Berroco Oxalis Jumper Knitting Pattern

Berroco Oxalis Knit Sweater

Garment Overview

The Oxalis is an intermediate-level knit sweater designed by Amy Christoffers, featuring a classic pullover construction with lace detailing. This garment is available in eight sizes ranging from 35" to 53" bust measurements, with finished lengths between 23" and 25½" depending on size selection. The design incorporates approximately 2 to 6 inches of ease for comfortable wearing.

Construction Method

This sweater is worked flat using the bottom-up construction technique, meaning the body and sleeves are knitted separately from the lower edges upward, then seamed together. The flat-working method allows knitters to easily try on the garment during construction and make adjustments as needed. The body begins with a garter stitch border before transitioning to stockinette stitch, providing a stable, non-curling edge.

Knitting Techniques

• Lace Work: The pattern incorporates lace stitching, which creates openwork sections that add visual interest and texture to the finished sweater
• Raglan Shaping: Armhole shaping is achieved through raglan decreases, which create diagonal lines from the underarm toward the neckline for a fitted silhouette
• Decrease Techniques: The pattern uses specialized decreases including k2tog (knit two stitches together) and SSK (slip, slip, knit), which are fundamental techniques for creating shaped garments
• Advanced Decreases: The stitch glossary includes k4tog and ssssk (slip 4 stitches knitwise, then knit together), which are used for more dramatic shaping in the lace sections
• Seaming: Finished pieces are seamed together using mattress stitch or similar seaming methods to create clean, professional-looking seams

Stitches Used

• Stockinette Stitch (St st): The primary stitch throughout most of the sweater, created by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side
• Garter Stitch: Used for the initial border rows, created by knitting every row to produce a textured, reversible fabric
• Lace Stitches: Combination of yarn overs and decreases that create the openwork pattern characteristic of lace knitting

Materials and Gauge

The Oxalis requires 3 to 4 hanks of Berroco Weekend DK yarn (100 grams per hank) in colorway #2947 Blood Orange, depending on the size selected. This yarn weight classification allows for a fabric with good drape suitable for a fitted sweater.

Knitting needles required include straight needles in sizes 4 (3.50 mm) and 7 (4.50 mm), plus a 16-inch circular needle in size 4 (3.50 mm) for finishing edges. Two stitch markers are needed to track pattern repeats and shaping points throughout construction.

The recommended gauge is 19 stitches and 24 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch on the larger needles. Checking gauge before beginning is essential, as even small variations can significantly affect the finished garment size and fit.

Skill Level and Pattern Notes

This pattern is rated at the intermediate skill level, making it suitable for knitters with foundational knowledge of basic stitches and shaping techniques. The combination of lace work, raglan shaping, and seaming requires attention to detail and familiarity with reading knitting charts and written instructions. The pattern notes recommend using the specific Berroco Weekend DK yarn called for in the instructions to ensure accurate gauge and finished results.