Berroco Maiella Jumper Knitting Pattern

Berroco Maiella Women's Knit Sweater

What Is Being Made

The Berroco Maiella is a women's knit sweater designed by Amy Christoffers, featured in Berroco Booklet #356. This intermediate-level knitting project is available in seven sizes ranging from X-Small to 3X, with finished bust measurements from 32 inches to 56 inches and finished lengths from 22 inches to 26 inches. The garment is designed with approximately 2 inches of ease for a comfortable, relaxed fit.

Techniques Used

The Maiella sweater is constructed using a bottom-up seamed method, with pattern pieces worked flat on straight needles. This traditional construction approach allows knitters to work individual sections of the garment separately before assembling them together with seams. The bottom-up technique means you begin at the lower edge of the garment and work upward toward the shoulders and neckline, making it easy to try on and adjust length as needed during the knitting process.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The primary stitch used throughout the Maiella sweater is stockinette stitch (St st), which creates a smooth, classic fabric with a flat knit side and a bumpy purl side. This fundamental stitch pattern is ideal for showcasing yarn texture and drape, and it is appropriate for intermediate-level knitters who are comfortable with basic knitting techniques.

Materials Required

• Yarn: Berroco Espresso in colorway #7958 Pera. The yardage required varies by size: 2 hanks for X-Small, 3 hanks for Small through Large, 4 hanks for 1X and 2X, and 4 hanks for 3X. Each hank weighs 150 grams, providing substantial yardage for this project.
• Needles: Straight knitting needles in size 11 (8.00 mm) for working flat pieces, plus a 16-inch circular knitting needle in size 11 (8.00 mm) for any sections requiring circular knitting
• Notions: One stitch marker for tracking pattern repeats and construction points

Gauge

The recommended gauge for the Maiella sweater is 11 stitches and 15 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch using size 11 (8.00 mm) needles. Berroco emphasizes the importance of checking gauge before beginning the project to ensure proper fit and finished measurements. Taking time to knit and measure a gauge swatch will save time and frustration during the knitting process.

Yarn Information

The Berroco Espresso yarn used for this pattern is a specialty yarn from Berroco, Inc., a yarn manufacturer based in North Smithfield, Rhode Island. Berroco Espresso is available through local yarn shops and can be located using Berroco's online store locator, which is linked to their inventory system to help knitters find retailers that carry the specific yarn and colorway needed for this project.