Stacy Charles Fine Yarns Bedford Top Jumper Knitting Pattern

Stacy Charles Fine Yarns Bedford Top

About This Design

The Bedford Top is a knitted sweater designed by Pam Grushkin, created with luxurious silk and lurex yarn for a sophisticated, shimmering finish. This garment is worked from the bottom up using seaming techniques to join the pieces together. The pattern is available in six sizes ranging from Small to 3X, with finished bust measurements from approximately 36 inches to 56 inches.

What Is Being Made

This is a pullover sweater top featuring a classic construction method. The garment is designed to be worn with intentional stretch, as the fabric naturally stretches both horizontally and vertically when worn. The finished length ranges from approximately 24½ inches in smaller sizes to 27½ inches in larger sizes. The piece includes set-in sleeves and a crew neckline with a bound-off center back neck opening.

Knitting Techniques Used

• Bottom-Up Construction: The sweater is knit from the bottom edge upward, allowing for easy adjustments to length during the knitting process.
• Seaming: Finished pieces are joined together using seaming techniques, specifically the 3-Needle Bind-Off method for shoulder seams and traditional seaming for side and sleeve seams.
• 3-Needle Bind-Off: A special technique that simultaneously binds off stitches while seaming two pieces together, creating a secure and neat shoulder join.
• Knitted Cast-On (Cable Cast-On): Used to establish the initial stitches, this method creates a neat, flexible edge suitable for garment construction.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

• Elongated Garter Stitch: The primary stitch pattern used throughout the garment. This stitch creates a textured, reversible fabric with distinctive horizontal ridges. The elongated variation produces a more fluid drape compared to standard garter stitch.
• Stockinette Stitch Elements: Basic knit and purl stitches form the foundation of the elongated garter stitch pattern.

Gauge Information

Achieving proper gauge is essential for this pattern. When the fabric is laid flat and unstretched, the gauge is 15 stitches and 18 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) in Elongated Garter Stitch. When the garment is worn and the fabric is stretched, the gauge changes to approximately 12 stitches and 16 rows over 4 inches (10 cm), reflecting the natural stretch properties of the yarn and stitch pattern. Knitters should take time to check both gauges to ensure proper fit.

Materials and Yarn

The Bedford Top is designed to be knitted with Stacy Charles Fine Yarns STELLA, a luxury blend consisting of 74% silk and 26% lurex. This composition creates a lustrous, shimmering fabric with excellent drape. The yarn is provided in balls of 0.88 ounces (25 grams) with 76.5 yards (70 meters) per ball. Yardage requirements vary by size, ranging from 7 balls for the Small size to 12 balls for the 3X size.

Needles and Tools

• Circular Needle: One size 11 (8mm) circular needle measuring 29 inches (73.5 cm) long, or the size needed to obtain gauge.
• Additional Needle: One extra size 11 (8mm) needle required for the 3-Needle Bind-Off technique used to join shoulders.
• Notions: Stitch markers (including one removable marker for pattern tracking), stitch holders or waste yarn for holding stitches, and a yarn needle for weaving in ends and seaming.

Pattern Structure

The pattern is organized by size, with all six sizes provided in parentheses throughout the instructions. The Elongated Garter Stitch pattern is worked in repeating rows, with specific row counts varying based on desired length and size. The back and front pieces are worked separately, with stitches placed on holders for the shoulders. The pattern includes detailed finishing instructions for blocking, shoulder joining, and side and sleeve seaming.