Leija

“Leija” means “kite” in Finnish. The tee (pages xx–xx) is like an oversized square – boxy, cropped and roomy. It is knitted with a fluffy alpaca yarn for softness and worked easily in plain stockinette stitch. The double-knitted collar brings attention to the design and you can choose unusual buttons to accentuate its playful side or keep it minimal and geometric. **SIZES** 1 (2, 3, 4) (5, 6, 7, 8) Recommended ease: 10" / 25.5 cm of positive ease. **FINISHED MEASUREMENTS** Chest Circumference: 45.5 (49, 52.5, 56.75) (60.25, 64.75, 69, 72.5)" / 115.5 (124.5, 133.5, 144.5) (153.5, 164.5, 175.5, 184.5) cm. Armhole Depth: 11.75 (11.75, 12.5, 12.5) (13, 13, 13.5, 13.5)" / 30 (30, 32, 32) (33, 33, 34, 34) cm. Length from Underarm to Hem: 7" / 18 cm. Total Length (not incl Collar): 19 (19, 19.75, 19.75) (20, 20, 20.5, 20.5)" / 48 (48, 50, 50) (51, 51, 52, 52) cm. **MATERIALS** Yarn: 6 (7, 8, 8) (9, 9, 10, 10) skeins of Børstet Alpakka by Sandnes Garn (96% brushed alpaca, 4% nylon, 120 yds / 110 m – 50 g), in the colourway 3819 Spicy Orange. Or approx. 710 (762, 846, 909) (984, 1049, 1136, 1192) yds / 651 (699, 776, 834) (902, 961, 1041, 1093) m of a fluffy worsted-weight yarn. Alternative yarn suggestions are for example Fluff Alpaca by Lalouknits or Upcycled Suri Alpaca by Hobbii. Needles: Two US 5 / 3.75 mm at least 32" / 80 cm circular needles (for the body and collar) and a US 4 / 3.5 mm 32" / 80 cm circular needle (for the 3-Needle BO and ribbing). Notions: Removable stitch markers, stitch holder or contrasting waste yarn, 2 buttons or toggles 0.5" / 1 cm in diameter. **GAUGE** 18 sts x 26 rounds and rows to 4" / 10 cm on US 5 / 3.75 mm needles in St St, after blocking. **NOTES** This tee is worked from the top down, mostly in St St. The double-knitted collar is worked first, starting with Judy’s Magic CO. Then, the back neck is shaped and the rest of the back piece is worked flat until the underarms. The fronts are worked by picking up stitches at the shoulder seam and merging them gradually with the front part of the collar stitches. Then, the plackets are worked and bound off while the rest of the front is joined and worked flat until the underarms. Front and back are then joined at the underarms and worked in the round until the 1 x 1 Rib hem and the Italian Tubular BO. There is a short section in 1 x 1 Rib to finish the armholes, and the same BO.