Longboat Key Tee

Longboat Key Tee by Donna Estin Designs

What is Being Made

The Longboat Key Tee is a seamless, reversible knit top designed for women in sizes Small through 4X. This versatile garment features a deep V-neck that can be worn in the front or back, making it a multi-wear design. The finished chest measurements range from 32 inches (82 cm) in size Small to 56 inches (142 cm) in size 4X, accommodating a wide range of body types. The tee is described as playful and delicate, suitable for both casual everyday wear and resort-appropriate styling.

Construction Technique

The Longboat Key Tee is worked in the round from the bottom up, a construction method that eliminates the need for seaming. This seamless approach creates a clean, professional finish with minimal finishing work required. The pattern incorporates waist shaping to provide a flattering silhouette. After binding off, the only finishing steps needed are weaving in yarn tails and blocking, making this an efficient project with minimal post-knitting work. The reversible design allows the deep V-neck to be positioned at either the front or back of the garment, providing styling flexibility.

Stitches and Techniques

While the complete stitch details are referenced in a glossary section of the pattern, the construction involves knitting in the round, which typically employs stockinette stitch or similar fundamental knit stitches. The pattern includes armhole shaping and waist shaping techniques to create the garment's fitted silhouette. When working with hand-dyed yarns, the pattern calls for alternating skeins every 2 rows to create a balanced color distribution throughout the piece. Special attention is given to introducing new yarn balls a few inches from the armhole edges to maintain neat, clean armhole openings.

Materials

The Longboat Key Tee is worked in 4-ply yarn weight, which provides a lightweight, drapey fabric suitable for a casual tee. The pattern specifically mentions bamboo yarn as the fiber content, chosen for its cooling properties and elegant drape characteristics. The pattern accommodates hand-dyed yarns, with instructions for alternating between skeins to achieve even color distribution. Standard knitting needles appropriate for 4-ply yarn weight are required, along with tools for blocking and weaving in ends.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as intermediate difficulty. Knitters should be comfortable with working in the round, shaping techniques, and reading pattern instructions. The seamless construction and waist shaping require intermediate-level skills, though the straightforward bottom-up approach and minimal finishing make it accessible to knitters with solid foundational knowledge.