Gentle Current Entrelac Tunic Tee: Free Knit Pattern

Introduction

The Gentle Current Entrelac Tunic Tee is a relaxed, straight-tube men's tee worked in worsted acrylic and finished with a playful crocheted mushroom border in layered ocean blues. It's written for knitters who are comfortable with the basics and ready to try entrelac — the diagonal patchwork of interlocking rectangles does all the visual work, so you can keep your focus on the technique. The fabric is soft, smooth, and easy-care, with a gentle drape that makes it a great everyday layer. Wear it as a tunic over jeans or shorts, and let the whimsical hem peek out for a bit of fun.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Worsted weight acrylic. MC (ocean blue): 800 yds; CC1 (light blue): 100 yds; CC2 (teal): 100 yds; CC3 (navy): 50 yds.
• Needles: 4.5 mm (US 7) circular needles (for working the body in the round and back and forth).
• Hook: 4.0 mm (US G-6) crochet hook for the mushroom border.
• Notions: Stitch markers, stitch holders or waste yarn, tapestry needle, tape measure, scissors.
• Finished size: Chest circumference 40 inches; length 28 inches; sleeve length 8 inches.

Abbreviations

• CO: cast on
• K: knit
• P: purl
• St(s): stitch(es)
• SSK: slip, slip, knit — slip two stitches knitwise one at a time, then knit them together through the back loops (a left-leaning decrease)
• P2tog: purl two stitches together (a decrease)
• Inc: increase — work one stitch into the front and back of the same stitch
• Dec: decrease
• BO: bind off
• RS: right side
• MC, CC1, CC2, CC3: main color and contrast colors
• Sc: single crochet
• Hdc: half double crochet
• Dc: double crochet
• Ch: chain
• Sp: space

Gauge

18 sts and 24 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch on 4.5 mm needles. Knit a swatch, measure a 4-inch section, and adjust needle size if needed to match.

Tips Before You Start

• Entrelac is worked in small sections, so keep your working yarn at the edge of each rectangle and turn your work often — don't twist the yarn between rectangles.
• Count your 10-stitch rectangles as you go; a marker at the start of each round keeps the diagonal grid aligned.
• Work the crocheted mushroom border after blocking the body, so the hem edge is even and the scallops sit flat.
• Use a smooth acrylic and a slightly loose tension so the entrelac grid stays soft rather than stiff.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Body: Entrelac Base Triangles (MC)

Set-up: With 4.5 mm circular needles, CO 180 sts. Join in round, being careful not to twist.

Base triangles: *K1, turn, P1, turn, K2, turn, P2, turn, continue increasing 1 st per RS row until 10 sts in triangle, then SSK last st with next base st; rep from * to end (18 triangles).

Body: Entrelac Rectangles (MC)

Rectangle round: *Pick up 10 sts along edge of previous rectangle, turn, P10, turn, K9, SSK, turn, P9, P2tog, turn; rep from * until all rectangles complete.

Rounds 1–12: Repeat the rectangle round 12 times (approx 20 inches of body).

Back: Armhole and Shoulder Shaping

Row 1: BO 5 sts, work to end.

Row 2: BO 5 sts, work to end.

Rows 3, 5, 7: Dec 1 st each side (3 times total).

Next rows: Work even until armhole measures 7 inches.

Shoulder rows: BO 10 sts at beg of next 4 rows, then 12 sts at beg of next 2 rows. Place remaining 30 sts on holder for back neck.

Front: V-Neck and Shoulder Shaping

Work same as back until armhole measures 3 inches.

Divide: Work 45 sts, place center 30 sts on holder, work remaining 45 sts.

Neck decreases: Dec 1 st at neck edge every RS row 10 times.

Next rows: Work even until armhole measures 7 inches.

Shoulder: BO 10 sts at beg of next 2 RS rows, then 12 sts at beg of next RS row. Repeat for the other side.

Sleeves (make 2)

Set-up: With MC, CO 50 sts.

Rounds 1–8: Work in entrelac rectangles for 8 inches, inc 1 st each side every 6th row 5 times.

Final round: BO loosely.

Neckband

Set-up: With 4.5 mm needles, pick up 100 sts around neckline.

Rounds 1–6: Work 1x1 rib for 1 inch.

Final round: BO in rib.

Mushroom Border (crochet)

R1: With 4.0 mm hook and CC1, join to hem. Sc evenly around (180 sc).

R2: *Ch 3, skip 2 sc, sc in next sc; rep from * around.

R3: In each ch-3 sp, work (sc, hdc, dc, hdc, sc) for a tall mushroom, and (sc, hdc, sc) for a short mushroom, alternating. Fasten off.

R4: Repeat R2–R3 with CC2 in alternating spaces.

R5: Repeat R2–R3 with CC3 in alternating spaces for a layered effect. Fasten off.

Assembly and Finishing

Sew sleeve seams, then sew sleeves into armholes. Weave in all ends on the wrong side. Block the tee to the finished measurements (chest 40 inches, length 28 inches, sleeve 8 inches), pinning the hem flat so the crocheted mushrooms sit evenly. Let dry completely before wearing.

Pro Tips and Variations

• Swap the acrylic for a cotton-blend worsted for a cooler summer tee; check gauge first.
• Make the mushroom border taller by adding one more (sc, hdc, dc, hdc, sc) round in CC3.
• For a cropped version, work fewer entrelac rectangle rounds before shaping the armholes.