Berroco Arshile Jumper Knitting Pattern

Berroco Arshile Infant and Children's Sweater

What Is Being Made

The Berroco Arshile is a classic knitted sweater designed for infants and young children, available in sizes ranging from 9 months through children's size 6. This garment features a simple, timeless construction suitable for everyday wear. The finished chest measurements range from 20 inches for the smallest size up to 28 inches for size 6, with corresponding length measurements from 12½ inches to 17 inches, ensuring proper fit across multiple age groups and growth stages.

Techniques and Construction Method

This sweater is constructed using a bottom-up seamed approach, meaning the knitter begins at the lower edge and works upward toward the neckline. The garment is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, which requires seaming the pieces together after completion. This traditional construction method allows for straightforward shaping and is particularly suitable for knitters at the easy skill level. The pattern incorporates strategic decreases at the neck edges, worked simultaneously on both sides of the front pieces to create a symmetrical neckline opening.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Arshile is worked primarily in Pattern Stitch (Pat St), which is established on the larger needles and creates the main fabric texture of the sweater. The gauge for this pattern is 20 stitches and 27 rows per 4 inches when worked on the larger needles, making it essential for knitters to check their gauge before beginning to ensure proper finished measurements. Ribbing or other stitch variations are likely used for edging details, though specific stitch abbreviations for these elements are referenced in the complete pattern instructions.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Arshile calls for Berroco Remix yarn in the colorway #3938 Verdant. The yardage requirements are modest, ranging from 3 hanks for the smallest sizes (9 months, 12 months, and 18 months) to 4 hanks for the larger children's sizes (2, 4, and 6). Each hank of Berroco Remix contains 100 grams, providing approximately 300 to 400 grams of yarn total depending on the size being made. Berroco Remix is a versatile yarn choice suitable for children's garments.

Needles and Tools Required

Knitters will need straight knitting needles in sizes 6 (4.00 mm) and 7 (4.50 mm), with the larger size used for working the main pattern stitch and the smaller size likely reserved for ribbed edgings. Additionally, a 16-inch circular knitting needle in size 6 (4.00 mm) is required, typically used for picking up and working the neckline stitches. The pattern also calls for 2 stitch holders to temporarily hold stitches during construction, a standard tool for managing active stitches when shaping the neckline and armholes.

Key Design Features

• Symmetrical neck shaping achieved by decreasing 1 stitch at each neck edge every 1 to 1½ inches, repeated 4 times across all sizes
• Armhole placement marked after the piece measures between 8½ and 11 inches from the cast-on edge, depending on size
• Armhole depth ranging from 4 to 6 inches, providing comfortable sleeve cap ease
• Seamed construction allowing for precise finishing and professional appearance
• Easy skill level making it accessible to beginner and intermediate knitters

Pattern Notes

The Berroco design team emphasizes the importance of checking gauge before beginning to ensure the finished measurements match the intended size. The pattern is designed to be worked in a straightforward manner, with clear size designations in parentheses throughout the instructions. This sweater represents a practical, well-tested design from Berroco's extensive pattern library, suitable for gift-giving or personal projects for young children.