If you are looking for a free child knit tee pattern that is lightweight, polished, and fun to knit, the Youth Deborah Tee is one of my favorite free sweater knitting patterns for warm-weather layering.
This sweet tee is worked as a top down seamless raglan, making it easy to try on as you knit and simple to customize for the perfect fit. The standout detail is the eyelet lace panel running down the center back, which adds just enough texture to keep the knitting interesting without making the project overly complicated. Written for sizes 3 years through 14 years, this pattern gives you plenty of room to knit matching tees for multiple kids.
Whether you need a handmade summer top for everyday wear, church, family photos, or layering under cardigans, this free child knit tee pattern creates a practical piece that still feels special. The seamless construction means no finishing work at the end besides weaving in your ends, which is always a win in my book.
This tee was designed to be wearable, classic, and easy to style with skirts, shorts, or jeans. It has enough detail to look polished while still being simple enough for knitters comfortable with basic garment construction.
What Materials Do You Need for This Free Child Knit Tee Pattern?
To knit this free child knit tee pattern, you will need:
I chose KnitPicks Samia for this design because it creates beautiful stitch definition while still feeling light and breathable for warmer weather. It gives the tee lovely drape without becoming too heavy, which is ideal for a child’s knit top.
The smaller needle is used for the ribbing to help create clean, structured edges, while the larger needle keeps the body fabric soft and flexible. Combined with the eyelet panel, the finished fabric feels polished and lightweight.
This yarn and needle combination gives the Youth Deborah Tee a crisp, refined look while still being comfortable enough for active kids to wear all day. It is one of those projects that looks detailed but is surprisingly wearable in real life.
How Is This Free Child Knit Tee Pattern Constructed?
This free child knit tee pattern is worked from the top down in one seamless piece. You will begin at the neckline, work raglan increases through the yoke, separate for sleeves, and then continue knitting the body in the round.
The eyelet lace panel is worked down the center back as you knit, creating a pretty focal point without requiring complicated shaping. Because the tee is knit top down, it is very easy to adjust body length if needed.
Top down raglan construction makes this an approachable garment project for knitters who want to branch into sweaters and tees but do not want to deal with seaming. The ability to try it on during knitting also helps ensure a better fit.
If you have knit a raglan before, this project will feel very straightforward. If not, it is still a beginner-friendly introduction to garment knitting thanks to the simple shaping and seamless construction.
Looking for More Knitting Patterns Like This One?
If you enjoy this free child knit tee pattern, here are a few more patterns you may love:
These patterns pair beautifully with the Youth Deborah Tee if you love building coordinated handmade wardrobes. The Deborah collection in particular makes it easy to create matching family sets with the same signature lace styling.
Whether you are knitting for siblings, planning mommy-and-me outfits, or simply love having multiple variations of a favorite construction style, these related patterns give you plenty of options.
The Youth Deborah Tee fits right into that collection with its classic shape and delicate lace detail. It is one of those timeless designs that works season after season.
Youth Deborah Tee Pattern
Size: 3, 4 (5, 6) 7, 8 (9, 10) 11, 12 (13, 14)
Materials: Approximately 4, 4 (4, 4) 5, 5 (5, 6) 6, 7 (7, 7) 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: 55, 57, (59, 61) 63, 66 (69, 72) 75, 78 (81, 84) 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 66, 62 (68, 64) 66, 68 (70, 72) 74, 74 (76, 78) sts in using larger needles Join in the round
SET-UP ROUND
Purl 2 (front), pm,
Purl 8, 6 (8, 6) 6, 6, (6, 6) 6, 6 (6, 6) (sleeve), pm,
Purl 11, 11 (12, 12) 11, 12 (13, 14) 13, 13 (14, 15) (back), pm,
Purl 24, 24 (24, 24) 28, 28 (28, 28) 32, 32 (32, 32) (lace panel), pm Purl 11, 11 (12,12) 11, 12 (13, 14) 13, 13 (14, 15) back), pm
Purl 8, 6 (8, 6) 6, 6 (6, 6) 6, 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 2, 4 (2, 4) 2, 2 (0, 2) 2, 4 (2, 2) then every other round/row 22, 22 (24, 24) 27, 27 (30, 30) 31, 31 (34, 35) times.
Work 0, 0 (0, 0) 0, 0 (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 1, 3 (2, 2) 2, 3 (3, 6) 5, 5 (6, 6) 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 each following 2 rows.
Work 1 more row.
Cast on 1 st at each end of front neck each following 4, 4 (5, 5) 5, 6 (6, 5) 6, 6 (7, 7) rows.
Cast on 2 sts at each end of front neck each following 2 rows.
Cast on 3, 3 (3, 3) 3, 3 (4, 5) 5, 5 (5, 5) sts at each end of next row. Cast on 7, 7 (7, 7) 8, 8 (8, 9) 9, 9 (9, 10) sts at each end of next row.
Jon in the round
STITCH COUNT CHECK
Total stitches: 300, 312 (320, 332) 336, 348 (360, 380) 392, 408 (420, 432) Front/Back: 94, 98 (100, 104) 106, 110 (114, 120) 124, 128 (132, 136) Sleeve: 56, 58 (60, 62) 62, 64 (66, 70) 72, 76 (78, 80)
DIVIDE FOR BODY AND SLEEVES
Work across 47, 49 (50, 52) 53, 55 (57, 60) 62, 64 (66, 68) front stitches, remove raglan marker,
place 56, 58 (60, 62) 62, 64 (66, 70) 72, 76 (78, 80) sleeve stitches on stitch holder, cast on 8, 8 (8, 8) 8, 10 (10, 10) 10, 10 (12, 12) sts, remove raglan marker, work across 94, 98 (100, 104) 106, 110 (114, 120) 124, 128 (132, 136) back stitches, remove raglan marker,
place 56, 58 (60, 62) 62, 64 (66, 70) 72, 76 (78, 80) sleeve stitches on stitch holder, cast on 8, 8 (8, 8) 8, 10 (10, 10) 10, 10 (12, 12) sts, remove, raglan marker, Work across remaining 47, 49 (50, 52) 53, 55 (57, 60) 62, 64 (66, 68) front stitches. [204, 212 (216, 224) 228, 240 (248, 260) 268, 276 (288, 296) sts]
BODY
Continue in pattern as established for 21.5, 22 (23.5, 25) 26.5, 27.5 (29, 30) 31.5, 32 (34, 35.5) 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, 5 (5, 5) 5, 6 (6, 6) 6, 6 (7, 7) sts from underarm, work the 56, 58 (60, 62) 62, 64 (66, 70) 72, 76 (78, 80) sts from stitch holder, pick up and knit 5, 5 (5, 5) 5, 6, (6, 6) 6, 6 (7, 7) sts from underarm, pm. [66, 68 (70, 72) 72, 76 (78, 82) 84, 88 (92, 94) sts]
Knit 1, 3 (3, 3) 3, 3 (3, 3) 3, 5 (3, 5) rounds.
Next round – decrease 1 stich at each side of marker on next then every following 0, 0 (6th, 0) 0, 8th (0, 6th) 10th, 0 (6th, 6th) rounds 0, 0 (1, 0) 0, 1 (0, 2) 1, 0 (2, 2) times. 64, 66 (66, 70) 70, 72 (76, 76) 80, 86 (86, 88) sts
Then decrease each side of marker every following 8th, 4th (4th, 6th) 14th, 6th (8th, 4th) 8th, 6th (4th, 4) rounds 1, 2 (1, 2) 1, 1 (2, 1) 1, 3 (2, 2) times to 62, 62 (64, 66) 68, 70 (72, 74) 78, 80 (82, 84) sts.
Knit 4 more rounds.
Change to smaller needle.
Work in k1p1 ribbing for 1, 1 (1.5, 1.5) 1.5, 1.5 (1.5, 1.5) 1.5, 1.5 (1.5, 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:
8, 6 (8, 6) 6, 6 (6, 6) 6, 6 (6, 6) sts from left sleeve,
14, 16 (16, 16) 16, 17 (17, 19) 19, 19 (20, 20) sts down left front, 14, 14 (14, 14) 16, 16 (16, 18) 18, 18 (18, 20) sts along center front, 14, 16 (16, 16) 16, 17 (17, 19) 19, 19 (20, 20) sts up right front, 8, 6 (8, 6) 6, 6 (6, 6) 6, 6 (6, 6) sts, from right sleeve,
46, 46 (48, 48) 50, 52 (54, 56) 58, 58 (60, 62) sts from back.
[104, 104 (110, 106) 110, 114 (116, 124) 126, 126 (130, 134) 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 color you choose or who you are knitting it for—leave a comment below and let me know!
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