If you’re on the hunt for the perfect free knit summer tee pattern, look no further! The Adult Deborah Tee is the grown-up version of my Baby Deborah Tee, designed for an easy, breezy summer style.

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The Quest for the Perfect Knit Summer Tee

For years, I searched for a summer sweater that checked all the boxes—lightweight, breathable, stylish, and flattering. I’d find one with a cute design, but the fit would be all wrong. Or I’d find one that fit well but had no personality. Eventually, I realized the only way to get exactly what I wanted was to design it myself!

And that’s how the Adult Deborah Tee was born—a free knit summer tee pattern that’s simple yet stylish, perfect for warm-weather wear, and ideal for a mommy-and-me matching set with the Baby Deborah Tee.

The Yarn: KnitPicks Samia (Affiliate Link)

Choosing the right yarn was crucial. I wanted something soft, breathable, and luxurious but still easy to knit with. Enter KnitPicks Samia (affiliate link)—a lightweight silk blend that feels amazing against the skin and drapes beautifully. This yarn keeps you cool in the heat, making it the perfect choice for a free knit summer tee pattern that you’ll actually want to wear all season long.

The Eyelet Dilemma (Solved!)

One of my biggest concerns was the eyelet pattern on the back. Would it be too open? Would I need to wear an extra layer underneath? Because let’s be real—no one wants to wear layers in the summer! Luckily, the eyelets are just decorative enough to add interest without being see-through, so there’s no need for extra coverage. Just throw on your Adult Deborah Tee and go!

What Makes This Free Knit Summer Tee Pattern So Great?

1. Lightweight & Breathable – Thanks to KnitPicks Samia (affiliate link), this tee is airy and comfortable.
2. Simple Construction – Designed with easy shaping, minimal seaming, and a relaxing stitch pattern.
3. Versatile Fit – Slightly boxy but not oversized, with just the right amount of ease.
4. Quick to Knit – Because sometimes we want that instant gratification project!
5. Mommy & Me Set – Match your little one with the Baby Deborah Tee!

How to Style Your Knit Summer Tee

The Adult Deborah Tee is the kind of piece that works with everything. Here are some ways I love to wear mine:

• Casual Chic – Throw it over a tank with your favorite jeans and sandals.
• Dressed Up – Pair it with a maxi skirt and statement jewelry for an effortless evening look.
• Beach Day Ready – Wear it over a swimsuit as a stylish cover-up.
• Layered Look – In cooler weather, wear it over a fitted long-sleeve tee for a transitional piece.

Knitting This Free Knit Summer Tee Pattern

This free knit summer tee pattern is beginner-friendly and fun to make. If you’ve never knit a garment before, this is a great place to start! The construction is simple, and the eyelet details keep it interesting without being too challenging.

You’ll need:

• KnitPicks Samia (affiliate link) – The perfect yarn for a summer tee!
• Circular needles (size recommended in pattern)
• Stitch markers
• Tapestry needle for weaving in ends

Why You’ll Love This Free Knit Summer Tee Pattern

The Adult Deborah Tee isn’t just another summer knit—it’s a go-to wardrobe staple that you’ll reach for over and over. Whether you’re knitting for yourself or making matching tees for you and your little one, this pattern is a must-try.

So what are you waiting for? Grab your KnitPicks Samia (affiliate link), download the free knit summer tee pattern, and start knitting today!

Materials and Info

Size: XS, S (M, L) XL, 2X (3X, 4X)

Materials: Approximately 6, 7 (7, 8) 8, 9 (10, 12) balls of KnitPicks Samia (50g/188y), needle, stitch markers

Needle Size: 1(US) 2.5mm & 2(US) 3mm straight and dpn

Gauge (tension): 32sts & 36 rows to make 10cm square, using size 2(US) 3mm needles

Chest Measurement: 74, 78 (82, 90) 98, 107 (119, 131) cm

METHOD

This pattern is a top-down raglan that is worked in the round with 10cm of ease.

Deborah Lace Stitch Patten

In the Round

Rounds 1-3 – knit across

Round 4 – [yo, k1, K2tog, k1] repeat [to] across

Rounds 5-7 – knit across

Round 8 – [k2tog, k1, yo, k1] repeat [to] across

Worked Flat

Row 1 – purl across

Row 2 – knit across

Row 3 – purl across

Row 4 – [yo, k1, K2tog, k1] repeat [to] across

Row 5 – purl across

Row 6 – knit across

Row 7 – purl across

Row 8 – [k2tog, k1, yo, k1] repeat [to] across

Adult Deborah Tee Pattern

NECK

Cast on 82, 84 (82, 80) 88, 86 (92, 96) sts in using larger needles

Join in the round

SET-UP ROUND

Purl 2 (front), pm,

Purl 10, 10 (8, 6) 8, 6, (6, 6) (sleeve), pm,

Purl 11, 12 (13, 14) 14, 15 (16, 20) (back), pm,

Purl 36, 36 (36, 36) 40, 40 (40, 40) (lace panel), pm

Purl 11, 12 (13,14) 14, 15 (16, 20) back), pm

Purl 10, 10 (8, 6) 8, 6 (6, 6) (sleeve), pm,

Purl 2 (front)

Begin Deborah Lace Stitch pattern now within marked panel now. Set up row counts as row 1.

RAGLAN SHAPING

Raglan shaping and neck shaping are worked AT THE SAME TIME so be sure to read both Raglan Shaping and Neck Shaping sections before continuing.

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 – [k1, m1l, work to 1 st before marker, m1r, k1, sm] repeat across

Work raglan increases as described above on every round/row 0, 0 (0, 8) 12, 24 (32, 42) then every other round/row 33, 34 (36, 33) 33, 28 (26, 24) times.

Work 3, 3 (1, 0) 0, 0 (0, 0) 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, 2 (4, 6) 6, 6 (5, 7) rows after the set-up row:

Cast on 1st at each end of front neck.

Work 3 more rows without neckline shaping.

Cast on 1 st at each end of front neck every following 1, 2 (1, 1) 2, 2 (3, 3) rows.

Work 1 more row.

Cast on 1 st at each end of front neck every following 6, 7 (7, 6) 8, 8 (9, 9) rows.

Cast on 2 sts at each end of front neck every following 2, 2 (2, 3) 3, 3 (3, 3) rows.

Cast on 5, 5 (5, 5) 4, 5 (5, 6) sts at each end of next row.

Cast on 9, 9 (10, 10) 11, 11 (12, 13) sts at each end of next row.

Jon in the round

STITCH COUNT CHECK

Total stitches: 400, 412 (428, 468) 512, 568 (628, 700)

Front/Back: 124, 128 (134, 146) 158, 174 (192, 212)

Sleeve: 76, 78 (80, 88) 98, 110 (122, 138)

DIVIDE FOR BODY AND SLEEVES

Work across 62, 64 (67, 73) 79, 87 (96, 106) front stitches, remove raglan marker,

place 76, 78 (80, 88) 98, 110 (122, 138) sleeve stitches on stitch holder,

cast on 8, 10 (12, 12) 12, 12 (12, 12) sts, remove raglan marker,

work across 124, 128 (134, 146) 158, 174 (192, 138) back stitches, remove raglan marker,

place 76, 78 (80, 88) 98, 110 (122, 138) sleeve stitches on stitch holder,

cast on 8, 10 (12, 12) 12,12 (12, 12) sts, remove, raglan marker,

Work across remaining 62, 64 (67, 73) 79, 87 (96, 106) front stitches.

[264, 276 (292, 316) 340, 372 (412, 448) sts]

BODY

Continue in pattern as established for 33 cms

Switch to smaller needles.

Work in k1p1 ribbing for 2cms

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 5, 6 (7, 7) 7, 7 (7, 7) sts from underarm,

work the 76, 78 (80, 88) 98, 110 (122, 138) sts from stitch holder,

pick up and knit 5, 6 (7, 7) 7, 7, (7, 7)sts from underarm, pm.

[86, 90 (94, 102) 112, 124 (136, 152) sts]

Knit 5, 5 (5, 5) 5, 5 (7, 7) rounds.

Next round – decrease 1 stich at each side of marker on next then every following 6th, 0 (0, 10th) 6th, 6th (6th, 4th) rounds 2, 0 (0, 1) 3, 1 (1, 5) times. 80, 88 (92, 98) 104,120 (132, 140) sts

Then decrease each side of marker every following 4, 8 (8, 8) 4, 4 (4, 2) rounds 3, 3 (3, 2)  2, 5 (5, 3) times to 74, 82 (86, 94) 100, 110 (122, 134) sts.

Knit 4 more rounds.

Change to smaller needle.

Work in k1p1 ribbing for 1.5 cms.

Bind off in pattern.

NECK

With right side facing, using smaller needle, beginning at the back left raglan, pick up and knit:

10, 10 (8, 6) 8, 6 (6, 6) sts from left sleeve,

17, 17 (19, 20) 22, 22 (24, 25) sts down left front,

18, 18 (20, 20) 22, 22 (24, 26) sts along center front,

17, 17 (19, 20) 22, 22 (24, 25) sts up right front,

10, 10 (8, 6) 8, 6 (6, 6) sts, from right sleeve,

58, 60 (62, 64) 68, 70 (76, 80) sts from back.

[130, 132 (136, 136) 150, 148 (160, 168) sts]

Join in the round and place beginning of round marker.

Work for 2cms.

Bind off in pattern.

FINISHING

Weave in all ends and block according.

Abbreviations

K – knit                                                   

P – purl

PM – place marker                                    

SM – slip marker

STS – stitches

YO – yarn over

K2tog -knit 2 stitches together                 

SSK – slip, slip, knit the slipped sts together

M1R – Insert the left needle under the strand that runs between two stitches from back to front, then knit this strand

M1L – Insert the left needle under the strand that runs between two stitches from front to back, then knit this strand through the back loop

Download Adult Deborah Tee PDF

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