Customize the Relax Tee knitting pattern for a custom top

 #knityourstyle

Despite only coming out earlier this year, the Relax Tee has quickly become one of our top selling patterns! Featuring a compound raglan construction for a lovely fit, as well as two different sleeve lengths, this pattern is serving as a wardrobe staple many knitters are customizing for themselves.

These beautiful tees are inspiring me to pick up the needles and cast-on my next version!

Omit the purl ridges

Shown here on our wonderful tester Jen (@jennyknitsandreads), you can choose to omit the purl ridges altogether when knitting your tee.

For extra elegance, Jen opted for a folded detail on the hem and cuffs, as well as an applied i-cord on the neckline. She utilized this tutorial on a knit hem and this one for working an applied i-cord, both from  Purl Soho.

Keep in mind that omitting the purl ridges might affect your row gauge and therefore your raglan depth.

Stripes - Thick or thin!

Though our longtime tester Stephanie (@edible.thoughts.makes) didn’t join us for this particular pattern test, this hasn’t kept her from knitting up several versions since the pattern’s release (3 to be exact)!

Like Jen above, Stephanie also chose to omit the purl ridges and work thin stripes instead for her second version. Following our raglan tracker, she worked a two-row contrasting stripe rather than the three-row purl ridge repeat. This is also a clever way to ensure that your overall row gauge does not change across the pattern and your armhole depth remains the same.

Thin stripes are a great option for using up your precious scrap yarn that you might not know what to do with but cannot seem to part with (this can’t just be me, right?).

In the mood for a more striking stripe pattern? Sarah (@SarahKarine) opted to knit her tee in a three-color stripe repeat by simply working each pattern repeat in a different color. Hate to weave in ends? This tutorial is our favorite way to weave in ends as you go.

Choose as few as two colors to alternate between or make this a real scrap buster by knitting a different color for each stripe! In her tester version, Jen chose to work up the Relax Tee in a five-color repeating stripe pattern.

Contrasting purl ridges - Sequin edition

Love the look of a thin stripe, but want to keep the texture we love in the pattern? Marla (@marlalappe) had a fun take on creating contrast color purl ridges by holding a lace weight sequined yarn double with her main yarn when working the textured rows. This gives the top a really fun and eye-catching effect. Is it just me, or are you ready to party after seeing this stunning top?

If you would love to create contrast ridges with a different color instead, simply work the final Knit round prior to the purl ridge in your contrast color. Proceed to knit your three-row purl ridge using your contrast color and finish it off by working the first Knit round following the ridge in your main color.

Other ideas we’d love to see knit up:

1. Eyelets

Looking for a more summery feel? Why not knit your purl ridges with eyelets? Since there is a knit round placed between each purl round, you would achieve this by working a “YO, K2tog” sequence all the way around.

As with the “purl-less” modification, keep in mind that this might affect your row gauge and therefore your raglan depth.

2. Texture between the purl ridges

Looking for even more texture? You might choose to work a series of 3x3, or another similarly large number count, rib between each of the purl ridges. Opting for a bold rib will ensure that you achieve maximum texture, without affecting the overall gauge as the rib will flatten out during the blocking process.

3. Play with length and shaping

Since this pattern is written for both short and long sleeves, you can always follow the instructions for the long sleeves to taper them but ultimately shorten them to ¾-length should you wish for a more transitional piece.

You can also choose to omit shaping in either the body (for a more classic tee fit) or the sleeves (for wide, bell sleeves).

4.  Play with density of gauge

Due to its relatively open gauge for fingering weight yarn, at 6 sts to the inch, the Relax Tee can be knit up for colder weather. Aimee knit up a sport weight version using a woolen spun handspun yarn (that she processed from a fleece named Millie!) for a true sweatshirty Relax that will keep her warm through the winter. 

The Relax Tee gives you perfect customizable options.

Whether you choose to play with the yarn you use or follow one of the above examples, this pattern is so versatile that you can truly customize it to make it your own.

The Relax Tee is a best seller here at Aimee Sher Makes, and I hope this has inspired you to make your own this fall, whether it's your 1st, 2nd, or 4th!