Berroco Elta Jumper Knitting Pattern

Berroco Elta Knitted Sweater

What is Being Made

The Berroco Elta is an intermediate-level knitted sweater designed by Alison Green. This pullover garment is available in nine sizes, ranging from 34 inches to 58 inches in bust measurement, with finished lengths between 23 and 26.5 inches. The sweater is shown in a size 37-inch bust with approximately 2 inches of positive ease for a comfortable fit.

Construction Method and Techniques

The Elta sweater is worked as a seamless, one-piece construction beginning at the neck and progressing downward. This top-down approach allows for easy fitting adjustments and eliminates the need for seaming. A key shaping technique used in this design is short rows, which are employed to shape the neckline and create a well-fitted yoke area. The garment is worked in the round using circular needles, which is a fundamental technique for creating seamless knitwear.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The pattern utilizes several fundamental knitting stitches and techniques:

• Stockinette Stitch (St st): The primary stitch used throughout the body of the sweater, created by alternating knit and purl rows (or knit rounds when working circularly)
• Ribbing (k2, p2): A knit 2, purl 2 ribbed pattern used for the neckline ribbing, which provides elasticity and helps the neck opening maintain its shape
• Backward Loop Increase (BL): A special increase technique used during yoke shaping, created by placing a backward loop on the right-hand needle with the yarn twisted clockwise, resulting in a less tight increase than standard make-one increases

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Elta sweater is designed to be knitted with Berroco Ultra Wool Fine yarn. Depending on the size selected, the project requires between 3 and 5 balls of yarn (each ball weighing 100 grams). The sample shown was knitted in color #53152 Ocean.

The needle requirements include both circular needles and double-pointed needles in two sizes:

• 16-inch and 29-inch circular needles in sizes 3 (3.25 mm) and 5 (3.75 mm)
• One set of double-pointed needles in sizes 3 (3.25 mm) and 5 (3.75 mm)

Additional notions required for completion include five stitch markers (with one in a different color to mark the beginning of rounds), and waste yarn for holding stitches during construction.

Gauge and Finishing Details

The pattern specifies a gauge of 22 stitches and 32 rounds measured over 4 inches in stockinette stitch when worked on the larger needles. Checking gauge before beginning is essential to ensure the finished garment matches the intended measurements. The smaller needles are used for the ribbed neckline, while the larger needles are used for the body of the sweater to create the proper fabric density and drape.