The Bronte Tee knitting pattern is a modern, short-sleeve crew neck design that blends everyday comfort with elevated texture. Crafted with Lion Brand Yarn Cottino, this lightweight tee features a beautifully detailed stitch pattern that adds subtle interest while remaining easy to wear. Perfect for layering or standing on its own, the Bronte Tee is a versatile handmade wardrobe staple you’ll reach for again and again. Find the free version below, grab the PDF in my shop or treat yourself to the complete kit from Lion Brand Yarn.

Your perfect Summer tee is here!

If you’ve been in the mood to knit something you’ll actually wear on repeat, let me introduce you to the Bronte Tee. I designed this one with warmer days in mind and used Lion Brand Yarn Cottino, which has the softest, breeziest feel and gives the fabric such a pretty, easy drape. It’s lightweight without feeling flimsy, and it makes this tee just as comfortable as it is wearable.

The stitch pattern is simple but so satisfying. It has this really beautiful texture that keeps things interesting while you’re knitting, but it’s still easy to settle into once you get going. It’s the kind of project you can pick up at the end of the day and just enjoy without having to think too hard.

And I have to tell you… there was a moment where I almost added a pocket to the front. When I first set out designing this tee I thought for sure it would have a pocket on the front, but once I finished the main body I started to question that idea. I asked over on Instagram, and the response was very passionate…no pocket. 😂 And honestly, you all were right. Keeping it simple lets the texture shine and gives the Bronte Tee that clean, everyday look that goes with everything.

But, for those of you who said yes to the pocket, it can easily be added anytime. I had worked up a simple stockinette stitch pocket that was 25sts and 34 rows. I’m definitely keeping the pocket idea in mind for another tee design I hope to get to later this summer. 😉

A little note about making adjustments.

Nothing is worse then finishing a project and it not having the fit you love. Luckily the Bronte is easy to adjust.

If you want to adjust the width a bit, you’ll just need to make sure you have a multiple of 4 sts when you begin.

If you want to adjust the overall length you can add or subtract rows just before the neckline shaping. Just make sure you are ending on the row repeat listed in the pattern.

Want shorter or even longer sleeves? You can easily add rows for length or even eliminate the sleeves completely and just work the ribbing directly onto the armhole. You’ll just need to seam up the sides first if you want to do that.

There are so many ways you could customize this tee to make it your own. And if you ever get stuck along the way or want some extra help I’m just an email or message away. 😊

Let’s get to work on your new Bronte Tee!

The Bronte Tee Knitting Pattern

Materials:

1083-1927 yards (4-7 skeins) of Lion Brand Cottino (3.5oz/100g; 296yd/271m; 55%cotton, 45%superwash merino wool) Shown in the color Dusk

24” circular US size 6(4mm) knitting needles

stitch markers

Tapestry needle, scissors, tape measure

Notes:

1.Pattern is made in four pieces (back, front, sleeves), and then seamed together. The neckline ribbing is worked directly onto the tee.

2.Pattern is written in sizes XS(S, M, L, XL, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X). It is recommended to go through and highlight your size in all sections.

Abbreviations:

CO- cast on

st(s)- stitch(es)

K- knit

P- purl

C1L- cross one left

C1R- cross one right

K2tog- knit two stitches together

P2tog- purl two stitches together

SSK- slip slip knit

SSP- slip slip purl

BO- bind off

Gauge:

22 sts X 30 rows = 4” X 4” in main pattern stitch

CO 24 sts and then use Rows 1-12 of back panel to work up 36 rows. Block and measure for gauge.

Size:

XS: fits bust 28-30” (approx. 1083 yards/4 skeins)

S: fits bust 32-34” (approx. 1170 yards/4 skeins)

M: fits bust 36-38” (approx. 1287 yards/5 skeins)

L: fits bust 40-42” (approx. 1393 yards/5 skeins)

XL: fits bust 44-46” (approx. 1512 yards/6 skeins)

2X: fits bust 48-50” (approx. 1590 yards/6 skeins)

3X: fits bust 52-54” (approx. 1707 yards/6 skeins)

4X: fits bust 56-58” (approx. 1810 yards/7 skeins)

5X: fits bust 60-62” (approx. 1927 yards/7 skeins)

Video Tutorial:

Definitely check this out so you can see the pattern stitch in action.

Pattern:

Back Panel

CO 104(112, 124, 136, 148, 156, 168, 180, 192)

Ribbing:

Rows 1-13: *K2, P2, repeat from * across, turn.

Main Body:

Row 1: C1L, C1R, repeat from * across, turn.

Row 2: K1, P2, *K2, P2, repeat from * until 1 st remains, K1, turn.

Row 3: K all sts across, turn.

Rows 4-5: repeat Rows 3-4.

Row 6: P all sts across, turn.

Row 7: C1R, C1L, repeat from * across, turn.

Row 8: P1, K2, *P2, K2, repeat from * until 1 st remains, P1, turn.

Row 9: K all sts across, turn.

Rows 10-11: repeat Rows 8-9.

Row 12: P all sts across, turn.

Rows 13-163: repeat Rows 1-12.

We will now be creating the back neckline with an initial BO Row and then working the right and left sides separately while decreasing along the neckline edge.

Place locking stitch markers after the 32nd(36th, 40, 48th 52nd, 56th, 64th, 68th, 76th) stitch on each side.

Initial BO Row: K until st before marker, kfb into st before marker, then BO every st until you hit the next marker. Remove marker and BO one more st (40, 40, 44, 40, 44, 44, 40, 44, 40 sts bound off), K across.

We will now work up the left side of the tee with the right side stitches still on the cord.

GET THE KIT FROM LION BRAND

Back Left Side

Row 1: P all sts across, turn. (32(36, 40, 48, 52, 56, 64, 68, 76)

Row 2: C1R, C1L, repeat from * across, turn. (32(36, 40, 48, 52, 56, 64, 68, 76)

Row 3: P1, K2, *P2, K2, repeat from * until 5 st remain, P5, turn. (32(36, 40, 48, 52, 56, 64, 68, 76)

Row 4: K1, SSK, K across, turn. (31(35, 39, 47, 51, 55, 63, 67, 75)

Row 5: P1, K2, *P2, K2, repeat from * until 4 st remain, P4, turn. (31(35, 39, 47, 51, 55, 63, 67, 75)

Row 6: K1, SSK, K across, turn. (30(34, 38, 46, 50, 54, 62, 66, 74)

Row 7: P across until 5 sts remain, SSP twice, P1, turn. (28(32, 36, 44, 48, 52, 60, 64, 72)

Row 8: C1L, C1R, repeat from * across, turn. (28(32, 36, 44, 48, 52, 60, 64, 72)

Row 9: K1, P2, *K2, P2, repeat from * until 1 st remains, K1, turn. (28(32, 36, 44, 48, 52, 60, 64, 72)

Row 10: K all sts across, turn. (28(32, 36, 44, 48, 52, 60, 64, 72)

Rows 11-12: repeat Rows 27-28. (28(32, 36, 44, 48, 52, 60, 64, 72)

BO all sts purl wise.

Back Right Side

With WS facing, attach yarn to right side of panel.

Row 1: P all sts across, turn. (32(36, 40, 48, 52, 56, 64, 68, 76)

Row 2: C1R, C1L, repeat from * across, turn. (32(36, 40, 48, 52, 56, 64, 68, 76)

Row 3: P5, K2, *P2, K2, repeat from * until 1 st remains, P1, turn. (32(36, 40, 48, 52, 56, 64, 68, 76)

Row 4: K across until 3 sts remain, K2tog, K1, turn. (31(35, 39, 47, 51, 55, 63, 67, 75)

Row 5: P4, K2, *P2, K2, repeat from * until 1 st remains, P1, turn. (31(35, 39, 47, 51, 55, 63, 67, 75)

Row 6: K across until 3 sts remain, K2tog, K1, turn. (30(34, 38, 46, 50, 54, 62, 66, 74)

Row 7: P1, P2tog twice, P across, turn. (28(32, 36, 44, 48, 52, 60, 64, 72)

Row 8: C1L, C1R, repeat from * across, turn. (28(32, 36, 44, 48, 52, 60, 64, 72)

Row 9: K1, P2, *K2, P2, repeat from * until 1 st remains, K1, turn. (28(32, 36, 44, 48, 52, 60, 64, 72)

Row 10: K all sts across, turn. (28(32, 36, 44, 48, 52, 60, 64, 72)

Rows 11-12: repeat Rows 27-28. (28(32, 36, 44, 48, 52, 60, 64, 72)

BO all sts purl wise.

Front Panel

CO 104(112, 124, 136, 148, 156, 168, 180, 192)

Ribbing:

Rows 1-13: *K2, P2, repeat from * across, turn.

Main Body:

Row 1: C1L, C1R, repeat from * across, turn.

Row 2: K1, P2, *K2, P2, repeat from * until 1 st remains, K1, turn.

Row 3: K all sts across, turn.

Rows 4-5: repeat Rows 3-4.

Row 6: P all sts across, turn.

Row 7: C1R, C1L, repeat from * across, turn.

Row 8: P1, K2, *P2, K2, repeat from * until 1 st remains, P1, turn.

Row 9: K all sts across, turn.

Rows 10-11: repeat Rows 8-9.

Row 12: P all sts across, turn.

Rows 13-138: repeat Rows 1-12.

Rows 139-142: repeat Rows 7-10.

We will now be creating the front neckline with an initial BO Row and then working the right and left sides separately while decreasing along the neckline edge.

Place locking stitch markers after the 40th(44th, 48th, 56th 60th, 64th, 72nd, 76th, 84th) stitch on each side.

Initial BO Row: K until st before marker, kfb into st before marker, then BO every st until you hit the next marker. Remove marker and BO one more st (24, 24, 28, 24, 28, 28, 24, 28, 24 sts bound off), K across.

We will now work up the right side of the tee with the left side stitches still on the cord.

Front Right Side

Row 1: P all sts across, turn. (40(44, 48, 56, 60, 64, 72, 76, 84)

Row 2: C1L, C1R, repeat from * across, turn. (40(44, 48, 56, 60, 64, 72, 76, 84)

Row 3: K1, P2, *K2, P2, repeat from * until 1 st remains, K1, turn. (40(44, 48, 56, 60, 64, 72, 76, 84)

Row 4: K1, SSK, K across, turn. (39(43, 47, 55, 59, 63, 71, 75, 83)

Rows 5: K1, P2, *K2, P2, repeat from * across, turn. (39(43, 47, 55, 59, 63, 71, 75, 83)

Row 6: K1, SSK, K across, turn. (38(42, 46, 54, 58, 62, 70, 74, 82)

Row 7: P across until 5 sts remain, SSP twice, P1, turn. (36(40, 44, 52, 56, 60, 68, 72, 80)

Row 8: C1R, C1L, repeat from * across, turn. (36(40, 44, 52, 56, 60, 68, 72, 80)

Row 9: P1, K2, *P2, K2, repeat from * until 5 st remain, P5, turn. (36(40, 44, 52, 56, 60, 68, 72, 80)

Row 10: K1, SSK, K across, turn. (35(39, 43, 51, 55, 59, 67, 71, 79)

Row 11: P1, K2, *P2, K2, repeat from * until 4 st remain, P4, turn. (35(39, 43, 51, 55, 59, 67, 71, 79)

Row 12: K1, SSK, K across, turn. (34(38, 42, 50, 54, 58, 66, 70, 78)

Row 13: P across until 5 sts remain, SSP twice, P1, turn. (32(36, 40, 48, 52, 56, 64, 68, 76)

Rows 14-19: repeat Rows 2-7. (28(32, 36, 44, 48, 52, 60, 64, 72)

Row 20: C1R, C1L, repeat from * across, turn. (28(32, 36, 44, 48, 52, 60, 64, 72)

Row 21: P1, K2, *P2, K2, repeat from * until 1 st remains, P1, turn. (28(32, 36, 44, 48, 52, 60, 64, 72)

Row 22: K all sts across, turn. (28(32, 36, 44, 48, 52, 60, 64, 72)

Rows 23-24: repeat Rows 21-22. (28(32, 36, 44, 48, 52, 60, 64, 72)

Row 25: P all sts across, turn. (28(32, 36, 44, 48, 52, 60, 64, 72)

Row 26: C1L, C1R, repeat from * across, turn. (28(32, 36, 44, 48, 52, 60, 64, 72)

Row 27: K1, P2, *K2, P2, repeat from * until 1 st remains, K1, turn. (28(32, 36, 44, 48, 52, 60, 64, 72)

Row 28: K all sts across, turn. (28(32, 36, 44, 48, 52, 60, 64, 72)

Rows 29-30: repeat Rows 27-28. (28(32, 36, 44, 48, 52, 60, 64, 72)

BO all sts purl wise.

ADD THE BRONTE TEE TO YOUR RAVELRY

Front Left Side

With WS facing, attach yarn to left side of panel.

Row 1: P all sts across, turn. (40(44, 48, 56, 60, 64, 72, 76, 84)

Row 2: C1L, C1R, repeat from * across, turn. (40(44, 48, 56, 60, 64, 72, 76, 84)

Row 3: K1, P2, *K2, P2, repeat from * until 1 st remains, K1, turn. (40(44, 48, 56, 60, 64, 72, 76, 84)

Row 4: K across until 3 sts remain, K2tog, K1, turn. (39(43, 47, 55, 59, 63, 71, 75, 83)

Rows 5: *P2, K2, repeat from * across until 1 st remains, K1 turn. (39(43, 47, 55, 59, 63, 71, 75, 83)

Row 6: K across until 3 sts remain, K2tog, K1, turn. (38(42, 46, 54, 58, 62, 70, 74, 82)

Row 7: P1, P2tog twice, P across, turn. (36(40, 44, 52, 56, 60, 68, 72, 80)

Row 8: C1R, C1L, repeat from * across, turn. (36(40, 44, 52, 56, 60, 68, 72, 80)

Row 9: P5, K2, *P2, K2, repeat from * until 1 st remains, P1, turn. (36(40, 44, 52, 56, 60, 68, 72, 80)

Row 10: K across until 3 sts remain, K2tog, K1, turn. (35(39, 43, 51, 55, 59, 67, 71, 79)

Row 11: P4, K2, *P2, K2, repeat from * until 1 st remains, P1, turn. (35(39, 43, 51, 55, 59, 67, 71, 79)

Row 12: K across until 3 sts remain, K2tog, K1, turn. (34(38, 42, 50, 54, 58, 66, 70, 78)

Row 13: P1, P2tog twice, P across, turn. (32(36, 40, 48, 52, 56, 64, 68, 76)