Berroco Summer Silk

Berroco Summer Silk Knit Collection

What is Being Made

This pattern collection features five distinct knitted garments designed in Berroco Summer Silk yarn: Maccabeau, Chenin, Semillon, Grenache, and Catarratto. These designs showcase the versatility of a summer-weight yarn suitable for both garments and accessories. The patterns demonstrate various construction techniques and styling options for warm-weather knitting projects.

Yarn Composition and Specifications

Berroco Summer Silk is a premium chainette yarn blend consisting of 45% Silk, 43% Cotton, and 12% Nylon. Each ball contains 240 yards and weighs 50 grams. The yarn is exceptionally soft to the touch, making it an ideal choice for garments worn close to the skin during warmer months. The fiber blend combines the breathability of cotton with the luxurious drape and sheen of silk, while nylon adds durability and elasticity to the finished fabric.

Gauge and Needle Requirements

Projects worked in Berroco Summer Silk achieve a gauge of 22 stitches and 32 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch. The patterns call for both smaller and larger circular needles—specifically a 36-inch circular needle is referenced for yoke construction, allowing for seamless in-the-round knitting techniques.

Knitting Techniques

These patterns employ several fundamental and intermediate knitting techniques:

• Ribbed set-up: Alternating knit and purl stitches in a 1x1 ribbing pattern create elastic edges that measure approximately 2 inches
• Yoke construction: Stitches are cast on and worked flat before being folded and seamed, then picked up around the body for seamless construction
• In-the-round knitting: After the yoke setup, the body is worked in one piece using circular needles, eliminating side seams
• Increases: Make one (M1) increases are incorporated to shape the garment and adjust stitch counts between sections
• Pickup and knit: Stitches are picked up from existing edges to transition between pattern sections

Stitches Used

The patterns utilize classic knitting stitches including knit (k), purl (p), and make one (M1) increases. Ribbing patterns combine knit and purl stitches in regular sequences to create textured, elastic fabric. Stockinette stitch (knit on right-side rows, purl on wrong-side rows) forms the primary fabric for these garments, providing a smooth, classic finish that showcases the yarn's lustrous qualities.

Care Instructions

Finished garments in Berroco Summer Silk require gentle care to maintain their beauty and longevity. Hand wash in cold water and lay flat to dry to preserve the yarn's delicate fiber blend and prevent stretching or damage.

Pattern Support and Resources

Berroco provides comprehensive support for knitters working with these patterns. Pattern corrections and updates are available at www.berroco.com/patterns/pattern-corrections. Complete abbreviations and terms are included at the end of the pattern document. Additional learning resources, including technique guides and abbreviation references, can be found at www.berroco.com/learning-center/abbreviations-and-terms. For additional assistance, knitters can contact pattern support at patternsupport@berroco.com.