Malabrigo Bethesda Jumper Knitting Pattern

Malabrigo Bethesda Oversized Knit Sweater

What Is Being Made

The Malabrigo Bethesda is an oversized top designed by Nancy Ricci, featured in Malabrigo Book 8: In Central Park. This sweater is crafted as a relaxed, comfortable garment with generous proportions, measuring 36½ inches in width and 26½ inches in length. The design showcases a striking striped pattern that runs throughout the body, creating visual interest across the front and back panels.

Construction Technique

This sweater is worked using the bottom-up construction method, meaning you begin knitting from the lower edge and work upward toward the shoulders and neckline. The pieces are worked flat on circular needles, knitting back and forth in rows rather than in the round, which allows for easier stitch management across the large stitch count. After all pieces are completed, they are seamed together using mattress stitch or similar seaming techniques to create the finished garment. The armholes are strategically placed at the shoulder edges of both the front and back panels, and the neckline is finished with crochet edging for a polished look.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Bethesda employs fundamental knitting stitches that make it accessible to knitters of all experience levels. The pattern begins with a knit one, purl one ribbing (k1, p1 rib) at the lower edge, which provides elasticity and helps the sweater maintain its shape. The majority of the sweater body is worked in stockinette stitch (knit on right-side rows, purl on wrong-side rows), creating a smooth, classic fabric. The pattern is rated as an Easy skill level, making it suitable for relatively new knitters who have mastered basic techniques.

Stripe Techniques

The sweater features multiple striped sections that add depth and visual complexity to the design. These sections are strategically placed throughout the garment:

• Lower stripe section: Worked while maintaining the k1, p1 ribbing, creating striped ribbing at the hem
• Middle stripe section: A more elaborate striped pattern worked in stockinette stitch, featuring repeated color sequences
• Top stripe section: A final striped section near the shoulders before binding off

The stripe patterns use color changes to create visual bands across the sweater, with specific row counts for each color to establish the repeating pattern.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Malabrigo Bethesda is designed to be worked with Malabrigo Mecha yarn, a superwash merino wool that offers both durability and easy care. The yarn comes in 3½ ounce hanks, with each hank providing approximately 130 yards of yardage. The color palette includes:

• Paris Night (#52) as the main color (MC)—6 hanks required
• Polar Morn (#09) as accent color A—1 hank required
• Cereza (#33) as accent color B—2 hanks required

Knitting is accomplished using Size 13 (9mm) circular needles measuring 32 inches in length. The circular needle is used to accommodate the large number of cast-on stitches (100 stitches) without crowding, though the work is done flat in rows rather than joined in the round. Finishing details are completed with a Size J-10 (6mm) crochet hook, used to create a finished edge around the neckline and armhole openings.

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern is worked at a gauge of 11 stitches and 16 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch using the Size 13 needles. Achieving proper gauge is essential for obtaining the intended finished measurements. The sweater is designed as an oversized garment, with a finished width of 36½ inches and a total length of 26½ inches, making it suitable for a range of sizes when worn with positive ease.