Berroco Karale Jumper Knitting Pattern

Berroco Karale Seamless Top-Down Lace Sweater

What Is Being Made

The Berroco Karale is a women's pullover sweater designed by Norah Gaughan and featured in Berroco Booklet #350. This is an experienced-level knitting project available in six sizes ranging from X-Small to 2X, with finished bust measurements from 32 inches to 52 inches. The sweater is designed with approximately 2 inches of ease for a comfortable, relaxed fit.

Construction Techniques

The Karale is constructed using seamless, top-down construction, which means the sweater is knit from the neckline downward in one continuous piece, eliminating the need for seaming. The garment is worked in the round using circular knitting needles, a technique that creates a smooth, tubular fabric and allows for easy stitch adjustments during the knitting process. This method is particularly valued for creating garments with minimal finishing work.

The design incorporates lace techniques as a key design element. Lace patterns are created through strategic yarn overs and decreases that form decorative holes and motifs throughout the sweater, adding visual interest and texture to the finished piece.

Stitches and Stitch Details

The sweater is primarily worked in stockinette stitch (St st), which creates a smooth, classic knit fabric. The pattern includes make-one increases (M1k), which are invisible increases used to shape the sweater as it progresses from the top down. A charted lace pattern is incorporated into the design, requiring the knitter to follow a stitch chart in addition to written row-by-row instructions. Stitch markers are used throughout the project to help track pattern repeats and shaping sections.

Materials and Gauge

The Karale is designed to be knitted with Berroco Cirrus yarn in the colorway Rainier (#2501). The project requires between 5 and 9 hanks of yarn depending on the size being knitted, with each hank weighing 25 grams. Berroco Cirrus is the specified yarn for this pattern.

The pattern calls for size 10 (6.00 mm) circular knitting needles in both 16-inch and 29-inch lengths, allowing for knitting different sections of the garment as it grows. A set of four size 10 (6.00 mm) double-pointed needles (dpn) is also required for working smaller circumferences, such as the neckline or sleeve caps. Five stitch markers, with two in a different color to distinguish key pattern points, help organize the work.

The pattern gauge is 15 stitches and 22 rounds over 4 inches in stockinette stitch. Checking gauge before beginning is essential to ensure the finished sweater meets the intended measurements.

Sizing and Finished Measurements

• X-Small: To fit 30" bust; finished 32" bust; length 21¾"
• Small: To fit 34" bust; finished 36" bust; length 21¼"
• Medium: To fit 38" bust; finished 40" bust; length 22¼"
• Large: To fit 42" bust; finished 44" bust; length 22¾"
• 1X: To fit 46" bust; finished 48" bust; length 23¾"
• 2X: To fit 50" bust; finished 52" bust; length 24¼"