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Garment-Dyed Tee

The Emerald Guardian

A small creature. A royal entrance.

Garment-dyed, soft from the very first wear.

An emerald-green stag beetle surrounded by orange nasturtium blooms, rounded leaves and curling stems, with burgundy accents and a golden geometric fan. Vintage natural history drawing meets Art Deco ornament.

Those enormous jaws cannot really bite. They are antlers, not weapons: a male stag beetle uses them to wrestle rival males off a branch, and they are so oversized that his grip is weak. The female, with far smaller jaws, can pinch considerably harder. And the beetle in the story had been a long time arriving. Stag beetle larvae spend several years in rotting wood, sometimes as many as six, before emerging as adults that live only a few weeks. A child who found one in the garden one evening was meeting something that had spent most of its life underground, in the last short chapter of it.

The Story Behind It

✦ ✦ ✦

In a garden behind an old stone wall, the nasturtiums had grown across a forgotten path. One evening a beetle appeared beneath their leaves, its green back catching the last of the light.

A child crouched beside it and announced that someone had dropped a jewel. Her grandfather bent down. Then the jewel walked.

They watched it climb over a root and pause beneath an orange flower, its great curved jaws raised like the branches of a miniature tree. “Where do you think it's going?” she whispered. They followed until it disappeared into the leaves. For the rest of that summer she took every visitor to the same patch of flowers. “There's someone you should meet.”

✦ ✦ ✦

Wear it for the wonders that reward a closer look.

Details

Relaxed unisex fit, straight through the body

Crew neck, short sleeves, centered front print

Sizes S to 4XL · Ivory, Black, Espresso, Bay and Mustard

Made to order in the USA

Fabric

Comfort Colors 1717, heavyweight garment-dyed cotton

100% ring-spun cotton, dyed after the shirt is sewn

A lived-in feel from the first wear, softer with every wash

Sizing

Relaxed and roomy, cut fuller than our lightweight Everyday Tee. If you prefer a closer fit, size down one.

Between sizes? We'll make it right, free.

See the full size guide →

Care

Wash cold, inside out. Tumble dry low. Avoid bleach, high heat, and ironing directly over the artwork.

There's always a butterfly.

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Customer Reviews

Overall rating: 5 / 5 from 31 reviews.

My daughter received the shirt the other day (I had ordered it for her as a surprise). She loved the color and she loved the texture. (she also loves butterflies). Said it was so soft Thanks.

Butterfly Flutter Watercolor Tee

Store owner replied: Thank you, MaDonna! A surprise gift for a daughter who loves butterflies, that is exactly why we make these. So happy it arrived soft and landed well. Please enjoy. Max

Perfect fit color and perfect monarch!

Monarch Butterfly Front & Back – Tee

Store owner replied: Pamela, thank you! This made our whole day. The Monarch is the design that started it all for us, so hearing that the fit, the color, and the butterfly all landed perfectly is everything we hope for. Thank you for supporting our small shop. Max & Anya, The Known Pack

Beautiful!

Bee Gentle Tee

Store owner replied: Thank you, Mary - she's one of our gentlest designs, glad she found a good home. Max

Beautiful Shirt & fast shipping!

Be You. Do You. For You. — Wildflower Tee

Store owner replied: Thank you so much, Lori! "Be You. Do You. For You." is one of our favorites too. Hand-drawn wildflowers with a reminder we all need. So glad it reached you quickly, and it only gets softer with every wash. Max, The Known Pack

As beautiful as pictured! Soft, true to size.

Luna Moth & Moonflowers - Vintage Botanical Tee

Store owner replied: Pam, 'as beautiful as pictured' is just about the nicest thing you could tell us - we work hard to show these exactly as they print. So glad the Luna Moth found you. Max & Anya, The Known Pack

Love this design, (love lightening bugs in the summer).. size is spot on, I ordered a lrg because I like my T-shirts, a little roomy.. delivery was quick.. shirt is soft... Happy

Firefly Glow - Summer Night Tee

Sizing is good, love the shirt, soft, and gets softer after washing, Love the design.. speedy delivery happy

Celestial Sun & Moon — Wildflower Botanical Tee

Store owner replied: So glad the Celestial found a good home, Janet - Anya drew that one over many quiet evenings, and hearing it's loved (and getting softer) means a lot. Thank you. Max & Anya

Love the shirt!, so summery, size is perfect, I got a leg because I like it a little roomy, have worn and washed and it's even softer.. would recommend and buy again through this company

Sunkissed & Thriving - Retro Floral Summer Tee

Store owner replied: Janet, this made our week - 'even softer after washing' is exactly what we hope for with these garment-dyed tees. Roomy was the right call too. Thank you for giving us a try and for the kind words. Max & Anya, The Known Pack

got compliments

Monarch Butterfly Front & Back – Tee

Store owner replied: Thank you, Cathy! The monarch was one of the very first designs Anya ever drew for the pack - it means a lot that it's a favorite in your house too. Max & Anya

Love this shirt. Excellent quality. Not sure if I can say this, but the quality is as good as Carhardt. Lov💙 The blue butterfly has meaning to me. 🦋

Monarch Butterfly Front & Back – Tee

Bought this for my wife and she absolutely loves it. Great quality, super soft, and the design looks even better in person. Highly recommend!

Wild & Free - Butterfly Wildflower Tee

I purchased this shirt as a gift for my aunt and she absolutely loved it!

Dog Kisses Fix Everything

Ordered this in navy and it quickly became one of my favorite tees. The front-and-back butterfly design is subtle, stylish, and well printed.

Monarch Butterfly Front & Back – Tee

As a dachshund owner, I had to get this! The heather oatmeal color is adorable and the design is sweet without being too flashy.

Home Is Where My Dachshund Is

Bought this for a weekend getaway and couldn't be happier. The denim blue shade is beautiful and the print has a clean, premium look.

Adventure Awaits - National Park Dog Tee

A simple, positive design with great quality. The moss green color complements the botanical artwork perfectly.

Grow Good Things Tee

The retro style is so fun. I picked orchid purple and the floral colors look amazing. Definitely a new Friday favorite.

Friday Feels - Retro Floral Vibes Tee

Such a unique design! The fireflies stand out nicely on the midnight navy shirt. It has a cozy summer-evening vibe.

Firefly Glow - Summer Night Tee

The butterfly graphic is beautiful and the message fits my style perfectly. The light blue color pairs well with jeans and shorts.

Wild & Free - Butterfly Wildflower Tee

Such a cheerful shirt! The floral print on the butter yellow tee is vibrant without being overwhelming. I've already gotten several compliments.

Good-Mood Energy Bouquet Tee

Love the minimalist design! I ordered the sage green color and the butterfly artwork looks even better in person. Soft, comfortable, and easy to style.

Monarch Butterfly Front & Back – Tee