The KNIT tee has been a long time coming! It took a lot of work perfecting it, from choosing the right fabric and the right fit to pondering the best placement of the four letters that spell out KNIT. After various samples, hours spent scrutinising t-shirt fabrics, and countless back and forth with our factory, the KNIT tee is ready for you in the shop!
The KNIT tee was originally conceived as a boxy one-size tee that boldly proclaims your favourite thing to do: KNIT! How hard would it be to design a simple boxy tee? Choose a fabric, create a design, and we’re off! Piece of cake, right?
Ha!
For something as seemingly simple as a t-shirt, there are an awful lot of decisions that need to be made. If you forgo using blank t-shirts, like the ones that American Apparel supply, then your list of decisions grows larger. Fabric, fit, inks, design placement, care instructions – these are all features that require attention and detail. And that’s where sampling comes in.
Sampling involves sending a factory your tee’s fabric, fit and design details in what’s known as a “tech pack.” This includes every detail you can think of, down to the millimetre. The factory then makes one sample tee based on your tech pack and sends it over for your to review.
Our first sample of the tee had the word “KNIT” spaced out with the N and T sitting vertically and the K and I sitting horizontally. This didn’t really feel right, like the letters didn’t naturally fall into place to read “KNIT”. Plus, the narrow neckline combined with the heavier combed cotton and sagging shoulders gave the tee a heavy feeling. So, back to the drawing board.
Our second iteration used a cotton/spandex blend. It was thinner, lighter, and felt nice and smooth. Perfect! But the fabric was stretchy. Too stretchy, in fact, and the plastisol ink that silkscreened our design was too heavy on such a light fabric. The neckline, which was wider than the first sample, nicely opened up the neckline and balanced out the loose boxy shape.
Third time’s the charm! Our third sample was made with a spandex/cotton blend that was smooth and light but still substantial. It had a very slight sheen and just the right amount of stretch. The letters that spell KNIT were switched around and, to my eye, look much better. This tee was neither too big nor too small. It was neither too light nor too heavy. It was just right. Ah, the Goldilocks principle in action.
So, there you have it! Check out the KNIT tee in the shop and on Etsy. It’s a One Size tee, and its oversized boxy shape and can fit most body types.
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