Berroco Daraja Jumper Knitting Pattern

Berroco Daraja Seamless Knit Sweater

What is Being Made

The Berroco Daraja is a seamless, bottom-up knit sweater designed by Amy Christoffers. This intermediate-level garment features a classic pullover construction with set-in sleeves and is available in seven sizes ranging from 36" to 60" bust measurements. The finished length varies from 23" to 26" depending on size selected. The design incorporates approximately 4–6" of ease for comfortable wearing.

Construction and Techniques

Seamless, Worked in the Round: The Daraja is constructed using a highly efficient seamless method. The body is worked as one continuous piece in the round from the cast-on edge up to the underarms, eliminating the need for seaming. This technique creates a smooth, professional finish and reduces finishing work significantly.

Bottom-Up Construction: The sweater is built from the bottom upward, allowing knitters to try on the garment during the knitting process and adjust the length as needed before committing to the sleeves.

Divided Front and Back: Once the body reaches the underarm, it is divided into separate front and back sections to accommodate sleeve cap shaping. The sleeve caps are worked as integral parts of the front and back panels, and sleeves are subsequently picked up along the edges of these caps and worked downward to the cuffs.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch structure is stockinette stitch (St st), which creates the smooth, classic fabric base. The pattern incorporates cable stitches for decorative texture and visual interest:

• C6B (Cable 6 Back): Slip 3 stitches to a cable needle and hold to the back, knit 3 stitches, then knit 3 stitches from the cable needle. This creates a cable that twists away from the knitter.
• C6F (Cable 6 Front): Slip 3 stitches to a cable needle and hold to the front, knit 3 stitches, then knit 3 stitches from the cable needle. This creates a cable that twists toward the knitter.

The sweater begins with a ribbed cuff worked in alternating knit and purl stitches (K1, P1 rib), which provides elasticity and a finished appearance at the lower edge.

Materials and Tools

Yarn: The pattern calls for Berroco Quechua yarn in colorway #1314 Harmony. Quantities range from 7 hanks for the smallest size (36" bust) to 13 hanks for the largest size (60" bust). Each hank weighs 50 grams.

Needles and Notions: The project requires two sizes of circular needles—size 4 (3.50 mm) for ribbing and size 6 (4.00 mm) for the main fabric—both in 29" length. Additionally, knitters will need one set of four double-pointed needles (dpns) in each size for working the sleeves in the round. A cable needle is essential for executing the cable stitches. The pattern also specifies 2 stitch holders, 2 stitch markers, and a tapestry needle for weaving in ends.

Gauge: The pattern is worked to a gauge of 24 stitches and 32 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch using the larger (size 6) needles. Achieving the correct gauge is critical for proper fit and is strongly recommended before beginning the project.

Pattern Source

This pattern is Daraja version 2, sourced from Berroco Booklet #389. The design was updated in 2017 and is available as a downloadable PDF from Berroco, Inc.