purlJam

# The Easy Everyday Tee
### A Beginner-Friendly Drop-Shoulder Pullover

A relaxed, boxy tee with dropped shoulders, a wide boatneck, and short sleeves. Worked in two simple rectangles with picked-up sleeves — no armhole shaping, no sleeve caps, no fuss. The perfect first jumper project.

---

## Sizes

To fit bust: **81 / 91 / 102 / 112 / 122 cm** (32 / 36 / 40 / 44 / 48 in)
Sizes: **S (M, L, XL, 2XL)**

### Finished Measurements
| Measurement | S | M | L | XL | 2XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bust circumference | 96 cm (37¾") | 106 cm (41¾") | 116 cm (45¾") | 126 cm (49½") | 136 cm (53½") |
| Body length (hem to shoulder) | 56 cm (22") | 58 cm (22¾") | 60 cm (23½") | 60 cm (23½") | 62 cm (24½") |
| Armhole depth | 22 cm (8¾") | 23 cm (9") | 24 cm (9½") | 25 cm (9¾") | 25 cm (9¾") |
| Sleeve length | 18 cm (7") | 18 cm (7") | 19 cm (7½") | 19 cm (7½") | 20 cm (8") |
| Boatneck opening | 22 cm (8¾") | 24 cm (9½") | 24 cm (9½") | 26 cm (10¼") | 26 cm (10¼") |

**Designed ease:** approx. 10–15 cm (4–6") positive ease.

---

## Materials

- **Yarn:** Worsted weight (Aran) wool or wool-blend, approx. 200 m / 100 g per skein.
  - Yardage required: **700 (800, 900, 1000, 1100) m** / approx. **4 (4, 5, 5, 6)** skeins.
- **Needles:**
  - 4.0 mm (US 6) straight or circular needles — main fabric
  - 3.5 mm (US 4) needles — ribbing
- **Notions:** Tapestry needle, stitch markers, scissors, measuring tape.

---

## Tension (Gauge)

**18 sts × 24 rows = 10 cm (4")** in stocking stitch on 4.0 mm needles, after blocking.

*Take time to check your tension — it determines the finished size.*

---

## Abbreviations (UK)

- **CO** – cast on
- **BO** – cast/bind off
- **k** – knit
- **p** – purl
- **st(s)** – stitch(es)
- **st st** – stocking stitch (knit RS, purl WS)
- **RS / WS** – right side / wrong side
- **rep** – repeat
- **rem** – remaining

---

## Construction Notes

This tee is worked flat in **two rectangles** (back and front), seamed at the shoulders leaving the centre open for the boatneck. Sleeves are then picked up along the straight side edge of the armhole and worked downwards to the cuff. Side and underarm seams are sewn last.

There is no armhole or neckline shaping — perfect for beginners.

---

## BACK

With 3.5 mm needles, CO **86 (95, 104, 113, 122)** sts.

*Math check: 86 sts ÷ 18 sts per 10 cm = 47.8 cm; ×2 = 95.6 cm ≈ 96 cm bust ✓*

**Row 1 (RS):** k1, *p1, k1; rep from * to end.
**Row 2 (WS):** p1, *k1, p1; rep from * to end.

Continue in 1×1 rib until work measures **5 cm (2")** from cast-on, ending after a WS row.

Change to 4.0 mm needles. Work in st st (k on RS, p on WS) until piece measures **56 (58, 60, 60, 62) cm** from cast-on, ending after a WS row.

*Row check: 56 cm × 2.4 rows/cm = approx. 134 rows total.*

**Bind off** all sts loosely.

---

## FRONT

Work exactly as for Back.

---

## SHOULDER JOIN (Boatneck)

Lay Back and Front together with right sides facing.

- **Shoulder seam width each side:** **(86−40)/2 = 23 sts** for size S, calculated as follows:

| Size | Total sts | Neck opening sts (centre) | Shoulder sts (each side) |
|---|---|---|---|
| S | 86 | 40 sts (≈22 cm) | 23 sts |
| M | 95 | 43 sts (≈24 cm) | 26 sts |
| L | 104 | 43 sts (≈24 cm) | 30 (rounded: 30 + 31) |
| XL | 113 | 47 sts (≈26 cm) | 33 |
| 2XL | 122 | 47 sts (≈26 cm) | 37 (rounded: 37 + 38) |

*For sizes L and 2XL, distribute the extra stitch to one shoulder — this won't show in wear.*

Using mattress stitch and matching yarn, **seam the outer shoulder stitches together on each side**, leaving the centre stitches free for the boatneck opening.

*Verification: Boatneck opening of 22–26 cm easily clears an average adult head (head circumference ~55–58 cm, but the fabric stretches and the opening lies on the shoulder line).*

---

## SLEEVES (Make 2)

With RS facing and 4.0 mm needles, beginning at the underarm side seam edge:

Pick up and knit stitches along the straight armhole edge of the body, working at a rate of **3 sts for every 4 rows**.

- **Armhole depth:** 22 (23, 24, 25, 25) cm × 2 = 44 (46, 48, 50, 50) cm total armhole opening (front + back).
- Rows in armhole: 22 cm × 2.4 = ~53 rows per side; ~106 rows total.
- Pick up: 106 × 3/4 = **80 (84, 86, 90, 90)** sts.

Pick up **80 (84, 86, 90, 90)** sts evenly around the armhole. Make sure this number is even.

Work in st st, beginning with a purl row (WS), for **14 (14, 15, 15, 16) cm**, ending after a WS row.

Change to 3.5 mm needles. Work in 1×1 rib (as for body) for **4 cm (1½")**.

**Bind off** loosely in pattern.

*Total sleeve length: 14 + 4 = 18 (18, 19, 19, 20) cm ✓*

---

## FINISHING

1. **Weave in all loose ends.**
2. **Side and underarm seams:** Using mattress stitch, seam from the cuff edge along the underarm and down the side of the body to the lower hem in one continuous line. Repeat for the other side.
3. **Neckband (optional):** The boatneck edge is left raw. If you prefer a tidier finish, with 3.5 mm needles pick up sts evenly around the boatneck opening (approx. 3 sts for every 4 rows along the side edges + 1 st per cast-off st across the centre), join in the round, work 4 rounds in 1×1 rib, and bind off loosely in pattern.
4. **Block** to finished measurements: dampen the garment, lay flat, gently pat into shape, and allow to dry completely.

---

## Schematic

```
        ←—— 48 (53, 58, 63, 68) cm ——→
        ┌───────────────────────────────┐  ↑
        │           BACK / FRONT          │  │
        │                                 │  │
        │                                 │  56–62 cm
        │         (worked flat)           │  │
        │                                 │  │
        │░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░│  ↓  ← 5 cm rib
        └───────────────────────────────┘
        
                    Sleeve
        ┌─────────────┐  ↑
        │             │  │
         \           /   18–20 cm
          \  picked /    │
           \  up   /     │
            ░░░░░        ↓  ← 4 cm cuff rib
```

---

## Tips for Beginners

- **Edge stitches:** Slip the first stitch of every row purlwise to create a tidy edge — it makes seaming and picking up much easier.
- **Picking up sleeve sts:** Use a smaller needle to pick up, then transfer to your 4.0 mm working needle on the first row.
- **Loose bind off:** A tight bind off at the hem or cuffs will pull in. If yours tends to be tight, try binding off using a needle one size larger.
- **Try it on:** Once shoulders are seamed, try the body on before knitting sleeves — you can adjust sleeve length to suit your arms.

Enjoy your new everyday tee! 🌿