The Backlit Tee pattern is now available as a stand alone pattern for the first time. To celebrate, you can get this pattern for **50% OFF** until May 10, 2026. No coupon code needed.

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

The Backlit Tee was designed to let your yarn SHINE. I knit my tee using a combination of self-striping yarn and a crisp white solid, creating the effect of a joyful glow—as if the sweater were lit from within by a hidden rainbow.

What makes this design truly special is its versatility. This sweater is knit seamlessly from the top down using stranded colorwork. The dramatic, all-over colorwork is both striking and endlessly fun to knit, no matter which yarns you choose. Whether you’re playing with self-striping yarn, mini skeins, gradients, variegateds, speckles, tonals, or solids, this sweater has the depth and movement to make every color combination sing.

*Please note: The stranded colorwork in this pattern is charted, but does not include written instructions.*

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

YARN
Fingering weight yarn, Fab Funky Fibres

Sample shown in “Naked” (MC, white) and “Walking on Rainbows” (CC, self-striping)

Main Color: 575 (625, 670, 710, 760, 860, 900, 940, 990, 1050) yards / 526 (572, 613, 650, 695, 732, 823, 860, 905, 960) m
Contrasting Color: 275 (300, 325, 375, 410, 440, 475, 510, 550, 600) yards / 252 (275, 297, 343, 375, 403, 435, 466, 503, 549) m

FINISHED DIMENSIONS
Chest: 35.25 (39.25, 43.25, 47.25, 51.25, 55.25, 59.25, 63.25, 67.25, 71.25) inches / 88 (98, 108, 118, 128, 138, 148, 158, 168, 178) cm
Sleeve Circumference: 10.75 (11.25, 12.5, 14, 15.25, 16.5, 18, 19.25, 20.5, 22.75) inches / 26.5 (28, 31.5, 35, 38, 41.5, 45, 48, 51.5, 56.5) cm

NEEDLES
US 6 (4 mm) 24- or 32-inch (60- or 80-cm) circular (as appropriate for your size), or as required to meet gauge

US 5 (3.75 mm) 24- or 32-inch (60- or 80-cm) circular (as appropriate for your size)

DPNs or needles for small circumference in the same sizes

GAUGE
24 stitches and 28 rounds = 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch AND in stockinette stitch in colorwork motif on LARGER needles

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