Lil Sonya Tee

Lil Sonya Tee by Born & Raised Knits

What Is Being Made

The Lil Sonya Tee is a children's knitted t-shirt designed for sizes 2 through 10. This top-down constructed garment features a fitted yoke with a peplum detail at the waist, creating a playful silhouette perfect for young wearers. The finished chest circumference ranges from 19 inches for size 2 up to 28 inches for size 10, with recommended positive ease of 0 to 1 inch for an ideal fit. The yoke length, including ribbing, measures between 6 and 7 inches depending on size.

Techniques Used

This pattern employs several intermediate knitting techniques that add visual interest and construction sophistication:

• Knitting in the Round: The garment is constructed circularly using circular needles, which eliminates seaming and creates seamless fabric throughout the body and sleeves.
• Stranded Knitting: Also known as Fair Isle knitting, this colorwork technique uses two yarn colors held simultaneously to create patterned designs. The pattern includes Chart B as the colorwork guide for gauge swatching and pattern placement.
• Peplum Folds: A shaping technique that creates decorative folds at the waist, giving the tee a distinctive silhouette and added visual detail.
• Top-Down Construction: The garment is knitted from the neckline downward, allowing for easy fit adjustments and seamless integration of the yoke and body.

Stitches Used

The Lil Sonya Tee utilizes fundamental knitting stitches combined with increase techniques for shaping:

• Knit (k): The primary stitch forming the stockinette stitch fabric base.
• Purl (p): Used in ribbing at the neckline and cuffs for elasticity and definition.
• Purl One Through the Back Loop (p1tbl): A twisted purl stitch that creates a refined edge and counts as a single stitch increase.
• Make One (m1): An invisible increase technique used for yoke shaping that adds one stitch without creating visible holes.
• Stockinette Stitch: The primary fabric structure, created by alternating knit and purl rows, providing a smooth, classic appearance.
• Ribbing: Used at the neckline, cuffs, and hem for elasticity and a finished look.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Lil Sonya Tee pattern is designed for 4-ply fingering weight yarn, which creates a lightweight, delicate fabric ideal for children's garments. The pattern features two coordinating colors:

• Main Color (MC): 'October' in Boon Classic fingering weight from Woolen Boon, requiring 260 to 340 yards depending on size.
• Contrast Color (CC): 'Copper Boom' in Boon Classic fingering weight from Woolen Boon, requiring 140 to 220 yards for the stranded colorwork elements.

Needles Required:

• US 5 Circular Needles: Available in 16-inch and 24 to 32-inch lengths for the main body and sleeves knitted in stockinette stitch.
• US 4 Circular Needles: Available in 16-inch and 9-inch lengths for ribbing at the neckline, cuffs, and hem, which require smaller needles to achieve proper gauge and elasticity.

Additional Notions: A darning needle for weaving in yarn ends after completing the garment, and stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and construction points.

Gauge and Fit

Proper gauge is essential for this pattern's success. Knitters should swatch in stockinette stitch using Chart B and the US 5 needles to ensure accurate finished measurements. The pattern accommodates five different children's sizes with graduated yoke lengths and finished chest circumferences, allowing customization for different age ranges and body proportions.