Queensland Collection Birgit Jumper Knitting Pattern

Queensland Collection Birgit Jumper

What Is Being Made

The Birgit Jumper is a knitted pullover sweater available in five sizes ranging from Small (32-34 inch bust) to XX-Large (48-50 inch bust). This garment features a classic fitted silhouette with shaped armholes and shoulders, offering length measurements from 20 inches to 22½ inches depending on size. The actual bust measurements range from 39½ inches in the smallest size to 58 inches in the largest size, providing a comfortable, wearable fit across all dimensions.

Knitting Techniques Used

The Birgit Jumper employs several essential knitting techniques to create its structure and visual interest. The pattern uses cast-on and cast-off methods to establish and finish edges, with specific stitch counts for armhole shaping that vary by size. Decreasing techniques are central to the design, utilizing both knit two together (k2tog) and slip, slip, knit (ssk) decreases to create the tapered armholes and shaped shoulders. The pattern incorporates yarn overs (yo) paired with decreases to form the decorative zigzag stitch pattern. Increasing is worked through yarn overs integrated into the patterning. The construction involves working in the round or flat with careful attention to right side (RS) and wrong side (WS) row differentiation. Stitch holders are used to hold stitches during construction, allowing for later finishing or seaming.

Stitches Used

The Birgit Jumper combines three primary stitch patterns to create its finished appearance:

• Garter Stitch: Created by knitting every row, this stitch provides a textured, reversible fabric used in sections of the garment for structure and visual contrast.
• Stockinette Stitch: Formed by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side, this classic stitch creates a smooth, refined surface typical of traditional sweater construction.
• Zigzag Pattern: A decorative stitch pattern worked over 8 stitches and 14 rows, combining knit stitches with yarn overs and decreases (k2tog and p2tog) to create a distinctive diagonal zigzag texture. The pattern repeats across the width of the garment, with the yarn overs and decreases positioned differently on each row to achieve the characteristic zigzag effect.

Materials and Tools

The Birgit Jumper is knitted using Queensland Collection Kathmandu Aran 100 yarn in shade #21 Rosewood. Yardage requirements vary by size, with the Small size requiring 4 skeins of 100g each, increasing to 7 skeins for the XX-Large size. The yarn is worked at a tension of 16 stitches and 23 rows to a 4-inch square in the Zigzag Pattern. Knitting is executed on US 8 (5mm) knitting needles, and the pattern requires 2 stitch holders for managing stitches during armhole and shoulder shaping. This combination of needle size and yarn weight creates a fabric with appropriate drape and structure suitable for a fitted sweater design.