Berroco Bena Jumper Knitting Pattern

Berroco Bena Knit Sweater

What is Being Made

The Berroco Bena is a knitted pullover sweater designed by Emily Nora O'Neil. This intermediate-level garment is available in six sizes with finished bust measurements ranging from 34½ inches to 60¾ inches and lengths from 21½ inches to 24 inches. The sweater is designed with approximately 4 to 6 inches of positive ease, making it a comfortable, relaxed-fit garment suitable for everyday wear.

Knitting Techniques

The Bena sweater is constructed using bottom-up construction, meaning pieces are knitted starting from the lower edges and working upward toward the shoulders. The garment is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, and all pieces are seamed together after completion. This traditional construction method allows for precise shaping and charted pattern work throughout the design.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The sweater features charted pattern work as its primary stitch design element. The pattern includes three distinct charts:

• Chart 1: Worked over 24 rows (3 repeats) on the back piece, establishing the lower body pattern
• Chart 2: Worked over 8 rows (2 repeats) in the mid-body section with strategic increases and decreases to shape the garment
• Chart 3: Worked from the completion of Chart 2 until the piece measures 13½ inches from the cast-on edge, continuing the patterned design through the armhole shaping

Garter stitch (knit every row) is used as a transition element between charted sections, with 7 rows of garter stitch separating Charts 1 and 2, and 8 rows of garter stitch between Charts 2 and Chart 3. The gauge for the charted pattern is 19 stitches and 28 rows over 4 inches on the larger needles after blocking, which is essential to verify before beginning the project.

Materials and Tools

The Bena sweater is knitted using Berroco Indigo yarn in colorway #6431 Cargo. The yardage requirement varies by size, ranging from 4 hanks (for the smallest size) to 8 hanks (for the largest size), with each hank weighing 100 grams. Two sizes of straight knitting needles are required: size 7 (4.50 mm) needles for working the main charted patterns at gauge, and size 6 (4.00 mm) needles for ribbing or edging work. A 16-inch length circular knitting needle in size 6 (4.00 mm) is also needed, likely for working neckline stitches. One stitch marker is required for tracking pattern repeats and shaping points throughout construction.