Berroco Durant Jumper Knitting Pattern

Berroco Durant Lace Knit Sweater

What is Being Made

The Berroco Durant is an intermediate-level knit sweater designed by Amy Christoffers. This pullover garment features a sophisticated lace pattern throughout and is available in seven sizes ranging from 44½" to 76½" bust circumference. The finished sweater offers a relaxed fit with approximately 8–12 inches of positive ease, making it suitable for layering or a comfortable everyday wear piece.

Construction Method and Techniques

The Durant sweater is constructed using a bottom-up, worked-flat approach with seamed construction. This method involves knitting the back and front pieces separately on flat needles from the lower edge upward, then seaming the pieces together at the sides and shoulders. The bottom-up construction allows for easy adjustments to length during the knitting process and provides excellent control over fit and shaping.

The garment begins with a ribbed cuff at the lower edge, which is worked on smaller needles to create a snug, elastic edge. Knitters then transition to larger needles to work the main lace pattern across the body of the sweater. This technique—changing needle sizes between ribbing and pattern—is a standard approach in sweater construction that helps create definition and ensures the ribbing sits close to the body.

Stitches and Pattern Details

The Durant features a repeating four-row lace pattern stitch that creates an elegant, openwork design. The pattern stitch is a multiple of 4 stitches plus 3 and includes the following key techniques:

• Yarn overs (yo) – These create the decorative holes characteristic of lace knitting
• Slip, knit 2 together, pass slipped stitch over (slip 1, k2tog, psso) – This centered decrease creates the directional lines in the lace pattern
• Knit 2 together (k2tog) and slip, slip, knit (SSK) – These decreases balance the yarn overs and maintain stitch count
• Ribbed edging – The cuff uses twisted knit and purl stitches worked through the back loop (k1tbl, p1tbl) for a refined appearance

The four-row repeat cycles through right-side and wrong-side rows, with the purl rows providing a rest between the more complex lace rows. This balanced pattern structure makes it accessible for intermediate knitters while creating visual interest throughout the finished garment.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Durant is designed to be knit with Berroco Artesia yarn, a worsted-weight fiber. The pattern calls for 2 to 3 hanks (200–300 grams total) depending on size, with the sample shown using color #4804 Iris. The pattern recommends alternating skeins every two rows to ensure even color distribution throughout the sweater.

The project requires two sizes of knitting needles: size 8 (5 mm) needles for the ribbed cuff and a 16-inch circular needle, and size 10 (6 mm) needles for the main lace pattern. The circular needle in the smaller size is used for any neckline work. The pattern also calls for 4 stitch holders to temporarily hold stitches during construction.

The recommended gauge is 12 stitches and 21 rows over 4 inches in the pattern stitch on the larger needles. Achieving proper gauge is essential for obtaining the correct finished measurements and ensuring the lace pattern displays as intended.