purlJam

# Sunny Days Cropped Tee
### A Beginner-Friendly Drop Shoulder Short Sleeve Pullover

A boxy, cropped pullover with a relaxed boatneck and breezy short sleeves — perfect for layering over high-waisted bottoms or wearing solo in warmer weather. Knit flat in simple rectangles with no armhole or sleeve cap shaping, this is an ideal first sweater project.

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## Sizes
**S (M, L, 1XL, 2XL)**
Shown in size M with ~6" positive ease.

### Finished Measurements
| Measurement | S | M | L | 1XL | 2XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bust circumference | 38" | 42" | 46" | 50" | 54" |
| Body length (hem to shoulder) | 13" | 13.5" | 14" | 14.5" | 15" |
| Armhole depth | 7" | 7.5" | 8" | 8.5" | 9" |
| Sleeve length (underarm) | 4" | 4" | 4" | 4" | 4" |
| Upper arm circumference | 14" | 15" | 16" | 17" | 18" |

**Recommended ease:** 4–8" positive ease at bust. Choose the size closest to your actual bust + 6".

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## Materials

**Yarn:** Worsted weight (#4) — smooth wool or wool/cotton blend recommended
- Approx. yardage: **750 (850, 950, 1050, 1150) yds**

**Needles:**
- US 8 / 5 mm straight or circular needles (main fabric)
- US 6 / 4 mm needles (ribbing)
- Adjust needle size to obtain gauge

**Notions:**
- Tapestry needle
- Stitch markers (2)
- Measuring tape
- Scissors

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## Gauge
**18 sts × 24 rows = 4" (10 cm)** in stockinette stitch on US 8 / 5 mm needles, after blocking.

*Take time to swatch — gauge is essential for fit.*

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## Abbreviations
- **CO** – cast on
- **BO** – bind off
- **k** – knit
- **p** – purl
- **st(s)** – stitch(es)
- **RS** – right side
- **WS** – wrong side
- **rep** – repeat
- **PM** – place marker

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## Stitch Patterns

**1x1 Rib (over even number of sts):**
- Row 1 (RS): *k1, p1; rep from * to end.
- Row 2 (WS): *p1, k1; rep from * to end.

**Stockinette Stitch:**
- RS rows: knit all sts.
- WS rows: purl all sts.

---

## Pattern

### BACK

With smaller needles (US 6 / 4 mm), **CO 86 (94, 104, 112, 122) sts.**

*Math check: 86 sts ÷ 18 sts/4" = 19.1" → ×2 pieces = 38.2" ≈ 38" bust ✓*

Work in **1x1 Rib** for **1.5"**, ending with a WS row.

Switch to larger needles (US 8 / 5 mm). Work in **stockinette stitch** until piece measures **13 (13.5, 14, 14.5, 15)"** from cast-on edge, ending with a WS row.

**Mark shoulders:** Place markers on each side of center 38 sts (this will be the boatneck opening).
- Shoulder sts each side: **24 (28, 33, 37, 42) sts**
- Center neck sts: **38 sts**

*Math check: 24 + 38 + 24 = 86 ✓ (M: 28+38+28=94 ✓; L: 33+38+33=104 ✓; 1XL: 37+38+37=112 ✓; 2XL: 42+38+42=122 ✓)*

**BO all sts loosely.** (Alternatively, place sts on holders for a 3-needle bind off later.)

---

### FRONT

Work exactly as **Back**.

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### JOIN SHOULDERS

With RS facing, align Front and Back. Using mattress stitch (or 3-needle bind off if sts were held), seam **24 (28, 33, 37, 42) sts** along each outer shoulder edge.

Leave the **center 38 sts** unseamed on both Front and Back — this forms the boatneck opening (approx. 8.5" wide on each side, giving a generous neck opening).

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### SLEEVES (Make 2)

Lay the joined body flat. Measure **7 (7.5, 8, 8.5, 9)"** down from the shoulder seam along the side edge on both Front and Back — this is your armhole depth. PM at this point on each side.

With larger needles (US 8 / 5 mm) and RS facing, beginning at the underarm marker on the Front, **pick up and knit 62 (68, 72, 76, 80) sts** evenly along the armhole edge to the underarm marker on the Back.

*Pick-up rate: ~3 sts for every 4 rows. Example for M: 7.5" × 24 rows/4" = 45 rows per side × 2 sides = 90 rows total; 68 sts ÷ 90 rows ≈ pick up 3 sts for every 4 rows ✓*

*Math check (upper arm): 62 sts ÷ 18 sts/4" = 13.8" ≈ 14" for S ✓*

**Begin working flat in stockinette** (the sleeve will be seamed along the underarm):
- Row 1 (WS): Purl.
- Row 2 (RS): Knit.

Continue in stockinette until sleeve measures **3"** from pick-up edge, ending with a RS row.

**Cuff:**
Switch to smaller needles (US 6 / 4 mm). Work in **1x1 Rib** for **1"**.

**BO all sts loosely in pattern.**

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### NECKBAND (Optional — recommended for a tidy edge)

The boatneck can be left as the natural bound-off edge for a casual look, OR finished with a neckband:

With smaller needles and RS facing, starting at one shoulder seam, **pick up and knit approximately 86 sts** evenly around the entire neck opening (about 38 sts across Front, 38 sts across Back, 5 sts down each side of the opening). Join to work in the round and PM for beginning of round.

Work in **1x1 Rib** for **1"**.

**BO all sts loosely in pattern.**

---

### FINISHING

1. **Seam side edges:** With RS together (or using mattress stitch on RS), seam the side edges of Front to Back from the hem up to the underarm marker.
2. **Seam sleeve underarm:** Seam the sleeve from cuff to underarm, matching the side seam.
3. **Weave in all ends** on the WS using a tapestry needle.
4. **Block** the finished sweater to measurements: dampen, lay flat, gently pat into shape, and allow to dry completely.

---

## Schematic Reference

```
       ___________________
      |       NECK        |
      |___________________|   ← shoulder seam (24-42 sts each side)
      |                   |
      |                   |   ← Body: 13-15" total
      |     BACK/FRONT    |
      |   (rectangle,     |
      |    no shaping)    |
      |___________________|
       19-27" wide each
       
  Sleeve picked up from straight side edge,
  worked down 4" to ribbed cuff.
```

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## Tips for Success
- **Block your swatch** before measuring gauge — worsted yarn often "grows" slightly.
- When picking up sleeve sts, **count carefully** — uneven pickup is the #1 issue in drop-shoulder sweaters.
- Bind off the neckline and cuffs **loosely** to maintain stretch.
- For a more cropped look, shorten body by ½–1"; for a longer fit, add 1–2" before the shoulder.

Enjoy your finished cropped tee! 🌞