Boys Sweater with Shawl Collar in Bergere de France Sport - 60398-05 - Downloadable PDF

Boys Sweater with Shawl Collar in Bergère de France Sport – Pattern Summary

This knitting pattern from Bergère de France produces a classic boys' pullover sweater featuring a distinctive shawl collar. Rated as a beginner difficulty project, it is an excellent choice for knitters who are building confidence with garment construction while still producing a polished, wearable result. The pattern is available as a downloadable PDF and is written to accommodate five children's sizes: 6 ans, 8 ans, 10 ans, 12 ans, and 14 ans (ages 6 through 14), making it a versatile and practical addition to any knitter's pattern library.

What Is Being Made

The finished garment is a boys' pullover sweater worked in a clean, straightforward silhouette with a shawl collar — a softly draped, rounded neckline treatment that adds a relaxed yet refined look to the finished piece. The shawl collar is a classic design element often seen in boys' and men's knitwear, lending warmth and style without the bulk of a traditional turtleneck. This style is well suited to everyday wear and cooler seasons.

Yarn and Materials

The pattern calls for Bergère de France Sport weight yarn, used in two specific colorways or yarn options from the brand:

• Flottille (reference 25332) – the main color, requiring 5 pelotes (balls) for size 6 ans, 6 for 8 ans, 7 for 10 ans, and 8 for both 12 ans and 14 ans
• Vaisseau (reference 21739) – a contrast or secondary yarn, requiring 2 pelotes for sizes 6 ans, 8 ans, and 10 ans, and 3 pelotes for sizes 12 ans and 14 ans

The Sport weight yarn classification means the yarn is relatively fine and lightweight, producing a fabric with good stitch definition that is comfortable for children to wear. Sport weight knits up at a tighter gauge than DK or worsted, resulting in a durable yet breathable fabric ideal for a child's active lifestyle.

Needles Required

Two needle sizes are specified for this pattern:

• Aiguilles n° 3,5 (3.5 mm) – used for the ribbed sections
• Aiguilles n° 4 (4 mm) – used for the main body of the sweater worked in stockinette stitch

Using two needle sizes is standard practice in garment knitting: the smaller needle creates a firmer, more elastic fabric for the ribbing at cuffs, hem, and collar, while the larger needle produces a softer, more relaxed fabric for the body and sleeves.

Stitches and Techniques Used

The pattern employs a small, clearly defined set of stitches, making it accessible for beginner knitters:

• Côtes 2/2 (2x2 Rib) – worked on the smaller 3.5 mm needles, this alternating knit-2, purl-2 ribbing is used for the welts, cuffs, and collar edging. Ribbing creates a stretchy, structured border that helps garment edges lie flat and retain their shape over time.
• Jersey Endroit (Stockinette Stitch) – worked on the larger 4 mm needles, this is the primary stitch used across the body and sleeves. Stockinette is formed by knitting all right-side rows and purling all wrong-side rows, producing a smooth, classic fabric surface.

Shaping and Construction Techniques

The pattern includes standard garment shaping techniques appropriate for a beginner working on their first or second sweater project:

• Shoulder shaping is achieved through cast-off sequences worked every 2 rows, with stitch counts varying by size. For example, size 6 ans works 4 sets of 4 stitches, while size 14 ans works 2 sets of 5 stitches and 2 sets of 6 stitches.