Claudia Top Jumper Knitting Pattern

Claudia Top in Berroco Cambria

What is Being Made

The Claudia Top is a knitted sweater designed by Amy Christoffers, available in eight sizes ranging from 37" to 67½" bust measurement. This intermediate-level knitting project creates a finished garment with bust measurements from (37, 41½, 45¼, 50) [54½, 59, 62¾, 67½] inches and length measurements from (21¾, 21¾, 22¼, 22¾) [23¼, 23¾, 24¼, 24¾] inches. The pattern is designed with 8–10 inches of positive ease for comfortable wearing.

Knitting Techniques Used

The Claudia Top employs several fundamental and intermediate knitting techniques to create its structure. The pattern begins with a ribbed cuff worked on smaller needles, establishing the foundation for the garment. Knitters will use the backwards loop method for casting on stitches during the construction process. The pattern incorporates stockinette stitch as the primary fabric, which creates a smooth, classic knit surface. Ribbing techniques are used for textured sections, providing stretch and structure to the garment.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The ribbed sections feature alternating knit and purl stitches worked through the back loop (k1tbl and p1tbl), creating a textured twisted rib pattern. The main body is worked in stockinette stitch (St st), which alternates knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side. Edge stitches are maintained with garter stitch (knit on all rows) for 5 stitches on each side, providing finished edges and preventing curl. The pattern uses stitch markers to track pattern repeats and shaping points, with removable stitch markers recommended for tracking progress.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Claudia Top is designed to be knitted with Berroco Cambria, a yarn that comes in 50-gram hanks. The project requires (5, 6, 6, 7) [8, 9, 10, 10] hanks of yarn in colorway #7907 Beech, depending on the size being made. The pattern calls for two sizes of knitting needles: size 4 / 3.5 mm needles for the ribbed sections and size 6 / 4 mm needles for the main body. A 16-inch circular needle in size 6 / 4 mm is required for working the garment in the round or for managing large stitch counts. One set each of double-pointed needles in both sizes (4 / 3.5 mm and 6 / 4 mm) is needed for working smaller circumferences, such as sleeves or necklines. Additional notions include a stitch holder for temporarily securing stitches and stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and increases or decreases.

Gauge and Construction Details

Achieving the correct gauge is essential for this project. The pattern specifies a gauge of 21 stitches and 28 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch on the larger (size 6 / 4 mm) needles. Knitters are strongly advised to knit a gauge swatch before beginning the project to ensure accurate finished measurements. The back of the garment begins with casting on between 97 and 177 stitches depending on size, with the initial ribbed section measuring 1 inch from the cast-on edge before transitioning to the larger needles and stockinette stitch body.