Berroco River

Berroco River Knitting Pattern Collection

Berroco River is a downloadable knitting pattern collection featuring seven distinct garment designs created by the Berroco design team, led by Norah Gaughan and Emily Nora O'Neil. This comprehensive pattern set showcases versatile knitting techniques across multiple yarn weights and fiber compositions, offering options for various skill levels and project preferences.

Garment Designs Included

• Tancook – knit in Blackstone Tweed
• Coburg – knit in Ultra Alpaca
• Cornwallis – knit in Ultra Alpaca Light
• Melbourne – knit in Abode
• Tweedsmuir – knit in Abode
• Hecla – knit in Peruvia Quick
• Ramea – knit in Peruvia Quick

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

The River collection employs fundamental and intermediate knitting techniques suitable for various experience levels. Patterns utilize cable stitches, including C5L (cable 5 left) and C5R (cable 5 right), which create textured, dimensional details throughout the designs. Yarn overs (yo) are incorporated to add decorative eyelet elements and lace-like qualities to finished pieces. The patterns also feature stockinette stitch as a foundational stitch, combined with ribbing for structure and elasticity in cuffs and waistbands. Slip stitch techniques are used for seamless transitions and pattern management.

Construction methods include both flat knitting on straight needles and circular knitting using double-pointed needles (dpn), allowing knitters to choose their preferred construction approach. The patterns demonstrate marker placement and stitch management techniques essential for maintaining pattern integrity across multiple repeats.

Yarn Options and Fiber Content

The River patterns are designed to work with five distinct Berroco yarn options, each offering different fiber blends, weights, and gauge specifications:

• Berroco Ultra Alpaca Light – 50% Alpaca, 50% Wool; 1.75 oz / 50 g; gauge 4.5 sts = 1"; US 8 / 5 mm needles
• Berroco Abode – 100% Wool; 1.75 oz / 50 g; gauge 4.5 sts = 1"; US 8 / 5 mm needles
• Berroco Ultra Alpaca – 50% Alpaca, 50% Wool; 3.5 oz / 100 g; gauge 5 sts = 1"; US 8 / 5 mm needles
• Blackstone Tweed – 65% Wool, 25% Mohair, 10% Angora; 3.5 oz / 100 g; gauge 5 sts = 1"; US 8 / 5 mm needles
• Berroco Peruvia Quick – 100% Wool; 3.5 oz / 100 g; gauge 3 sts = 1"; US 11 / 8 mm needles

Needle Requirements

The patterns call for US size 7 (4.50 mm) and US size 8 (5.00 mm) needles for most designs, with larger needles (US 11 / 8 mm) recommended for projects using the heavier Berroco Peruvia Quick yarn. Double-pointed needles are specified for circular construction sections, while straight needles accommodate flat knitting approaches.

Gauge and Finished Dimensions

Gauges vary across the collection based on yarn weight and needle size. Standard gauges range from 18–23 stitches and 24–32 rows per 4 inches (10 cm) for lighter-weight yarns, to 12 stitches and 16 rows per 4 inches for the heavier Peruvia Quick option. Accurate gauge swatching is essential before beginning any project to ensure proper fit and finished dimensions.

Care Instructions