Berroco Bristow Jumper Knitting Pattern

Berroco Bristow Knit Sweater

What is Being Made

The Berroco Bristow is an intermediate-level knit sweater designed by Amy Christoffers. This pullover garment features a classic construction with finished bust measurements ranging from 35¼ inches to 62½ inches across nine size options, and a center back length between 22¾ inches and 25 inches. The sweater is designed with 2–4 inches of positive ease for a comfortable, relaxed fit.

Construction Techniques

The Bristow sweater employs a sophisticated construction method that combines circular knitting with strategic shaping techniques. The body is worked in the round in one piece from the bottom up to the underarms, creating seamless fabric and ensuring consistent stitch definition. Once the body reaches the underarm depth, it is divided to work the back and front separately.

Shoulder shaping is accomplished using short-row techniques, which create gradual increases in length across the shoulder area for a better fit. The front and back pieces are then joined together using the three-needle bind-off method, a professional finishing technique that creates a strong, neat seam at the shoulder.

Sleeves are worked in the round to the underarm, then the sleeve caps transition to working back and forth in rows. This allows for precise cap shaping. The completed sleeve caps are then sewn into the armholes, creating a traditional set-in sleeve construction. The pattern includes a stripe repeat worked across the body and sleeves, with careful attention to creating a neat beginning-of-round and stripe join.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch used throughout the Bristow sweater is stockinette stitch (St st), which creates the smooth, classic fabric base. Stockinette stitch is worked in the round on circular needles for the body and sleeves, and back and forth in rows for the sleeve caps and shoulder shaping sections. The pattern incorporates a repeating stripe pattern worked over 14 rounds, adding visual interest and color variation to the finished garment.

Yarn and Materials

The Bristow pattern calls for two Berroco yarn products in complementary weights and fibers:

• Berroco Ultra Wool (100 grams per ball) in color #3301 Cream serves as the main color (MC). Yardage requirements range from 4 to 8 balls depending on size selected.
• Berroco Sesame (100 grams per ball) in color #7451 Pomelo serves as the contrast color (CC). A consistent 2 balls of this yarn is required for all sizes to work the stripe pattern.

The pattern requires multiple circular needles and double-pointed needles in two sizes. Knitters work on 32-inch circular needles in sizes 5 (3.75 mm) and 7 (4.5 mm), a 16-inch circular needle in size 5 (3.75 mm), and one set each of double-pointed needles in sizes 5 (3.75 mm) and 7 (4.5 mm). The larger needles are used for the main stockinette stitch fabric, while the smaller needles are used for ribbed edges and cuffs.

Additional notions include two stitch markers in different colors to track pattern repeats and construction points, waste yarn for holding stitches during construction, and a tapestry needle for seaming the sleeve caps and weaving in yarn ends.

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern is worked to a gauge of 20 stitches and 26 rounds over 4 inches in stockinette stitch on the larger needles. Achieving proper gauge is essential for obtaining accurate finished measurements. The Bristow is offered in nine sizes with bust measurements from 35¼ inches to 62½ inches, accommodating a wide range of body types and fit preferences.