This top down raglan tee knitting pattern is a sweet, lightweight project for knitters looking through my collection of free sweater knitting patterns for a child-sized summer top with pretty details. The Youth Lydia Tee is worked from the top down with yarn over raglan increases, a front lace panel down the center, and simple shaping that makes it a practical tee for everyday wear.
If you have been wanting a free top down tee pattern for kids that feels a little more special than a plain stockinette shirt, this pattern is a great one to cast on. The top down construction makes it easy to check length as you go, while the lace panel gives the front of the tee a pretty focal point without covering the whole sweater in lace. Instructions are included for sizes 3/4 years through 13/14 years, so you can make one for younger girls, older girls, or even size up for a relaxed oversized fit.
The Youth Lydia Tee is the kind of project that looks cute with jeans, skirts, or shorts, and it has enough detail to feel handmade in the best way. I made my daughter’s tee a size up so it would last longer and have a little extra room, and it looks especially cute tucked in just at the front with jeans.
This is also a helpful pattern if you want a wearable project that is not too heavy for warmer weather. The DK cotton yarn gives it a soft, easy drape, while the raglan shaping keeps the construction familiar and approachable.
What Do You Need to Knit a Top Down Raglan Tee?
To knit this top down raglan tee knitting pattern, you will need Premier Yarns Cotton Sprout DK, size 5 (3.75 mm) circular knitting needles, and size 3 (3.25 mm) circular knitting needles. The smaller needles are used for the ribbing, while the larger needles are used for the main body of the tee.
Cotton Sprout DK works well for this youth tee because it is soft, breathable, and comfortable for kids to wear. Since this is a cotton yarn, it gives the finished tee a nice drape without making it feel too warm or bulky.
You will also want stitch markers to help separate the raglan sections, a tapestry needle for weaving in ends, and scrap yarn or stitch holders for holding the sleeve stitches. If you like to check fit as you go, the top down construction makes that much easier than a bottom-up tee.
Because the tee is worked from the top down, you can measure the yoke, body, and sleeve length as you knit. This is especially helpful when knitting for kids, since sizing up or adding length can help the finished top last a little longer.
I chose to make my daughter’s tee one size larger for a slightly oversized feel. It still looks polished, but it gives her a little extra room to grow.
How Is This Youth Raglan Tee Knit?
This free youth raglan tee knitting pattern begins at the neckline and is worked down through the yoke with yarn over raglan increases. The yarn overs create a pretty decorative line at each raglan seam while also adding the stitches needed to shape the tee.
The front of the tee includes a lace panel down the center, which adds a delicate detail without making the whole project feel complicated. Once the yoke is complete, the sleeve stitches are placed on hold, and the body is worked down from there.
This style of construction is great if you enjoy knitting kids’ sweaters and tees without seaming. The top down raglan shape is easy to follow, and the lace panel gives you just enough interest to keep the project fun.
The finished tee has a simple shape with a pretty front detail, making it easy to dress up or down. It works well as a summer top, a layering piece, or a handmade tee that can be worn with everyday outfits.
If you are newer to lace, this is a nice place to practice because the lace is only worked on the front panel instead of across the whole garment. Just keep an eye on your stitch count and markers as you work the raglan increases.
What Can You Knit After the Youth Lydia Tee?
If you enjoy knitting this top down raglan tee, you may also like these free knitting patterns for kids:
These patterns are all great options if you like knitting handmade tops, sweaters, and layering pieces for children. Some are lightweight for warmer weather, while others are better for cooler days or layering over dresses and tees.
The Youth Lydia Tee is a fun addition to a handmade wardrobe because it has that easy everyday shape with a little extra detail on the front. The yarn over raglan increases and lace panel make it pretty without being too fussy.
It is also a pattern you can adjust a bit depending on the fit you want. Knit the size closest to the child’s measurements for a more standard fit, or size up if you want a relaxed tee that can hopefully be worn longer.
Youth Lydia Tee Free Pattern
Size: (3/4y, 5/6y) 7/8y, 9/10y (11/12y, 13/14yrs)
Materials: Approximately (545, 631) 745, 868 (948, 1131) of Premier Yarns Cotton Sprout dk (100g/230y), needle, stitch markers
Needle Size: 5(US) 3.75mm & 3(US) 3.25mm straight and dpn
Gauge (tension): 24sts & 32 rows to make 10cm square, using size 5(US) 3.75mm needles
Chest Measurement: (57, 61) 66, 72 (78, 84) cm or (22.5, 24) 26.5, 28.75 (30.5, 33) ins
METHOD
This pattern is a top-down raglan that is worked in the round with 10cm of ease.
- Lydia Stitch Patten
Round 1 – p1, k3, k2tog, k1, yo, p2, yo, k1, ssk, k3, p1
Round 2 – p1, k6, p2, k6, p1
Round 3 – p1, k2, k2tog, k1, yo, k1, p2, k1, yo, k1, ssk, k2, p1
Round 4 – p1, k6, p2, k6, p1
Round 5 – p1, k1, k2tog, k1, yo, k2, p2, k2, yo, k1, ssk, k1, p1
Round 6 – p1, k6, p2, k6, p1
Round 7 – p1, k2tog, k1, yo, k3, p2, k3, yo, k1, ssk, p1
Round 8 – p1, k6, p2, k6, p1 - NECK
Cast on (52, 52) 54, 58 (60, 64) sts in using larger needles
Join in the round
SET-UP ROUND
Purl (3, 3) 3, 3 (3, 3) (front), pm,
Purl (5, 5) 5, 5 (5, 5) (sleeve), pm,
Purl (37, 37) 39, 43 (45, 49) (back), pm,
Purl (5, 5) 5, 5 (5, 5) (sleeve), pm,
Purl (2, 2) 2, 2 (2, 2) (front), place bor marker
Note: Markers are positioned to indicate when the raglan shaping stitches should be worked. The markers at the end of the sleeve sections are purposefully offset by 1 stitch to keep symmetry - RAGLAN SHAPING
Raglan shaping and neck shaping are worked AT THE SAME TIME!
Shape raglan seams by increasing 1 st each side of each marker, a total of 8 sts increased per round
Work each raglan round as follows:
Inc round – work to next marker, yo, sm, k1, yo, work across sleeve to next marker, yo, sm, k1, yo, work across back to next marker, yo, sm, k1, yo, work across sleeve to next marker, yo, sm, k1, yo work to end of round
Work raglan increases as described above
Every other round/row (15, 17) 19, 19 (21, 23) times
then every 4th round/row (3, 3) 3, 4 (4, 4) times
Work (3, 3) 3, 3 (3, 3) rounds without any shaping. - NECK SHAPING
Stitches are increased at the beginning and end of each row to shape the front neck.
Start front neck shaping after working (3, 5) 5, 7 (6, 5) rows after the set-up row:
Increase 1sts at each end of front neck
Work 3 more rows without neckline shaping.
Increase 1 st at each end of front neck each following (1 rows.
Work 1 more row.
Increase 1 st at each end of front neck each following (4, 4) 4, 3 (4, 5) rows.
Cast on (2, 2) 3, 4 (4, 4) pm, co (16, 16) 16, 16 (16, 16) pm, co (2, 2) 3, 4 (4, 4) sts at the end of the next right side row.
Join in the round. The markers in the cast on stitches marker your lace panel. From here on out the stitches in between those markers are worked in the charted stitch patterns
STITCH COUNT CHECK
Total stitches: (228, 244) 264, 280 (300, 324)
Front/Back: (72, 76) 82, 88 (94, 102)
Sleeve: (42, 46) 50, 52 (56, 60) - DIVIDE FOR BODY AND SLEEVES
Sm, (this is now your bor marker), place (42, 46) 50, 52 (56, 60) sleeve stitches on stitch holder,
Cast on (8, 8) 8, 10 (10, 10) sts, remove raglan marker,
Work across (72, 76) 82, 88 (94, 102) back stitches, remove raglan marker,
Place (42, 46) 50, 52 (56, 60) sleeve stitches on stitch holder, remove raglan marker
Cast on (8, 8) 8, 10 (10, 10) sts, remove, raglan marker,
Work across (72, 76) 82, 88 (94, 102) front stitches
[(160, 168) 180, 196 (208, 224) sts] - BODY
Continue in pattern as established for (20, 22.5) 25, 27.5 (30, 32.5) cm (or desired length) or (8, 9) 10, 11 (12, 13) in measuring from underarm (or desired length)
Switch to smaller needles.
Work in k1p1 ribbing for 2.5cms or 1ins
Bind off in pattern. - SLEEVE (REPEAT FOR BOTH SLEEVES)
Using larger needles (you may need to use dpn or magic loop),
Pick up and knit (4, 4) 4, 5 (5, 5) sts from underarm,
Work the (42, 46) 50, 52 (56, 60) sts from stitch holder,
Pick up and knit (4, 4) 4, 5 (5, 5) sts from underarm, pm.
[(50, 54) 58, 62 (66, 70) sts]
Knit (1, 3) 3, 3 (3, 3) rounds.
Decrease 1 stitch at each side of marker next round then every (8th, 6th) 6th, 8th (6th, 6th) round (1, 1) 2, 1 (2, 3) times.
Then decrease each side of marker every following (0, 4th) 0, 6th (4th, 0) rounds (0, 1) 0, 1 (1, 0) times to
(46, 48) 52, 56 (58, 62) sts.
Knit (4, 4) 4, 4 (4, 4) more rounds.
Change to smaller needle.
Work in k1p1 ribbing for 2cms or .75, ins
Bind off in pattern. - NECK
With right side facing, using smaller needle, beginning at the back left raglan, pick up and knit:
(6, 6) 6, 6 (6, 6) sts from left sleeve,
(7, 9) 9, 10 (10, 12) sts down left front,
(20, 20) 22, 24 (24, 24) sts along center front,
(7, 9) 9, 10 (10, 12) sts up right front,
(6, 6) 6, 6 (6, 6) sts, from right sleeve,
(36, 36) 38, 42 (44, 48) sts from back.
[(82, 86) 90, 98 (102, 108) sts]
Join in the round and place beginning of round marker.
Work for 2.5 cms or 1in.
Bind off in pattern. - FINISHING
Weave in all ends and block accordingly.
- ABBREVIATIONS
BOR – beginning of round
CO – cast on
K – knit
K2tog -knit 2 stitches together
P – purl
PM – place marker
SM – slip marker
SSK – slip, slip, knit the slipped sts together
STS – stitches
YO – yarn over
Would you make the Youth Lydia Tee in a true-to-size fit, or would you size up for an oversized look? Let me know in the comments!
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The post Youth Lydia Tee: Free Top Down Raglan Tee Knitting Pattern appeared first on The Knit in the Womb Blog.
