Berroco Midnight Magic Collection Hat Knitting Pattern

Mahina Sweater by Alison Green

What is Being Made

The Mahina is an intermediate-level pullover sweater designed by Alison Green, part of the Berroco Midnight Magic Collection. This garment is constructed as a seamless, top-down design that begins at the neckline and progresses downward to create a fitted, elegant sweater. The finished measurements range from 37 inches to 70¾ inches in bust circumference, with length measurements between 18½ and 21½ inches, offering multiple size options to accommodate various body types.

Construction and Techniques

The Mahina employs a sophisticated one-piece construction worked from the neck down, a popular modern knitting technique that eliminates the need for seaming and allows knitters to try on the garment as it develops. The yoke—the fitted upper portion of the sweater—is shaped using short-row shaping, a technique that creates gradual increases in width and depth without adding bulk. This method involves working back and forth over a subset of stitches before completing full rows, creating smooth, contoured shaping that follows the natural slope of the shoulders and upper back.

The pattern incorporates increase rows strategically placed throughout the yoke section. These increases are worked using right-leaning increases (RLI), a method that creates nearly invisible shaping when viewed from the right side of the fabric. The increases are distributed evenly across the row using a repeating pattern, ensuring balanced, symmetrical garment shaping.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch throughout the Mahina is Stockinette Stitch (St st), which creates a smooth, classic fabric with a distinctive V-pattern appearance on the right side and horizontal bumps on the wrong side. This stitch is worked in flat rows during the yoke shaping phase and transitions to working in the round once the body stitches are separated from the sleeve stitches. The simplicity of Stockinette Stitch allows the yarn's color and texture to take center stage while remaining accessible to intermediate knitters.

Materials and Specifications

The Mahina calls for Berroco Renew yarn in colorway #1348 Cardinal, with yardage requirements ranging from 6 to 13 balls depending on the chosen size. Each ball weighs 50 grams. Berroco Renew is a sustainable yarn choice, reflecting contemporary knitting values.

Needle requirements include a 32-inch circular needle in sizes 5 (3.75 mm) and 7 (4.5 mm), with the larger size used for the main fabric and the smaller size for ribbed or fitted sections. Additionally, knitters will need one set of double-pointed needles or preferred small-circumference needles in both sizes 5 and 7 for working the sleeves once they transition to small circumferences. The pattern also requires seven 5/8-inch buttons for closures and waste yarn for holding stitches temporarily.

The recommended gauge is 19 stitches and 26 rows over 4 inches in Stockinette Stitch using the larger needles, measured after blocking. Achieving proper gauge is essential for obtaining the correct finished measurements and ensuring the sweater fits as designed.

Skill Level and Considerations

Rated as intermediate difficulty, the Mahina requires knitters to be comfortable with circular needle techniques, short-row shaping, and reading pattern instructions with multiple size options. The top-down construction method and yoke shaping make this an excellent project for knitters looking to expand their technical skills while creating a wearable, professional-looking garment.