The Tot Tee

DESIGNER’S NOTES

“A timeless and charming essential for little wardrobes, The Tot Tee blends effortless style with sweet simplicity—perfect for playful little ones on the move. Featuring smooth, soothing rows of stockinette stitch, this joyful knit is as satisfying to make as it is to wear. The clean, refined silhouette is thoughtfully sized for 1T–3T, creating a versatile, go-anywhere layer that moves with active toddlers through every season.

Soft, cozy, and endlessly wearable, The Tot Tee works up quickly into a delightful keepsake—one destined to be loved, lived in, and passed along. Whether you’re crafting for your own little one or creating a heartfelt gift, this enjoyable project offers a quick, satisfying knit with lasting charm, capturing the warmth and beauty of classic handmade knitting.”

INCLUDED

Item is a digital knitting pattern file containing written instructions, video tutorials, a stitch glossary, and more.

SIZE & FIT

 Sizes: 1T, 2T, 3T (Toddlers aged 1-3). Fit: The Tot Tee features a beautifully relaxed fit that makes it both comfortable and versatile for everyday wear. The body is designed with approximately 3.5”–4.5” of built-in positive ease, creating a soft, easy drape that allows little ones to move freely throughout their day. The sleeves follow the same relaxed styling — with a gentle fit around the arms that looks equally charming on its own or layered over a long-sleeve top.

The overall silhouette is classic and unfussy, with clean lines and a slightly boxy shape that flatters toddler proportions without feeling restrictive. The neckline sits comfortably at the collarbone, framed by a simple ribbed edge, while the hem and sleeve cuffs mirror this detail for a cohesive, polished finish. Whether styled loose and casual or paired with other handmade knits, The Tot Tee offers timeless appeal with a wearable, child-friendly fit.

SKILL LEVEL
• Intermediate.
Video tutorials provided.

While The Tot Tee is designed with intermediate knitters in mind, it’s a wonderfully approachable project for adventurous beginners as well. The pattern includes a few thoughtful details — such as short row neck shaping and seamless top-down, in-the-round construction — that give the finished garment a polished look and comfortable fit. These small nuances elevate the design while keeping the overall project quick and enjoyable to knit.

If you’re newer to garment knitting, don’t worry — every technique used in this pattern is supported with clear, helpful video tutorials, so you’ll feel guided every step of the way. Whether you’re an intermediate knitter or a confident beginner looking to expand your skills, The Tot Tee is a fun, accessible knitting pattern project to tackle.

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GAUGE
18 sts x 23 rnds = 4″ (10 cm) in Stockinette Stitch on U.S. 8 (5 mm) needles, blocked.
REQUIRED MATERIALS

Pattern includes linked shopping list. Yarn: Medium/Worsted-Weight (Category 4). Needles: U.S. Size 8 (5 mm)

CONSTRUCTION

The Tot Tee is seamlessly knitted in the round from the top-down, using raglan-style increases to shape the yoke and sleeves. This construction method means there is no need for any seaming when the knitting is complete — once you bind off, the garment is ready to wear. Working top-down also allows you to easily customize the length of the body and sleeves as you go, making it a wonderfully flexible knit pattern. The in-the-round design creates a smooth, comfortable fabric with no bulky seams, making The Tot Tee as cozy to wear as it is fun to knit.

View Skill Classifications.