INTRODUCTION

Flowers in Shadow

by Christie WN

Flowers can be bright and flashy or soft and subtle. I was inspired by soft spring pastels, thinking of flowers in woodland shadow where the flowers are both hidden and visible at the same time.

This cotton tee is quick and easy to knit but has the added dimension of shadowy flowers to provide a simple but effective twist.

Worked with two yarns held together, there are lots of opportunities to play with colour, choosing pastels or brights, holding strands of two different colours or both the same.

Make this tee cropped as shown, or, if you prefer, there are suggestions given for three places in which the pattern can be lengthened or shortened.

The armholes are finished with the same folded hem and picot edge to match the body of the tee, but short sleeves can easily be added if you prefer more coverage.

model: Christie WN

photos: Kit WN

SIZE

 XS[S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X]
shown in size M with 2 inches/5 cm of positive ease at largest part of chest

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Chest/Bust:  32[36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64] inches/ 81.5[91.5, 101.5, 112, 122, 132, 142, 152.5, 162.5] cm
Length:  19.75[20.25, 20.25, 22.25, 22.25, 22.75, 24.25, 24.75, 25.25] inches/ 50[51.5, 51.5, 56.5, 56.5, 58, 61.5, 63, 64] cm

MATERIALS

Yarn
Bendigo Woolen Mills Cotton 4 ply [100% cotton; 732yds/670m per 200g skein];
[MC] Parchment; 1[1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2] skeins
[CC] Lilac Lace; 1[1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2] skeins

Note: Both yarns are held together throughout.

Yarn Characteristics
The sample shown uses 2 fingering-weight cotton yarns held together. Choose cotton or cotton blend yarns of a similar weight or a single strand to achieve gauge. If holding 2 strands together, choose solid or semi-solid colours.

Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below - every knitter's gauge is unique]
1 set US #3/3.25mm needles for working flat, plus extra needle for 3-needle bind-off
US #3/3.25mm circular needle, length 32-48 inches/ 80-120 cm
US #3/3.25mm circular needle, length 24 inch/ 60 cm (for neckband)
US #3/3.25mm circular needle, for working short circumference in the round (for sleeves)

Notions
stitch markers
stitch holders or waste yarn
yarn needle

GAUGE

22 sts/32 rounds = 4 inches/10 cm in stockinette stitch

Note: gauge is always taken after blocking.

PATTERN NOTES

[Knitty's list of standard abbreviations and techniques can be found here.]

Construction method: The body of this pullover is worked seamlessly in the round from the hem up. Front and back are split under the arms and worked in rows to the shoulders, then joined with a 3-Needle Bind Off. Stitches are picked up around the neck and arms and these are finished with a folded hem. To help counteract the stretchiness of cotton yarn, two columns of slipped stitches are worked up each side.

To lengthen body: Work additional St st rounds before Chart 1, between Charts 1 and 2, or after Chart 2.

To shorten body: Reduce length before Chart 1 or between Charts 1 and 2.

To add short sleeves: The armholes are finished with a 1 inch/ 2.5cm folded hem. If you want to add short sleeves, pick up sts around the armhole as per the instructions, then work in St st for 4 to 6 inches/ 10 to 15 cm, as preferred. Continue to work the Picot round and folded hem to finish.

Body pattern
Round 1: (K to m, sl m) 4 times, k to end.
Round 2: K1, sl1, sl m, k to m, sl m, sl1, k2, sl1, sl m, k to m, sl m, sl1, k1.
Rep these 2 rnds for patt.

CHARTS

Chart 1
Round 1: K9, p2, k59.
Round 2: K8, p4, k58.
Round 3: K7, p5, k58.
Rounds 4-6: K7, p6, k57.
Round 7: K7, p6, k3, p4, k50.
Round 8: K2, p2, k4, p5, k2, p6, k49.
Round 9: K1, p4, k4, p3, k3, p6, k49.
Round 10: P6, k3, p3, k3, p6, k49.
Round 11: P7, k2, p3, k2, p7, k49.
Round 12: P21, k49.
Round 13: P20, k34, p3, k7, p3, k3.
Round 14: P20, k33, p5, k5, p5, k2.
Round 15: K1, (p5, k2) twice, p4, k34, p5, k4, p6, k2.
Round 16: K1, p4, k3, p5, k40, p6, k3, p6, k2.
Round 17: K7, p8, k38, p6, k3, p6, k2.
Round 18: K6, p5, k1, p5, k37, p5, k3, p6, k2.
Round 19: K5, p6, k1, p6, k36, p6, k1, p6, k3.
Round 20: K5, p5, k3, p6, k36, p5, k1, p5, k4.
Round 21: K4, p6, k3, p6, k37, p8, k6.
Round 22: K4, p6, k3, p6, k31, p4, k3, p5, k8.
Round 23: K4, p5, k4, p6, k31, (p5, k2) twice, p4, k2.
Round 24: K4, p5, k5, p5, k30, p20, k1.
Round 25: K5, p3, k7, p3, k31, p20, k1.
Round 26: K49, p21.
Round 27: K49, p7, k2, p3, k2, p7.
Round 28: K49, p6, k3, p3, k3, p6.
Round 29: K50, p4, k4, p3, k3, p6.
Round 30: K51, p2, k4, p5, k2, p6.
Round 31: K56, p6, k3, p4, k1.
Rounds 32-34: K56, p6, k8.
Round 35: K56, p5, k9.
Round 36: K57, p4, k9.
Round 37: K58, p2, k10.

Chart 2
Round 1: K58, p2, k10.
Round 2: K57, p4, k9.
Round 3: K56, p5, k9.
Rounds 4-6: K56, p6, k8.
Round 7: K56, p6, k3, p4, k1.
Round 8: K51, p2, k4, p5, k2, p6.
Round 9: K50, p4, k4, p3, k3, p6.
Round 10: K49, p6, k3, p3, k3, p6.
Round 11: K49, p7, k2, p3, k2, p7.
Round 12: K49, p21.
Rounds 13-14: K49, p20, k1.
Round 15: K50, (p5, k2) twice, p4, k2.
Round 16: K50, p4, k3, p5, k8.
Round 17: K56, p8, k6.
Round 18: K10, p2, k43, p5, k1, p5, k4.
Round 19: K9, p4, k41, p6, k1, p6, k3.
Round 20: K9, p5, k40, p5, k3, p6, k2.
Rounds 21-22: K8, p6, k39, p6, k3, p6, k2.
Round 23: K8, p6, k39, p5, k4, p6, k2.
Round 24: K1, p4, k3, p6, k39, p5, k5, p5, k2.
Round 25: P6, k2, p5, k4, p2, k35, p3, k7, p3, k3.
Round 26: P6, k3, p3, k4, p4, k50.
Round 27: P6, k3, p3, k3, p6, k49.
Round 28: P7, k2, p3, k2, p7, k49.
Round 29: P21, k49.
Rounds 30-31: K1, p20, k49.
Round 32: K2, p4, (k2, p5) twice, k50.
Round 33: K8, p5, k3, p4, k50.
Round 34: K6, p8, k56.
Round 35: K4, p5, k1, p5, k55.
Round 36: K3, p6, k1, p6, k54.
Round 37: K2, p6, k3, p5, k54.
Rounds 38-39: K2, p6, k3, p6, k53.
Round 40: K2, p6, k4, p5, k53.
Round 41: K2, p5, k5, p5, k53.
Round 42: K3, p3, k7, p3, k54.

Back chart
Row 1 [RS]: K3, p3, k7, p3, k52.
Row 2 [WS]: P51, k5, p5, k5, p2.
Row 3: K2, p6, k4, p5, k51.
Row 4: P51, k6, p3, k6, p2.
Row 5: K2, p6, k3, p6, k51.
Row 6: P52, k5, p3, k6, p2.
Row 7: K3, p6, k1, p6, k52.
Row 8: P53, k5, p1, k5, p4.
Row 9: K6, p8, k54.
Row 10: P48, k4, p3, k5, p8.
Row 11: K2, p4, (k2, p5) twice, k37, p2, k9.
Row 12: P8, k4, p35, k20, p1.
Row 13: K1, p20, k35, p5, k7.
Row 14: P7, k6, p34, k21.
Row 15: P7, k2, p3, k2, p7, k34, p6, k7.
Row 16: P7, k6, p34, k6, p3, k3, p3, k6.
Row 17: P6, k3, p3, k4, p4, k28, p4, k3, p6, k7.
Row 18: P2, k2, p4, k5, p2, k6, p28, k2, p4, k5, p2, k6.
Row 19: K1, p4, k3, p6, k33, p6, k3, p3, k4, p4, k1.
Row 20: K6, p3, k3, p3, k6, p33, k6, p8.
Row 21: K8, p6, k33, p7, k2, p3, k2, p7.
Row 22: K21, p33, k6, p8.
Row 23: K9, p5, k34, p20.
Row 24: K20, p35, k4, p9.
Row 25: K10, p2, k37, p4, (k2, p5) twice, k1.
Row 26: P1, k4, p3, k5, p55.
Row 27: K53, p8, k7.
Row 28: P6, k5, p1, k5, p51.
Row 29: K50, p6, k1, p6, k5.
Row 30: P5, k5, p3, k6, p49.
Row 31: K49, p6, k3, p6, k4.
Row 32: P4, k6, p3, k6, p49.
Row 33: K49, p6, k4, p5, k4.
Row 34: P4, k5, p5, k5, p49.
Row 35: K50, p3, k7, p3, k5.

Front chart
Row 1 [RS]: K3, p3, k7, p3, k5.
Row 2 [WS]: P4, k5, p5, k5, p2.
Row 3: K2, p6, k4, p5, k4.
Row 4: P4, k6, p3, k6, p2.
Row 5: K2, p6, k3, p6, k4.
Row 6: P5, k5, p3, k6, p2.
Row 7: K3, p6, k1, p6, k5.
Row 8: P6, k5, p1, k5, p4.
Row 9: K6, p8, k7.
Row 10: P1, k4, p3, k5, p8.
Row 11: K2, p4, (k2, p5) twice, k1.
Row 12: K20, p1.
Row 13: K1, p20.
Row 14: Knit.
Row 15: P7, k2, p3, k2, p7.
Row 16: K6, p3, k3, p3, k6.
Row 17: P6, k3, p3, k4, p4, k1.
Row 18: P2, k2, p4, k5, p2, k6.
Row 19: K1, p4, k3, p6, k7.
Row 20: P7, k6, p8.
Row 21: K8, p6, k7.
Row 22: P7, k6, p8.
Row 23: K9, p5, k7.
Row 24: P8, k4, p9.
Row 25: K10, p2, k9.

View and download the CHARTS here:
Chart 1 | Chart 2 | Back chart | Front chart

DIRECTIONS

Hem
Using longer circular needle and with 1 strand of MC and 1 strand of CC held together, cast on 176[198, 220, 242, 264, 286, 308, 330, 352] sts. Pm and join to work in the rnd, being careful not to twist sts.

Work in St st for 1 inch/ 2.5 cm.

Picot round: (K2tog, yo) around.

Work in St st for 1 inch/ 2.5 cm.

Next round: Turn cast on edge to inside along Picot round to form folded hem. *K 1 st from needle tog with 1 st from cast-on; rep from * to end.

Body
Set-up round: K1, sl1, pm, k 84[95, 106, 117, 128, 139, 150, 161, 172] , pm, sl1, k2, sl1, pm, k 84[95, 106, 117, 128, 139, 150, 161, 172] , pm, sl1, k1.

Work Body Pattern for 1[1, 1, 1.5, 1.5, 1.5, 2, 2, 2] inches/ 2.5[2.5, 2.5, 4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 5] cm, ending after Round 2.

Begin Chart 1:
Set-up round: *K2, sl m, k 7[13, 18, 24, 29, 35, 40, 46, 51] , pm, work Chart 1 over next 70 sts, k 7[12, 18, 23, 29, 34, 40, 45, 51] to m, sl m, k2; rep from * once more.

Round 1: (K1, sl1, sl m, k to m, sl m, work Chart 1, k to m, sl m, sl1, k1) 2 times.
Round 2: (K2, sl m, k to m, sl m, work Chart 1, k to m, sl m, k2) 2 times.
Repeat Rounds 1-2 until 37 of Chart 1 has been completed; remove start of chart markers on last round.

Beg with Round 2, work in Body Pattern for 1.5[1.5, 1.5, 2, 2, 2, 2.5, 2.5, 2.5] inches / 4[4, 4, 5, 5, 5, 6.5, 6.5, 6.5] cm from end of Chart 1, ending after Round 2 of patt. Work measures approx. 8.25[8.25, 8.25, 9.25, 9.25, 9.25, 10.25, 10.25, 10.25] inches / 21[21, 21, 23.5, 23.5, 23.5, 26, 26, 26] cm from folded hem.

Begin Chart 2:
Set-up round: (K2, sl m, k 1[1, 1, 6, 11, 16, 21, 26, 31] , pm, work Chart 2 over next 70 sts, k to m, sl m, k2) 2 times.

Round 1: (K1, sl1, sl m, k to m, sl m, work Chart 2, k to m, sl m, sl1, k1) 2 times.
Round 2: (K2, sl m, k to m, sl m, work Chart 2, k to m, sl m, k2) 2 times.

Repeat Rounds 1-2 until Round 42 of Chart 2 has been completed; remove start of chart markers on last round.

Knit 1[1, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0] round.

Starting with Round 2[2, 2, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1] of patt, work Body Pattern for 0[0, 0, 0.5, 0.5, 0.5, 1, 1, 1] inch/ 0[0, 0, 1.5, 1.5, 1.5, 2.5, 2.5, 2.5] cm from end of Chart 2. Work measures approx. 13.5[13.5, 13.5, 15, 15, 15, 16.5, 16.5, 16.5] inches / 34.5[34.5, 34.5, 38, 38, 38, 42, 42, 42] cm from folded hem.

Divide for front and back:
Turn work to begin working flat in St st.

Back
Row 1 [WS]: Removing markers, p 88[99, 110, 121, 132, 143, 154, 165, 176] , turn.
Row 2 [RS]: Knit.

Work over these sts in St st until work measures 0.5[0.5, 1, 1, 1, 1.5, 1.5, 1.5, 1.5] inches/ 1.5[1.5, 2.5, 2.5, 2.5, 4, 4, 4, 4] cm from dividing point, ending after a WS row.

Begin Back Chart:
Set-up row [RS]: K 17[22, 27, 32, 37, 42, 47, 52, 57] , pm, work Back chart over next 68 sts, pm, k to end.

Row 1 [WS]: P to m, sl m, work Back Chart, sl m, p to end.
Row 2 [RS]: K to m, sl m, work Back Chart, sl m, k to end.
Repeat Rows 1-2 until Row 35 of Back Chart has been completed, removing markers on last row.

Cont in St st until piece measures 5[5.5, 5.5, 6, 6, 6.5, 6.5, 7, 7.5] inches/ 12.5[14, 14, 15, 15, 16.5, 16.5, 18, 19] cm from dividing point, ending after a WS row.

Shape back neck:
Next row: K 39[44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 68, 72] , BO 10[11, 14, 17, 20, 23, 26, 29, 32] sts, k to end of row.

Left Back
Row 1 [WS]: Purl.
Row 2 [RS]: BO 6 sts, k to end. 33[38, 42, 46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66] sts.
Rows 3, 5, 7: Purl.
Row 6: BO 4 sts, k to end. 29[34, 38, 42, 46, 50, 54, 58, 62] sts.
Row 8: BO 2 sts, k to end. 27[32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60] sts.
Row 9: Purl.
Break yarn and place rem sts on holder.

Right Back
Rejoin yarn to sts held for right back neck with WS facing.
Row 1 [WS]: BO 6 sts, p to end. 33[38, 42, 46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66] sts.
Row 2 [RS]: Knit.
Row 3 [WS]: BO 4 sts, p to end. 29[34, 38, 42, 46, 50, 54, 58, 62] sts.
Row 4: Knit.
Row 5: BO 2 sts, p to end. 27[32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60] sts.
Break yarn and place rem sts on holder.

Front
Join yarn to 88[99, 110, 121, 132, 143, 154, 165, 176] sts held for Front with WS facing for next row.

Work even in St st over these sts until work measures 2.5[3, 3, 3.5, 3.5, 3.5, 3.5, 4, 4] inches/ 6.5[7.5, 7.5, 9, 9, 9, 9, 10, 10] cm from dividing point, ending after a WS row.

Shape Neck:
Next row [RS]: K 42[46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 70, 74] , BO 4[7, 10, 13, 16, 19, 22, 25, 28] sts, k to end. Continue over these 42[46,  50,  54,  58,  62,  66,  70,  74] sts only for Right Front.

Right Front: (Begin Front Chart):
Set-up row [WS]: P 27[29, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, 43] , pm, p to end.
Row 1 [RS]: BO 4 sts, k to m, sl m, work Front chart, pm, k to end. 38[42, 46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 70] sts.
Rows 2, 4, 6, 8: P to m, sl m, work Front chart, sl m, p to end.
Row 3: BO 3 sts, k to m, sl m, work Front chart, sl m, k to end. 35[39, 43, 47, 51, 55, 59, 63, 67] sts.
Row 5: BO 2 sts, k to m, sl m, work Front chart, sl m, k to end. 33[37, 41, 45, 49, 53, 57, 61, 65] sts.

Row 7: BO 1 st, k to m, sl m, work Front chart, sl m, k to end. 32[36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64] sts.
Row 8: P to m, sl m, work Front chart, sl m, p to end.
Rep last 2 rows 1[0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0] time. 31[36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64] sts.

Next row [RS]: K1, ssk, k to m, sl m, work Front chart, sl m, k to end. 1 st decreased.
Next row [WS]: P to m, sl m, work Front chart, sl m, p to end.
Repeat last 2 rows 3 times more. 27[32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60] sts.

Work even in patt until Row 25 of Front Chart has been completed, removing markers on last row.

Work even in St st until work measures 6.25[6.75, 6.75, 7.25, 7.25, 7.75, 7.75, 8.25, 8.75] inches/ 16[17, 17, 18.5, 18.5, 19.5, 19.5, 21, 22] cm from dividing point, ending after a WS row. Break yarn and place rem sts on holder.

Left Front
Join yarn to sts held for Left Front, ready to work a WS row.
Row 1 [WS]: BO 4 sts, p to end. 38[42, 46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 70] sts.
Rows 2, 4, 6 [RS]: Knit.
Row 3: BO 3 sts, p to end. 35[39, 43, 47, 51, 55, 59, 63, 67] sts.
Row 5: BO 2 sts, p to end. 33[37, 41, 45, 49, 53, 57, 61, 65] sts.
Row 7: BO 1 sts, p to end. 32[36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64] sts.
Row 8: Knit.
Rep last 2 rows 1[0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0] time. 31[36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64] sts.

Next row [WS]: Purl.
Next row [RS]: K to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 1 st decreased.
Repeat last 2 rows 3 times more. 27[32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60] sts.

Cont in St st until armhole measures 6.25[6.75, 6.75, 7.25, 7.25, 7.75, 7.75, 8.25, 8.75] inches/ 16[17, 17, 18.5, 18.5, 19.5, 19.5, 21, 22] cm, ending after a WS row. Break yarn and place rem sts on holder.

FINISHING

With RS of Back and Front together, join shoulders using 3-needle bind-off.

Armhole Edging
With RS facing, beginning at underarm and using needles for working short circumference in the round, pick up and knit 2 st for every 3 edge sts around armhole, adjusting if necessary to an even number of sts. Pm and join to work in the round.

Work in St st for 1 inch/ 2.5 cm.

Picot round: (K2tog, yo) around.

Work in St st for 1 inch/ 2.5 cm.

Bind off.

Repeat for other armhole.

Neckband
With RS facing and using shorter circ, beginning at left shoulder, pick up and knit stitches around neckline as foll: 1 st for every 2 rows down to beg of neck decreases, 1 st for every row to BO section, 1 st for every BO sts across centre front, 1 st for every row up neck slope, then 1 st for every 2 rows to right shoulder. Pick up and knit 1 st in every BO st across back neck. Adjust by 1 st if necessary to end with an even number of sts. Pm and join to work in the rnd.

Knit 2 rounds.
Picot round: (K2tog, yo) around.

Knit 2 rounds.

Bind off.

Turn sleeves and neckband to inside along Picot round. Use single strand of yarn to sew bound off edge to line of picked up sts on inside.
Weave in all ends. Wash and block gently to measurements.

A – Front/back chest width: 16[18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32] inches/ 40.5[45.5, 51, 56, 61, 66, 71, 76, 81.5] cm
B – Armhole length: 6.25[6.75, 6.75, 7.25, 7.25, 7.75, 7.75, 8.25, 8.75] inches/ 16[17, 17, 18.5, 18.5, 19.5, 19.5, 21, 22] cm
C – Body length:  13.5[13.5, 13.5, 15, 15, 15, 16.5, 16.5, 16.5] inches/ 34.5[34.5, 34.5, 38, 38, 38, 42, 42, 42] cm
D – Front neck depth:  3.75[3.75, 3.75, 3.75, 3.75, 4.25, 4.25, 4.25, 4.75] inches/ 9.5[9.5, 9.5, 9.5, 9.5, 11, 11, 11, 12] cm
E – Neck width: 5[5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9] inches/ 12.5[14, 15, 16.5, 17.5, 19, 20, 21.5, 23] cm
F – Sleeve edging length: 1 inch/ 2.5 cm

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

Christina Wareham-Norfolk aka "Christie WN" lives in Tasmania, Australia.

Christie started knitting as a creative outlet when chronic illnesses resulted in a lot of time spent sitting or lying down. Christie also crochets, weaves, makes bobbin lace, does dressmaking, cross stitch and kumihimo braiding and has been known to dive into any textile-based rabbit hole that crosses her path.

Find more of her work at her Ravelry store, Ravelry profile or Instagram.

Pattern & images © 2024 Christie WN