If you are looking for a free knit baby summer tee pattern that is lightweight, practical, and adorable for warm weather, the Baby Deborah Tee is a perfect project to cast on next.
This free sweater knitting pattern features a top-down raglan construction with a delicate eyelet panel running down the center back for just the right amount of detail. It is worked seamlessly from the top down, which means no seaming at the end and easy length customization while you knit. The sizing includes newborn through active toddler sizes, making it a versatile staple for handmade baby wardrobes.
Whether you need a polished handmade baby shower gift or simply want a lightweight knit for your own little one, this free knit baby summer tee pattern is designed to be both practical and pretty. The raglan shaping keeps the fit comfortable while the breathable yarn makes it ideal for spring and summer wear.
The clean stockinette body keeps this project approachable, while the eyelet back panel adds enough interest to keep things fun without overwhelming the knitting. It is one of those patterns that looks polished and detailed while still being simple enough to enjoy from start to finish.
Because it is worked from the top down, this tee is also easy to adjust if your little one is between sizes or growing faster than expected. You can simply add length to the body before binding off for extra wear time.
What Materials Do You Need for This Free Knit Baby Summer Tee Pattern?
For this free knit baby summer tee pattern, I used KnitPicks Samia (Affiliate Link) because it creates a soft, breathable fabric with beautiful drape that works wonderfully for warm-weather garments. The silk-blend feel gives this tee a polished finish while still being comfortable enough for babies and toddlers to wear all day.
You will also need:
I especially love using Samia for baby garments because it keeps the fabric lightweight without feeling flimsy. Since summer knits can easily become too heavy, choosing the right yarn makes a huge difference in the final result.
If you substitute yarn, look for something with similar drape and a lightweight fiber content so the finished tee keeps that airy summer feel. A stiff cotton or heavy wool would completely change the look of the garment.
How Is This Baby Summer Tee Knit?
This free knit baby summer tee pattern is worked from the top down in one piece using raglan increases to shape the yoke. Once the yoke is complete, the sleeve stitches are separated and held while the body is finished in the round.
The standout design feature is the eyelet panel that runs down the center back, adding texture and visual interest without complicating the overall knitting process. It is a simple detail that makes the finished tee feel extra special.
Because the pattern is knit top down, you can easily try it on as you go or adjust body length for taller babies and toddlers. That flexibility makes this an especially practical garment pattern for fast-growing little ones.
The straightforward construction also makes this a great stepping stone for knitters wanting to branch into baby garments without tackling complicated finishing techniques. If you can knit, purl, increase, and work basic eyelets, you can make this tee.
Looking for More Lightweight Knit Tee Patterns?
If you love this free knit baby summer tee pattern, here are a few more garment patterns you may enjoy:
These patterns all coordinate beautifully if you enjoy creating matching family wardrobes or simply love knitting garments with similar styling. Several of them feature the same polished, wearable look with lightweight yarns and classic silhouettes.
Whether you want to knit for babies, older kids, or yourself, this collection gives you plenty of options to keep the summer knitting momentum going.
The Baby Deborah Tee fits right into that lineup as the smallest and sweetest version, making it perfect for sibling matching sets or mommy-and-me wardrobe planning. If you love finding ways to reuse favorite stitch patterns and silhouettes across sizes, this set is especially fun.
Baby Deborah Tee Pattern
Size: 0-3m, 3-6m (6-12m, 12m) 18m, 24m
Materials: Approximately 2, 2 (3, 3) 3, 3 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: 41, 44 (47, 50) 52, 54 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
NECK
Cast on 52, 54 (54, 58) 58, 60 sts in using larger needles
Join in the round
SET-UP ROUND
Purl 2 (front), pm,
Purl 6 (sleeve), pm,
Purl 8, 9 (9, 9) 9, 10 (back) pm,
Purl 20, 20 (20, 24) 24, 24 (Lace Panel), pm,
Purl 8, 9 (9, 9) 9, 10 (back) pm,
Purl 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/row – [k1, m1l, work to 1 st before marker, m1r, k1, sm] repeat across
Work raglan increases as described above on every round/row 6, 4 (8, 4) 6, 4 times, then every other round 12,15 (14, 18) 18, 20 times.
NECK SHAPING
Stitches are increased at the beginning and end of each row to shape the front neck.
Start front neck shaping after working 2, 2 (4, 4) 4, 3 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.
Work 1 more row.
Cast on 1 st at each end of front neck every following 4, 4 (4, 3) 3, 4 rows. Cast on 2 sts at each end of front neck every following 1, 1 (1, 2) 2, 2 rows. Cast on 3, 3 (3, 4) 4, 3 sts at each end of next row.
Cast on 5, 6 (6, 6) 6, 7 sts at each end of next row.
Jon in the round
STITCH COUNT CHECK
Total stitches: 228, 240 (264, 272) 288, 292
Front/Back: 72, 76 (82, 86) 90, 92
Sleeve: 42, 44 (50, 50) 54, 54
DIVIDE FOR BODY AND SLEEVES
Work across 36, 38 (41, 43) 45, 46 front stitches, remove marker, place 42, 44 (50, 50) 54, 54 sleeve stitches on stitch holder,
cast on 8, 8 (10, 10) 10, 8 sts, remove marker,
work across 72, 76 (82, 86) 90, 92 back stitches, remove marker, place 42, 44 (50, 50) 54, 54 sleeve stitches on stitch holder,
cast on 8, 8 (10, 10) 10, 8 sts,
Work across remaining 36, 38 (41, 43) 45, 46 front stitches.
[160, 168 (184, 192) 200, 200 sts]
BODY
Continue in pattern as established for 12, 13 (15.5, 17.5) 19, 20.5 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 sts from underarm,
work the 42, 44 (50, 50) 54, 54 sts from stitch holder,
pick up and knit 5 sts from underarm, pm.
[52, 54 (60, 60) 64, 64 sts]
Knit 1, 2 (3,1) 1, 3 rounds.
Next round – decrease 1 stich at each side of marker.
Then decrease each side of marker after working 0, 1 (1, 4) 2, 6 rounds 1, 1 (2, 1) 3, 1 times to 48, 50 (54, 56) 58, 60 sts.
Knit 4 more rounds.
Change to smaller needle.
Work in k1p1 ribbing for 2cms.
Bind off in pattern.
NECK
With right side facing, using smaller needle (smaller size might require dpn), beginning at the back left raglan, pick up and knit:
6 sts from left sleeve,
12, 12 (14, 14) 14, 14 sts down left front,
10, 12 (12, 12) 12, 14 sts along center front,
12, 12 (14, 14) 14, 14 sts up right front,
6 sts, from right sleeve,
36, 38 (38, 42) 42, 44 sts from back.
[82, 86 (90, 94) 94, 98 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
If you make one, I would love to hear what yarn color you choose—leave me a comment below and tell me who you are knitting this for!
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