Finally! I had been wanting to remake my very first design, Textures Tee, for what feels like five-ever. The new and improved tee is size inclusive and is now available in 8 sizes (the original only had 3 grouped sizes)!!
AND it features tons of options for customization. Think of it like a “choose your own adventure” crochet pattern. You can read about the different options in the pattern details section below!
Disclosure: some of the links in this post are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase I will earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
Inspiration & Creation
I had a fun idea of creating a tee that was built in multiple directions and featured a variety of stitch patterns. After some sketching, I decided on vertical and horizontal rows of alternating textures.
Next up was finding the right stitches. I knew that I wanted to use a crochet lace pattern that was open and airy, then create a strong contrast with solid rows of single crochet. For some added texture, I decided to add a sprinkle of front loop only single crochet as well.
Sketching was definitely the easy part! After choosing the stitches, it was time to try all my ideas out with the yarn. Sometimes, everything just works out on the first go. But with this tee, it was a LOT of trial and error!
The original Textures Tee took something like 4 or 5 tries before I could get the multi-directional rows to work. Of course, v2 was a little easier because I already knew what I was getting into. It still took 2 tries for each the front and back panel to come up with something that would work across eight sizes.
The biggest challenge was figuring out how to include single & double sections of lace keeping the right side vs. wrong side uniform. It was also very tricky to make the neckline decreases & increases work!
The last step in creation was writing up the pattern for my own size, and grading it for all the other sizes. It was anything but straightforward due to the alternating stitch patterns. Normally, sizing is based on 4 – inch increments, but that was not enough to fit the pattern repeat for the Textures Tee. I was able to work it out in 5 – inch increments so that there are individual sizes rather than grouped. (grouped sizing is like XS/S, M/L, XL/2X, and so on)
Shop the Textures Tee v2 Crochet Pattern
The Testing Process
Because Textures Tee v2 is sort of like a “choose your own adventure” pattern, I took quite a few testers per size to be sure I had feedback for each option. It is a lot of fun to have a large testing group! Although, with this test, I confused nearly everyone with the layout of the different options. X_x
This one wins the award for most edits needed!!! Eeek.
But, that’s what testing is for… The testers gave amazing suggestions and really helped me figure out how to reorganize things to make the pattern WAY more user-friendly.
SHOUT-OUT TO PATTERN TESTERS… couldn’t do it without ya!
Pattern Details
Sizing:
Textures Tee v2 is unique in construction and sizing due to the variety of stitch patterns used. The sizing is still based on the Craft Yarn Council Standards, however the ranges have been slightly modified. Sizes are based on 5- inch increments rather than 4- inch.
The recommended ease is between 0-5 inches. The sample was made in a size 3, with 2 inches of positive ease.
1 (fits 28-32″)
2 (fits 33-37″)
3 (fits 38-42″)
4 (fits 43-47″)
5 (fits 48-52″)
6 (fits 53-58″)
7 (fits 59-63″)
8 (fits 63-68″)
Estimated Yardage:
480, 600, 750, 850, 975, 1,100, 1,300, 1,400 yards
You can customize the:
- overall length
- individualize the length of each segment (vertical section & horizontal section)
- shoulder fit
- drop shoulder for sizes 1-8
- modified drop shoulder is an option for sizes 3-8
- modified drop shoulder reduces extra fabric around the shoulders and is a good option if your shoulders are narrow in proportion to your bust measurement
- waist shaping
- sleeve length
Yarn:
Medium, Worsted Weight 4. I used Lion Brand ZZ Twist
You could also use a DK, Light Worsted Weight 3 if you can meet gauge.
Hook:
6.0mm crochet hook or whichever size you can match gauge with
Shop the Textures Tee v2 Crochet Pattern
With the help of my amazing testers, I was able to take a complicated idea and make it into a fun and simple pattern. I hope that you will check it out and make your own Textures Tee v2.
This pattern is also available for purchase HERE on Ravelry.
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