Sideways Tee with Optional Sleeves Using Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light

The Design

“An all-season classic with sleeves or without!”

This deceptively simple top is cleverly knit from the center out to each side, rather than from top to bottom or vice versa. A modern pivot to a familiar style! A tapered shape allows for plenty of ease at the bust, while providing a relaxed and flattering bottom edge at hip length. We’ve also created a free adaptation to our original pattern so that you can add three-quarter-length sleeves to your tee! With no shaping to the sleeve, it’s a simple addition that makes a sweet, stylish difference.

We love the lightweight, versatile touch of Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light in our Sideways Tee. And then there’s the way the gentle variegations of the hand-dyed yarn show up in the vertical stockinette stitch! This 100% superwash merino wool is ethically sourced in South Africa, then spun into a single-ply, fingering-weight yarn. It then travels to Texas where it’s dyed by hand. Its clever, lightweight warmth makes our Sideways Tee a great, season-spanning top!

The Details

FINISHED SIZES
Sizes: S (M, L, XL). Details given for S; larger sizes in parentheses ( ).
Finished bust (at armholes): 49½ (57½, 65½, 73)”/126 (146, 166, 185)cm.
To fit bust: 28–32 (34–38, 40–44, 46–50)”/71–81 (86.5–96.5, 102–112, 117–127)cm.
With approx. ease: 17½–21½ (19½–23½, 21½–25½, 23–27)”/45–55 (49.5–59.5, 54–64, 58–68)cm.

Finished length: Measured from high shoulder (where shoulder meets neck) to bottom edge. 20½ (22¾, 25½, 28)”/52 (58, 65, 71)cm.

Sleeves: Approx. 16″/40 cm circumference; 8″/20cm long, measured from dropped shoulder. Intended to end midway between crook of elbow and bend of wrist; work to desired length.
Note: These slightly wide sleeves are worked straight (i.e. no decreases) to cuff edge.
For 8″/20cm sleeves, add approx. 200yds/183m.

YARN
2 (3, 4, 4) skeins of Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light (420 yds/384 per skein).

Model is wearing size Small with 8″/20cm sleeves in Color Oscuro. Sample without added sleeves is size Small in Color Tart.

Or approx. 815 (1045, 1300, 1580) yds/745 (956, 1189, 1 445)m of an equivalent fingering or DK-weight yarn.
Note: This fingering-weight version is held single-stranded throughout.

For custom lengths: To lengthen body, add approx. 35 (40, 45, 50) yds/32 (37, 41, 46)m of yarn for each 1″/2.5cm of knitted body length.

NEEDLES & NOTIONS
US 6 (4mm) 24″/60cm circular needles, or size to obtain gauge.
US 5 (3.75mm) 16″/40cm and 32″/80cm circular needles, or one size smaller than gauge needle.
US D/3 (3.25mm) crochet hook for provisional cast-on.
5 yds/m smooth fingering-weight waste yarn for provisional cast-on.
30 locking markers.
8 spare circular needles (gauge size or smaller), so you can knit off of needle from either end; or you can use waste yarn.
Darning needle to finish.

GAUGE
20 sts/30 rows = 4″/10cm in stockinette stitch, after blocking.

Errata & Clarifications

KNITTER’S NOTES
With a simple shape and stockinette stitch, this tee is all about the yarn. Choose a yarn (or combination of yarns) that will give you a soft draping fabric. And be sure to pay special attention to your swatch on this one! Unlike a typical knitted garment, this tee is knit sideways, so your row gauge will determine your fit and your stitch gauge will affect your length. Work a nice big swatch, and note your unblocked gauge for reference while you knit.