Berroco Gasperaux Jumper Knitting Pattern

Berroco Gasperaux Knit Sweater

What is Being Made

The Berroco Gasperaux is an intermediate-level knit sweater designed by Amy Christoffers. This pullover garment is available in seven sizes ranging from 36" to 60" bust circumference, with finished lengths between 20" and 22½" depending on size. The sweater shown in the pattern is size 44" with approximately 7" of ease.

Construction Method and Techniques

The Gasperaux employs a bottom-up construction approach, meaning the sweater is built starting from the lower edge and working upward. The body is worked in the round using circular needles from the lower edge up to the underarms, where it is then divided for separate back and front sections. This technique creates a seamless construction in the body. Stitches are subsequently cast on for the sleeves, and sleevebands are picked up and worked during the finishing phase. The sweater features seaming as part of its finishing process and incorporates lace elements into its design.

Stitches and Stitch Techniques

The pattern utilizes several fundamental knitting stitches and techniques:

• Ribbing: The body begins with a 1¾" ribbed cuff worked in alternating knit and purl stitches (K1, P1 ribbing), which provides stretch and structure at the lower edge.
• Reverse Stockinette Stitch: The primary stitch used throughout the body is Reverse Stockinette Stitch, created by purling every round. This stitch is worked on the larger needles and creates a textured, bumpy fabric surface.
• Increases: Strategic increases using M1R (make one right) and M1L (make one left) techniques are incorporated into the set-up round to shape the sweater and create design lines.
• Stitch Markers: The pattern calls for ten stitch markers to track pattern repeats and construction points, including one marker in a different color to denote the beginning of each round.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Gasperaux is designed to be worked in Berroco Quinoa, a yarn that comes in 50-gram balls. The yardage required varies by size, calling for 4 to 8 balls of yarn in the colorway #1044 Millet, depending on which size is being knitted.

The pattern requires two sizes of circular needles to achieve proper gauge and construction:

• 29" circular needles in sizes 5 (3.75 mm) and 7 (4.50 mm) for the body
• 16" circular needle in size 5 (3.75 mm) for the ribbed cuff and other ribbed sections

Gauge is critical for this project: 24 stitches and 28 rounds should measure 4" when worked in Reverse Stockinette Stitch on the larger needles. Knitters are advised to check gauge before beginning to ensure accurate finished measurements.

Additional Notions

Beyond needles and yarn, the pattern requires one stitch holder for temporarily holding stitches and waste yarn for holding stitches during construction and finishing phases.