The Bright Axis tee is now available as a stand alone pattern! Get this pattern for 40% OFF until July 21, 2025 (11:59pm ET). Use the coupon code BRIGHT at checkout.

You can also get this pattern as part of my book, Knit Happy with Self-Striping Yarn.

Are you looking for this beautiful yarn? You can find it at Must Stash Yarn.

Are you looking for a way to make your self-striping yarn shine? Try the Bright Axis! Perfect for those special skeins of self-striping or faded yarns, the Bright Axis tee was designed to highlight your rainbow skeins.

The Bright Axis tee plays with the traditional drop shoulder construction by turning the yoke on its axis. Flattering vertical stripes stretch from shoulder to shoulder in this casual summer tee. Even though this little tee has huge impact, there isn’t a single complicated stitch in the entire pattern. Knitting bonus: This tee can be easily customized by using the “Getting the Right Fit” section. Perfect for long self-striping color sequences and dramatic color changes, this tee will be the project you want to grab every time you head out the door.

This pattern includes photo and video tutorials.

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CONSTRUCTION
This tee is knit seamlessly from the bottom up. The body is knit first in the round, then the front and back are divided and short rows are worked before the yoke to add shaping to the upper body. The rainbow yoke is then worked flat as an attached edging. The back and front yokes are worked separately and the shoulders are joined using mattress stitch (photo & video tutorial included in the pattern). Finally, the ribbed border is picked up and worked around the opening of the armholes.

SIZES
XS (S, M, L)(XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL)(5XL, 6XL, 7XL)

YARN
Fingering weight yarn, Must Stash Perfect Sock

Sample shown in “Charcoal” (MC) and “Kama” (CC)

Main Color (shown in grey): 505 (580, 645, 725)(790, 855, 955, 1045)(1135, 1225, 1320) yards / 460 (530, 590, 665)(720, 780, 875, 955)(1040, 1120, 1205) meters

Contrasting Color (shown in self-striping): 310 (360, 410, 460)(510, 600, 675, 740)(800, 875, 960) yards / 284 (329, 375, 421)(466, 549, 617, 677)(732, 800, 878) meters

NOTE: The main color yardage recommendations for the stand alone pattern have been updated from the original pattern in the book. See link below for book errata & updates.

FINISHED DIMENSIONS
Chest Circumference: 32 (36, 40, 44)(48, 52, 56, 60)(64, 68, 72) inches / 80 (90, 100, 110)(120, 130, 140, 150)(160, 170, 180) cm
Sleeve Circumference: 11 (11.75, 12, 13)(13.75, 15, 16, 17)(18, 19, 20) inches / 27.5 (29, 30, 32.5)(34.5, 37.5, 40, 42.5)(45, 47.5, 50) cm

NEEDLES
US 5 (3.75 mm) 32-inch (80-cm) circular needles (length as appropriate for your size), or as required to meet gauge

US 3 (3.25 mm) 32-inch (80-cm) circular needles (length as appropriate for your size), or as required to meet gauge

DPNs or needles for small circumference in the smaller size needles

GAUGE
24 stitches and 32 rounds = 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch on LARGER needles after blocking

TOOLS
1 stitch marker, Scissors, Tapestry needle, Scrap yarn, Tape measure

BOOK ERRATA & UPDATES
When I self-published the stand alone pattern (in 2025), I chose to make some minor updates to the original Bright Axis pattern found in my book. If you have the book, and would like the updates, you can find them below:
Knit Happy with Self-Striping Yarn Updates & Errata