Berroco Niche Jumper Knitting Pattern

Berroco Niche Sweater by Norah Gaughan

What Is Being Made

The Berroco Niche is a knitted sweater designed by renowned knitwear designer Norah Gaughan. This garment is available in seven sizes to fit bust measurements from 30 inches up to 54 inches, with finished bust measurements ranging from 36 to 60 inches. The sweater features a finished length to shoulder of approximately 21¾ to 24½ inches depending on size, making it a versatile piece suitable for various body types and proportions.

Techniques Used

The Niche sweater employs several advanced knitting techniques that contribute to its sophisticated construction. The garment is worked flat, meaning it is knitted in pieces rather than in the round, which allows for precise shaping and control during construction. The finished pieces are then seamed together to create the final garment. The design incorporates both cable and lace stitch patterns, adding visual interest and textural complexity to the finished piece. These techniques require intermediate-level knitting skills, making this pattern suitable for knitters with some prior experience.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The primary stitch used throughout the Niche sweater is moss stitch, which creates a dense, textured fabric with excellent drape and durability. The gauge for this pattern is 20 stitches and 28 rows over 4 inches when worked in moss stitch using the larger needles. The pattern also incorporates cable stitches and lace stitches, which are worked into the moss stitch base to create the design elements. Cable stitches are formed using a cable needle to cross groups of stitches over one another, creating twisted rope-like textures. Lace stitches are created through strategic yarn overs and decreases that form openwork patterns within the fabric.

Materials and Tools

The Niche sweater is designed to be knitted using Berroco Maya yarn in color 5628. Yardage requirements vary by size, ranging from 8 hanks of 50-gram weight for the smallest size up to 12 hanks for the largest sizes. Two circular needles are required: a 24-inch circular needle in size 8 (5mm) for the main body and sleeves, and a 16-inch circular needle in size 6 (4mm) for ribbed sections and neckline finishing. Additional tools needed include stitch markers to help track pattern repeats and shaping points, and a cable needle for executing the cable stitches that are integral to the design. Achieving the correct gauge of 20 stitches and 28 rows per 4 inches is essential for proper fit.

Construction Details

The body of the sweater begins with a cast-on of 70 to 76 stitches depending on size. Stitches are cast on at both the beginning and end of rows to create the body width, ultimately reaching 217 to 247 stitches. New stitches are incorporated into the moss stitch pattern as they are added. The body is worked straight until it measures between 4 and 10 inches from the cast-on edge, at which point neckline shaping begins. Sleeves are worked separately and include increases worked at regular intervals, with sleeve length measuring approximately 13 inches before completion. The pattern provides detailed row-by-row instructions for all shaping and pattern placement across all seven size options.