Berroco Gustavia Jumper Knitting Pattern

Berroco Gustavia Seamless Knit Sweater

What is Being Made

Gustavia is a women's pullover sweater designed by the Berroco Design Team and featured in Book #416. This intermediate-level knitting project creates a fitted, waist-shaping garment available in nine sizes ranging from 32" to 64" bust measurement. The finished sweater offers a length of 21" to 24" depending on size selection, with hip measurements spanning 48" to 80". The design is shown in size 44" bust with 2–6" of positive ease recommended for comfortable wearing.

Techniques Used

Gustavia employs a bottom-up, seamless construction method that maximizes efficiency and minimizes finishing work. The garment is worked in the round from the cast-on edge up to the underarms, creating a continuous circular fabric without side seams. This technique provides a smooth, professional finish and ensures consistent gauge throughout the body section. Once the piece reaches the underarm depth, the knitter divides the stitches to work the back and front panels separately in flat rows, allowing for shaping at the neckline and armholes. This hybrid approach combines the speed and precision of circular knitting with the control of flat construction for detailed shaping.

Stitches and Shaping Details

The primary stitch throughout the body is stockinette stitch (knit every round when working in the round, knit on right-side rows when working flat), creating a smooth, classic fabric. Strategic waist shaping is achieved through SSK (slip, slip, knit) decreases worked symmetrically around the garment. The pattern establishes ten decrease points marked with stitch markers, with one decrease worked after each marker. These decreases occur every tenth round for a total of eight decrease rounds, reducing the stitch count progressively while maintaining balanced shaping. The decreasing pattern works 1 fewer stitch between markers with each decrease round, creating a gradual, flattering taper from bust to waist.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

Gustavia is designed to be knitted with Berroco Liana, a yarn supplied in 50-gram hanks. Yardage requirements range from 4 hanks for the smallest size (32" bust) to 9 hanks for the largest size (64" bust), with the demonstrated size 44" requiring 6 hanks in colorway #8272 Orchid. Knitters will need a 29" circular needle in size 6 (4.00 mm) or the size necessary to achieve the specified gauge of 20 stitches and 28 rounds per 4" in stockinette stitch. Additional notions include ten stitch markers (with one in a contrasting color to denote the beginning of round) and waste yarn for holding stitches during construction. Checking gauge before beginning is essential to ensure accurate finished measurements.

Pattern Overview and Construction Sequence

The body begins with a cast-on of 240 to 400 stitches depending on size, joined for working in the round. Knitters work 2" of even stockinette before introducing the first decrease round. The waist shaping phase spans approximately 14" from the cast-on edge and includes eight decrease rounds spaced ten rounds apart. After the shaping section is complete, the piece is worked even until reaching the underarms, at which point the stitches are divided for separate back and front construction. This methodical approach ensures a well-proportioned garment with elegant waist definition while maintaining the speed and precision benefits of seamless, in-the-round knitting.