Berroco Fiora + Folio Knitting Pattern

Berroco Fiora + Folio Pattern Collection

The Berroco Fiora + Folio #372 pattern collection features five distinct knitted designs showcasing two premium yarn options from Berroco. This downloadable PDF pattern set, designed by Emily Nora O'Neil and edited by Brenda York, offers versatile projects suitable for knitters seeking elegant, wearable pieces crafted with high-quality natural and synthetic fiber blends.

Yarn Options and Fiber Content

Berroco Fiora® is a luxurious blend composed of 40% Cotton, 30% Rayon / Viscose, 15% Alpaca, 10% Nylon, and 5% Wool. This yarn provides 246 yards per 3.5 ounces (100g) and features a gauge of 5.5 stitches per inch, with 22 stitches and 30 rows measuring 4 inches (10cm) on US Size 5 (3.75mm) needles. Fiora garments are machine washable and should be laid flat to dry, making them practical for everyday wear.

Berroco Folio® offers a different fiber composition of 65% Alpaca and 35% Rayon / Viscose. This yarn yields 219 yards per 50 grams (1.75 ounces) and works at the same needle size with a gauge of 5.5 stitches per inch, though row gauge is slightly tighter at 32 rows per 4 inches (10cm). Folio requires handwashing and should be laid flat to dry to maintain fiber integrity.

Garment Designs in the Collection

The pattern includes five individual knitted designs, each identified by a botanical name:

• Odora – knit in Berroco Fiora
• Lucerne – knit in Berroco Folio
• Lantana – knit in Berroco Fiora
• Rivea – knit in Berroco Fiora
• Oleander – knit in Berroco Folio

Knitting Techniques and Construction Methods

The patterns employ multiple knitting techniques to create texture and visual interest. Chart-based construction is central to these designs, with detailed stitch charts provided on pages 9 and 10 of the pattern. Knitters work from charted instructions that specify stitch placement and pattern repeats.

Shawl construction is demonstrated in the pattern instructions, utilizing traditional circular knitting methods. The shawl begins with a small loop of yarn around the finger, establishing a center point. Eight single crochet stitches are worked into this loop using a crochet hook, then stitches are divided across three double-pointed needles (dpns) and joined for working in the round.

The construction progresses through strategic yarn-over increases and knit-together decreases. Yarn overs (yo) create lace elements and shaping, while knit two together (k2tog) decreases control fabric expansion. The pattern incorporates stitch markers (sm) to delineate pattern sections and maintain alignment throughout the work. Double yarn overs are treated specially, with the first yarn over knitted and the second purled to create intentional texture variation.

Stitch Techniques

Key stitches used throughout the collection include:

• Knit stitch (k) – the fundamental stitch forming the fabric base
• Purl stitch (p) – used selectively for texture and reversibility
• Yarn over (yo) – creates decorative openings and increases for lace and shaping
• Knit two together (k2tog) – a right-leaning decrease for shaping
• Single crochet (sc) – used in the shawl's foundation ring

The patterns utilize charted stitch patterns that repeat across multiple rows and rounds, allowing knitters to follow visual representations of stitch sequences rather than written-out instructions for complex sections. This approach is particularly useful for lace and textured patterns where yarn-over placement is critical.

Pattern Support and Resources

Berroco provides ongoing support for this pattern collection through their website at www.berroco.com