Berroco Purga Jumper Knitting Pattern

Berroco Purga Seamless Top-Down Stranded Knit Sweater

What is Being Made

The Berroco Purga is an intermediate-level pullover sweater designed by Amy Christoffers. This garment features a classic pullover construction with a fitted yoke and body worked seamlessly in the round from the neck down. The sweater is available in eight sizes, ranging from a 34¼" bust measurement up to 61", with finished lengths between 21" and 24" measured down the center back. The design is shown in size 39½" and incorporates positive ease of 2–4" for comfortable wearing.

Techniques Used

The Purga employs several advanced knitting techniques that define its construction and visual appeal:

• Seamless, top-down construction: The entire sweater is worked in one continuous piece beginning at the neck, eliminating the need for seaming and creating a smooth, professional finish.
• Worked in the round: Using circular needles, the garment is knitted circularly, which creates clean, continuous stockinette stitch without the need to purl.
• Short-row shaping: The yoke is shaped using short rows, a technique that creates gradual increases and a well-fitted shoulder area without visible decreases or increases on the front of the garment.
• Stranded colorwork: The design incorporates stranded knitting, a technique in which two colors of yarn are carried across the back of the work to create a patterned fabric. This adds visual interest and texture to the finished sweater.

Stitches Used

The Purga utilizes fundamental knitting stitches executed with precision:

• Stockinette stitch (St st): The primary stitch throughout the body and sleeves, creating a smooth, classic knit fabric with a V-shaped pattern on the right side.
• Ribbing (K2, P2): Used at the neckline for seven rounds to create an elastic, fitted edge that holds the sweater in place.
• Yarn overs (yo) and knit stitches: The increase round features yarn overs combined with knit stitches to create decorative, evenly-spaced increases that shape the yoke.
• Make one (M1) increases: Used selectively in larger sizes to add additional stitches for proper fit and gauge accuracy.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Purga is designed to be worked with specific Berroco yarns that create the intended drape, color, and durability:

• Berroco Pixel: The main color (MC) yarn, used in 3 to 5 hanks (100 grams each) depending on size. The pattern calls for colorway #2203 Coconut, a neutral base color.
• Berroco Ultra Wool DK: The contrast color (CC) yarn, used in 1 hank (100 grams) in colorway #83113 Black Pepper, providing definition through stranded colorwork.
• Circular needles: Both 16" and 29" lengths in sizes 4 (3.50 mm) and 6 (4.00 mm) are required. The smaller needles are used for the ribbed neckline, while the larger needles accommodate the body stitches.
• Double-pointed needles: One set each in sizes 4 (3.50 mm) and 6 (4.00 mm) for working the sleeve cap and finishing.
• Notions: One stitch marker to denote the beginning of the round, and waste yarn to temporarily hold sleeve stitches during construction.

Gauge and Finishing Details

The pattern specifies a gauge of 21 stitches and 28 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch on the larger needles. Achieving this gauge is essential for accurate finished measurements. The pattern emphasizes checking gauge before beginning to ensure the sweater fits as intended. The Berroco Purga represents a well-structured intermediate project that combines seamless construction, colorwork, and shaping techniques into a wearable, professional-quality garment.