Berroco Catarratto Jumper Knitting Pattern

Berroco Catarratto Knit Sweater

What is Being Made

The Berroco Catarratto is an intermediate-level knit sweater designed by Amy Christoffers. This garment is offered in six sizes with finished bust measurements ranging from 40 inches to 60 inches and finished lengths from 24 inches to 26 inches. The sweater is designed with approximately 4 to 6 inches of ease, allowing for a comfortable, relaxed fit. The pattern is available as a downloadable PDF and provides comprehensive instructions for creating a sophisticated, wearable garment.

Construction Technique

The Catarratto employs a bottom-up, seamless construction method that streamlines the knitting process and minimizes finishing work. The garment body is worked in the round as a single piece from the bottom edge up to the underarms, which creates a seamless tube and ensures consistent stitch tension throughout this section. Once the body reaches the underarm depth, it is divided into separate front and back sections, which are then worked flat using traditional back-and-forth knitting. This hybrid approach combines the efficiency of circular knitting with the shaping flexibility of flat knitting. The sleeves are picked up from the armholes and worked downward in the round, a technique that eliminates the need for sleeve seams and allows for precise fit adjustments.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The primary stitch pattern used throughout the Catarratto is Broken Rib, a textured knit-purl combination that creates visual interest and subtle elasticity. The Broken Rib pattern differs slightly depending on whether it is being worked in the round or flat to accommodate stitch count requirements. When worked in the round over an even number of stitches, the pattern alternates between a knit round and a round of alternating knit and purl stitches. When worked flat over an odd number of stitches for the front section, the pattern is adjusted with edge stitches to maintain proper alignment. The pattern instructions also reference a chart for additional stitch pattern details, indicating that charted sections may include more complex or decorative stitch work beyond the basic Broken Rib.

Yarn and Needle Requirements

The Catarratto calls for Berroco Summer Silk yarn in the colorway Villa (#4070). Yardage requirements range from 7 balls (350 grams) for the smallest size to 11 balls (550 grams) for the largest size, with each ball weighing 50 grams. This yarn choice suggests a lightweight, breathable fabric suitable for warm-weather wear, combining the comfort of silk with the workability of a blended fiber.

The pattern requires multiple needle sizes and types to achieve proper gauge and manage different sections of the garment:

• One 29-inch circular needle in size 5 (3.75 mm) for ribbed edging and initial setup
• One 29-inch circular needle in size 7 (4.50 mm) for the main body fabric
• One 16-inch circular needle in size 5 (3.75 mm) for working smaller circumferences, such as necklines or cuff areas
• One set of four double-pointed needles (dpns) in size 5 (3.75 mm) for ribbed sections worked in the round
• One set of four double-pointed needles (dpns) in size 7 (4.50 mm) for main fabric sections requiring smaller circumferences

Additional notions include one stitch marker to denote pattern repeats or section divisions, one stitch holder to temporarily secure live stitches, and waste yarn for holding stitches during construction.

Gauge and Finishing Standards

The pattern specifies a gauge of 24 stitches and 30 rows equal 4 inches when the Broken Rib stitch pattern is worked on the larger (size 7) needles. Achieving proper gauge is essential for obtaining the correct finished measurements and garment fit. The pattern instructions emphasize that checking gauge before beginning the project will save time and ensure successful results.