Leader T-Shirt in Viking Of Norway - UK-2322-8 - Downloadable PDF

Leader T-Shirt by Turid Stapnes – Viking Garn Bamboo Knitting Pattern (UK-2322-8)

The Leader T-Shirt, pattern number UK-2322-8, is a stylish, lightweight knitted top designed by Turid Stapnes and published by Viking of Norway. This downloadable PDF pattern produces a classic short-sleeved T-shirt silhouette constructed using a raglan yoke method, making it a satisfying project for intermediate knitters who are comfortable working in the round and managing multiple markers and decrease sequences. The garment is knitted in a clean, contemporary style that suits both casual and smart-casual wear, and its breathable yarn composition makes it especially well-suited to warmer seasons.

Garment Overview

The Leader T-Shirt is a fitted, pull-on top with short sleeves and a neat neckband. It is worked seamlessly from the bottom up or shaped through a raglan construction that joins the body and sleeves at the yoke. The finished piece features a tidy ribbed neckband and a smooth stocking stitch body. The design is available in five sizes, offering a broad range of fits:

• Sizes: X-Small, Small, Medium, Large, X-Large
• Chest circumference: 90 – 100 – 110 – 120 – 130 cm (35½ – 39¼ – 43¼ – 47¼ – 51¼ in)
• Whole length: 52 – 54 – 56 – 58 – 60 cm (20½ – 21¼ – 22 – 22¾ – 23½ in)
• Sleeve length: 18 – 19 – 20 – 21 – 22 cm (7 – 7½ – 7¾ – 8¼ – 8¾ in)

Construction and Techniques

The defining structural feature of the Leader T-Shirt is its raglan yoke shaping. Raglan construction is a classic seamless knitting technique in which the sleeves and body are joined and then decreased simultaneously at four set points — the raglan joins — as the yoke is worked upward toward the neckline. This creates the characteristic diagonal decrease lines running from the underarm to the neck and results in a comfortable, flexible fit across the shoulders.

The raglan decreases are worked on every second round, with 8 stitches decreased per decrease round — 2 stitches at each of the 4 raglan joins. The specific decrease method used at each join is a paired decrease: a slip, knit 1, pass slipped stitch over (skp/psso) on one side and a knit 2 together (k2tog) on the other, creating neat, mirrored decrease lines. The yoke is worked until the stitch counts reach 92 – 90 – 96 – 102 – 100 stitches remaining across all sections, after completing 26 – 30 – 33 – 36 – 40 raglan decrease rounds depending on size.

Once the yoke shaping is complete, the pattern transitions to the neckband, which is worked on a smaller needle size of 2½ mm. The neckband begins with one round of stocking stitch, followed by k1, p1 ribbing worked until the band measures approximately 2 cm (¾ in), then cast off in pattern. This ribbed finish gives the neckline a clean, stretchy edge that lies flat and frames the face neatly.

Stitches and Skills Used

• Stocking stitch (stockinette): The main fabric of the body and sleeves, worked in the round as knit every round, producing a smooth, flat surface ideal for showcasing the drape of the bamboo-cotton yarn.
• K1, P1 Ribbing: Used for the neckband to create a stretchy, structured edge.
• Raglan decreases: Paired decreases worked at four marked points — slip, k1, psso (left-leaning) and k2tog (right-leaning) — to shape the yoke.
• Working in the round: The garment is constructed circ