Knit the Tolsta Tee 3 Ways

May 24th 2025

We'd like to introduce you to The Tolsta Tee. This unsuspecting little shirt is an ideal knit canvas for all of your creative ideas. Tolsta is a seamless, top down basic raglan tee with a variety of customizable options - and they're all so fabulous, we highly doubt you'll want to knit just one version! The pattern, designed by Rebecca Clow, includes instructions for the basic tee, plus an extra document with resources on how to customize Tolsta to your liking. While this tee was originally designed in a DK weight, the pattern now includes additional instructions for a fingering weight version, as well as long sleeves and optional bust shaping.

The Basic Tolsta Tee

If you're looking for a quintessential wardrobe staple, the basic version is for you! This simple yet stunning top is knit in stockinette, and really lets your yarn choice shine. The basic Tolsta is a great choice for a first garment project, and the instructions have lots of tips and tricks for achieving your desired fit.

We recommend casting on your basic Tolsta Tee in Knitting for Olive Cotton Merino. This yarn is a heavenly blend of cotton and RWS certified Merino wool, which provides elasticity and breathable qualities to your warm weather projects. Knitting for Olive Merino wool comes from sheep where mulesing isn’t practiced and is certified Oeko-Tex Standard 100. RWS is short for Responsible Wool Standard and the certification ensures that both animals, farmers and the environment is treated respectfully.

You can hold this yarn single if you're planning on knitting the fingering weight version of Tolsta, or hold it double if you're opting for the DK weight version.

Basic Tolsta Tees knit in Knitting for Olive yarn by Ravelry users hannahrosesymons, BrittsKnits97 and libbyanthony.

Shop Cotton Merino

The Eyelet Tolsta Tee

One variation of the Tolsta Tee is to add texture to the fabric - and we love the way it looks with eyelets! We recommend knitting the eyelet version of this tee with Luma, a lovely blend of merino wool, organic cotton, linen and silk. This stunning DK weight yarn from The Fibre Co. has a touch of sheen and excellent drape - making it a perfect choice for really making those eyelets open up.

Eyelet Tolsta Tees knit in The Fibre Co. Luma by Ravelry users snoringcats, heatherkarp, and Warmvanillamarch.

Shop The Fibre Co. Luma

The Striped Tolsta Tee

The striped version of the Tolsta Tee was what first caught our attention. We love the classic look of the 2 color versions featured here, but you can really stripe your Tolsta with as many colors as you like! We recommend knitting the striped version of this tee in Rowan Summerlite DK.

Rowan Summerlite DK yarn is 100% cotton with a beautiful soft, matte finish. It comes in a stunning selection of colors from soft pastels to jewel like brights, and everything in between. We currently have 25 hues of Summerlite DK in stock, so you're sure to find something you love.