Biafo Pullover Jumper Knitting Pattern

Biafo Pullover in Juniper Moon Tenzing

What is Being Made

The Biafo pullover is a yoked pullover sweater from the Karakoram Collection by Juniper Moon Farm. This garment is designed to be worn with 2 to 5 inches of ease in the bust, offering a comfortable, relaxed fit. The pullover is available in seven sizes ranging from XS to 3X, with finished bust measurements from 31¼ inches to 54½ inches and lengths from 24 inches to 28 inches, making it suitable for a wide range of body types.

Construction and Techniques

The Biafo pullover is worked in the round from the bottom up, a construction method that minimizes seaming and creates a seamless garment. This technique involves casting on stitches for the body and working continuously in circular rounds rather than flat pieces that must be sewn together. The sweater features a yoked design, meaning the upper body and armholes are shaped through a single integrated yoke section that decreases stitches to fit the shoulders and neckline.

The pattern incorporates stranded colorwork, a technique in which two colors of yarn are carried across the back of the work while stitches are knitted in the foreground color. This creates a patterned fabric with the flexibility to work the colorwork design in a variety of color combinations, allowing knitters to customize the sweater's appearance. The pattern includes specific instructions for repeating increases at designated intervals to shape the body.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette Stitch (St st): The primary stitch used for the body of the sweater, creating a smooth, flat fabric with a recognizable V-pattern texture on the right side
• 2x2 Ribbing: Used for the lower edge of the sweater, where knit and purl stitches alternate in groups of two to create an elastic, stretchy border that helps the sweater stay in place
• Stranded Colorwork: A technique combining stockinette stitch with two colors of yarn to create the patterned yoke design
• Increases: Make one (M1) and knit increases are used to shape the body at regular intervals
• Decreases: Slip, slip, knit (ssk) and knit two together (k2tog) decreases are employed to shape the yoke and armholes

Materials

Yarn: The Biafo pullover is knitted with Juniper Moon Farm Tenzing yarn. The main color (MC) is Tenzing in color #08 Scarlet, requiring 9 to 15 balls depending on size. The contrasting color (CC) is Tenzing in color #09 Alfalfa, requiring 1 to 2 balls depending on size. Tenzing is a premium yarn that works well for both solid-color and colorwork projects.

Needles: The pattern calls for US 5 (3.75 mm) circular needles in both 32-inch and 16-inch lengths, as well as double-point needles in the same size, used for working the ribbed cuff and smaller circumference sections. US 6 (4 mm) circular and double-point needles are used for the main body and stranded colorwork sections. Circular needles allow for working in the round without seams, while double-point needles accommodate the smallest circumferences at the neckline.

Additional Notions: A tapestry needle is needed for weaving in yarn ends and seaming any necessary sections. Stitch markers help track the beginning of rounds and pattern repeats. Scrap yarn or stitch holders are used to hold stitches temporarily during construction.

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern specifies a gauge of 22 stitches and 32 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for the finished sweater to match the intended measurements. The pattern provides detailed yoke shaping instructions with increases repeated at different intervals for each size, ensuring proper fit across the full range of sizes offered.