Lafayette Tee

Lafayette Tee by Donna Estin Designs

What is Being Made

The Lafayette Tee is a close-fitting women's knit top that falls just to the hip, designed for warm-weather wear. This seamless garment features a playful deep V-neck with slight front overlap and incorporates a flirty lace pattern in the lower portion to provide airflow and cooling comfort. Available in sizes ranging from Women's XS through 5X, the Lafayette Tee is inspired by the French-speaking Cajun regions of the American South, capturing the essence of Lafayette and its cultural heritage.

Knitting Techniques Used

The Lafayette Tee is worked in the round from the bottom up, creating a seamless construction that eliminates side seams. This method provides a smooth, comfortable fit and reduces finishing work. The garment combines two distinct stitch patterns: stockinette stitch for the fitted upper body and an Hourglass Lace pattern for the lower section. The lace work is presented in both written instructions and charted format, allowing knitters to choose their preferred method of following the pattern.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

• Stockinette Stitch (St st): Used for the fitted upper portion of the tee, creating a smooth, classic knit fabric
• Hourglass Lace: The signature stitch pattern featured in the lower body, adding visual interest and ventilation to the garment

Gauge and Fit

Achieving proper gauge is essential for this project. In stockinette stitch, the gauge is 27 stitches and 40 rows over 4 inches (10 centimeters). In the Hourglass Lace pattern, the gauge is 22.5 stitches and 40 rows over the same 4-inch measurement. The finished bust circumference measurements range from 29.5 inches (XS) to 45 inches (5X), ensuring options for various body types.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Lafayette Tee is designed to be worked with 4-ply yarn weight, a versatile weight suitable for creating garments with good drape and structure. The pattern notes that superwash yarns tend to grow when wet, so knitters are advised to wet block their gauge swatch before measuring to ensure accuracy. While specific needle sizes are referenced in the complete pattern, the use of circular needles is required for working in the round seamlessly.

Difficulty Level

This project is rated as intermediate difficulty. Knitters should be comfortable with working in the round, reading both written instructions and stitch charts, and managing lace patterns. The combination of seamless construction and lace work requires attention to detail and familiarity with fundamental knitting techniques.

Pattern Format and Designer

The Lafayette Tee pattern is available as a downloadable PDF from Donna Estin Designs. The comprehensive pattern includes both written instructions and charted representations of the stitches, accommodating different learning preferences among knitters. This design is the work of independent designer Donna Estin, whose patterns emphasize both wearability and aesthetic appeal.