Berroco Zarah Jumper Knitting Pattern

Berroco Zarah Knit Sweater

What is Being Made

The Berroco Zarah is a classic knit sweater designed by Emily Nora O'Neil. This intermediate-level garment is constructed as a pullover with finished bust measurements ranging from 32" to 56" across seven size options. The sweater features a length of approximately 22½" to 25" depending on size selection, and is designed with 2–4" of ease for comfortable wearing. The shown sample is displayed in size 36" with Black Sea Urchin colorway.

Construction Techniques

The Zarah sweater is worked using a bottom-up seamed construction method, meaning the garment pieces are knit individually from the lower edge upward and then sewn together. The pieces are worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, allowing for traditional row-by-row shaping. This approach provides excellent control over fit and shaping, particularly for the armhole and shoulder decreases that define the garment's silhouette.

The sweater begins with a garter stitch edge (4 rows, creating 2 garter ridges) for a finished, non-curling border. The body and sleeves are then worked following a charted pattern, which adds textural or colorwork interest throughout the garment. Armhole shaping is achieved through strategic bind-offs at the beginning of rows, followed by single-stitch decreases worked on right-side rows to create a smooth, tapered armhole. Shoulder shaping uses a stepped bind-off method for a professional finish.

Stitches and Stitch Techniques

• Garter Stitch: Used for the bottom border (4 rows) to create a stable, non-curling edge
• Charted Pattern: The main fabric is worked following a chart, providing texture or design detail throughout the body and sleeves
• Decreases: Single-stitch decreases are worked on right-side rows for armhole shaping, creating a gradual taper
• Bind-offs: Strategic bind-offs at row beginnings shape the armholes and shoulders, with stepped bind-offs creating clean shoulder seams
• Seaming: Finished pieces are sewn together using appropriate seaming techniques for a polished, professional appearance

Materials and Tools

The Zarah sweater is designed to be knit with Berroco Elba yarn, a worsted-weight fiber. The yardage requirement ranges from 6 to 12 balls (50 grams each) depending on the size selected, accommodating the full range of finished bust measurements. The recommended gauge is 20 stitches and 28 rows over 4 inches in the charted pattern, which is essential to achieving proper fit.

Knitting needles required include straight needles in size 7 (4.50 mm) for working the flat pieces, and a 16" length circular needle in size 7 (4.50 mm) for working the neckline. A stitch marker is needed to track pattern repeats and construction points. The pattern instructions emphasize the importance of checking gauge before beginning to ensure accurate finished measurements and proper fabric drape.