Berroco Top Knitting Pattern

Berroco Tasman Knit Top

What Is Being Made

The Tasman is an intermediate-level knit top designed by Alison Green. This garment is a pullover-style top available in nine sizes ranging from 36¼" to 72" bust measurement, with finished lengths between 20¼" and 23¾". The top is shown in the 48¼" size and features a modern construction method worked primarily in the round from the bottom up.

Construction Technique

The Tasman employs a practical bottom-up circular knitting construction. The garment is worked in the round to the underarms using circular needles, then divided for separate back and front pieces that are worked flat. This hybrid approach combines the efficiency of circular knitting for the body with the precision of flat knitting for the upper sections. The pattern includes positive ease of 2–4" for a comfortable, relaxed fit.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns Used

The Tasman features two distinct stitch patterns with different gauge requirements. The primary construction uses stockinette stitch (St st), which forms the foundation of the garment. The pattern also incorporates a more complex stitch pattern worked on the back and front pieces, which is based on a multiple of 14 stitches plus 5 additional stitches. This pattern stitch includes several key techniques:

• Purl stitches (P) for texture and pattern definition
• Knit stitches (K) for the main fabric
• Yarn overs (yo) to create decorative openwork and lace elements
• Central double decrease (CDD) for shaping and pattern symmetry

The combination of yarn overs and decreases creates an elegant lace-like quality within the stitch pattern. The stockinette stitch sections provide contrast and stability to the more intricate patterned areas.

Gauge and Blocking

Accurate gauge is essential for this project. Using the larger needles, stockinette stitch should measure 22 stitches and 30 rows over 4" (10 cm), while the pattern stitch should measure 20 stitches and 30 rows over 4". The pattern notes that gauge is measured after blocking, making blocking a critical step for achieving proper finished measurements and garment drape.

Yarn and Needles

The Tasman is designed to be worked with Berroco Seaspun, a yarn that comes in 50-gram balls. The yardage required ranges from 6 to 14 balls depending on the chosen size, with the sample shown using 9 balls in colorway #10335 Cove. Berroco Seaspun is a high-quality yarn well-suited to the lace and stockinette stitch patterns in this design.

The pattern requires two sizes of circular needles: a 32" (80 cm) circular needle in both size 6 (4 mm) and size 7 (4.5 mm), plus a 16" (40 cm) circular needle in size 6 (4 mm) for working smaller circumferences. The larger needle is used for the main gauge, while the smaller needle is used for ribbing and other sections requiring a tighter gauge. Additional notions include stitch markers (with one in a contrasting color to mark the beginning of round), waste yarn for holding stitches, and a safety pin for securing the center neck stitch during construction.

Skill Level and Pattern Complexity

Rated as intermediate difficulty, the Tasman is suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to tackle circular knitting, pattern stitches with yarn overs and decreases, and garment shaping. The combination of techniques—circular construction, stitch pattern work, and the transition from in-the-round to flat knitting—makes this an engaging project for developing knitters seeking to expand their technical abilities.