Made

The Drop Vee Tee is an original knitted top design by Claire Jackson of Perfectly Knotted. This versatile tee features a classic V-neckline with distinctive drop stitch detailing along the sleeves and bottom hem. The garment is designed as a short cap sleeve style, though knitters have the flexibility to customize sleeve length to their preference. The tee is intended to fall at hip level with a relaxed, boxy fit, though the pattern provides options for waist shaping if a more fitted silhouette is desired. This size-inclusive pattern accommodates finished bust measurements from 30 inches through 70 inches, offering options for 1 to 6 inches of positive ease.

Construction and Techniques

The Drop Vee Tee is worked using a top-down raglan construction method, a popular technique that allows for easy customization and fitting adjustments. The garment begins by working back and forth in rows (alternating right side and wrong side) during the initial V-neck increases. Once the V-neck shaping is complete, the work is joined and transitioned to working in the round, which streamlines the construction process for the body of the tee. This hybrid approach combines the benefits of flat knitting for precise neckline shaping with the efficiency of circular knitting for the main body.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch pattern is stockinette stitch, which creates a smooth, classic fabric with a flat knit side and a bumpy purl side. The defining design feature is the drop stitch detailing strategically placed along the sleeves and bottom hem. Drop stitches are created by intentionally dropping stitches from the needle to unravel vertically, creating an open, ladder-like effect that adds visual interest and texture to the finished garment.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Drop Vee Tee is designed for sport weight yarn, a lightweight yarn category that produces a delicate, breathable fabric ideal for a summer tee. The pattern is classified as intermediate difficulty, making it suitable for knitters with some experience who are comfortable with techniques such as raglan increases, V-neck shaping, and transitioning between flat and circular knitting. Knitters will need appropriate needles for sport weight yarn and the ability to work both flat and in the round, depending on the needle style they choose.

Pattern Flexibility and Customization

A key strength of the Drop Vee Tee pattern is its adaptability. Knitters can easily modify sleeve length beyond the designed short cap sleeves, adjust the overall body length to create a cropped or extended version, and choose whether to incorporate waist shaping for a more tailored fit. The size range from 30 to 70 inches finished bust measurement ensures accessibility for a wide range of body types, with the note that sizes 30, 54, 58, 62, 66, and 70 remain untested by the designer.