Berroco Chapin Jumper Knitting Pattern

Berroco Chapin Knit Sweater

What is Being Made

The Berroco Chapin is an experienced-level knit sweater designed by Alison Green, featured in Book #409. This garment is available in eight sizes ranging from 34½" to 62¼" bust measurement, with finished lengths between 22" and 25½". The sweater is shown in the 38¼" size and is designed with 2–4" of positive ease for a comfortable, relaxed fit.

Knitting Techniques

The Chapin sweater is constructed using multiple advanced knitting techniques that create both visual interest and structural integrity. The garment is worked flat on circular needles for the main body sections, then seamed together to create finished edges. Sections are also worked in the round using circular needles and double-pointed needles for seamless construction where appropriate. The sweater features cable stitch work as a design element. The construction method is bottom-up, meaning the sweater is knit starting from the lower edge and progressing upward toward the shoulders and neckline.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The primary stitch pattern used throughout the Chapin is the Seeded Rib Stitch, a textured pattern that combines knit and purl stitches to create visual depth and elasticity. The pattern provides instructions for both odd and even stitch counts. The Seeded Rib Stitch is worked over 2 rounds or rows: the first round is worked entirely in knit (or purl on the wrong side when working in rows), and the second round alternates between knit and purl stitches. This creates a subtle, woven appearance that is both decorative and functional.

The pattern also incorporates specialized decreases for shaping, including the L-Dec2 (Left Double Decrease) and R-Dec2 (Right Double Decrease), which are directional decreases used to create symmetrical shaping in cable and decorative sections.

Materials and Tools

• Yarn: Berroco Providence, a fingering-weight yarn in color #1119 Water Fire. The pattern requires 8 to 15 balls (50 grams each) depending on the finished size selected.
• Needles: Circular needles in sizes 3 (3.25 mm) and 5 (3.75 mm), including 16" and 29" lengths. One set each of double-pointed needles in sizes 3 and 5 is also required for working small circumferences in the round.
• Additional Notions: Stitch markers (including one in a contrasting color to mark the beginning of rounds), a cable needle for cable stitch work, and waste yarn for the tubular cast-on and to hold stitches during construction.

Gauge and Construction Details

The pattern requires a gauge of 22 stitches and 32 rows over 4 inches in Seeded Rib Stitch when worked with the larger size 5 (3.75 mm) needles. Checking gauge before beginning is essential to ensure the finished sweater meets the intended measurements. The body begins with a tubular cast-on using waste yarn, a technique that creates a professional, seamless edge. The sweater is then constructed in sections that are later seamed together, with cable details and textured stitch patterns creating the finished design.