Due to the amount of customizable details within this pattern, I have split it into three documents:
Front-end information, tutorials, and written instructions;
Colorwork charts arranged for printing;
Colorwork charts arranged for digital use.

My very first passion was for dinosaurs. I had an imaginary Saltopus friend that followed me around, and in first grade I was very proud to say that I wanted to be a paleontologist when I grew up (I’m sure my parents were just proud I could even pronounce the word at 6 years old). Now, eons later, I’ve excavated a knit top that brings together my first love and current passion for knitting into a unisex tee fit for hatchlings of all ages!

This fingering weight tee is knit top-down in the round and features two collar circumference options, raglan increases, and a stranded colorwork chest wrap. The split hem at the lower body is worked flat with a longer back panel and shorter front panel, and sleeves are added seamlessly at the end.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

Needles
US2 (2.75 mm) circular needles (or size needed to obtain gauge). Varying cable lengths are recommended to accommodate yoke, body, and sleeve circumferences.

Circular needles 1 size smaller for collar section only.

(Optional) Set of 4 or 5 double pointed needles in same size as circular needles for small circumference knitting (sleeves).

(Optional but encouraged) Circular needles up to 1 size larger for colorwork section only (to maintain gauge).

Notions
Tapestry needle
5 - 7 Stitch markers (or more if desired for large colorwork charts)
3 Stitch holders or waste yarn
(Optional) Row counter

YARN & YARDAGE

Yarn
Two contrasting colors in fingering weight yarn. Sizes for this garment are shown in the pattern as: 1 (2, 3, 4, 5)6, 7, 8, 9

Sample uses Yarnaceous Fibers Salta Fingering base (85% superwash merino wool and 15% nylon; 437 yd / 400 m per 100 g) using colorway La Brea Tar Pits (dark gray) as main color and Morganite (pink) as contrast color. https://yarnaceousfibers.com/

Yardage for Short Sleeves (Includes 10% Excess)
MC: 308 (324, 340, 394, 486)560, 698, 986, 1080 yards / 282 (296, 311, 360, 444)512, 638, 902, 991 meters

CC: 111 (118, 124, 137, 149) 162, 175, 187, 211 yards / 102 (108, 114, 125, 136)150, 160, 171, 193 meters

If making this garment with longer sleeves, add an additional 20% - 30% to your total MC quantity and an additional 5% to your total CC length.

SIZING & GAUGE

Gauge
32 stitches x 40 rows = 4” / 10 cm after blocking in stockinette worked in the round.

Because I knit on the tight side, I have included a gauge hack for anyone who has difficulty achieving this gauge.

Sizing
Finished garment chest circumference:
18 (19, 20, 22, 24)26, 28, 30, 34 inches / 45.5 (48.5, 51, 56, 61)66, 71, 76, 86.5 cm

Yoke depth:
4.5 (4.5, 4.5, 5.5, 6)6.5, 7, 7.5, 8.5 inches / 11.5 (11.5, 11.5, 14, 15)16.5, 18, 19, 21.5 cm

Total body length from center front (customizable):
10.5 (11, 11.5, 13.5, 15(16.5, 18, 19.5, 20.5 inches / 26.5 (28, 29, 34.5, 38)42, 45.5, 49.5, 52 cm

Sleeve length (customizable):
2 inches / 5 cm

Recommended positive ease is 1” - 4” / 2.5 - 10 cm at the chest based on personal preference.

Body and sleeve length are customizable, as is the treatment of the hem at the bottom of the tee.

If sharing your progress and finished piece on Instagram or other social networks, please use the hashtag #FossilFrenzyTeeJr so I can admire your beautiful work! Happy knitting, friend!