1291 Bacopa - Jumper Knitting Pattern for Women in Valley Yarns Toby

1291 Bacopa – Striped Women's Pullover Knitting Pattern by Lidia Karabinech

The 1291 Bacopa is a beautifully designed striped pullover sweater for women, created by designer Lidia Karabinech and published by Valley Yarns. Knitted in the luxurious Valley Yarns Toby yarn — a sumptuous blend of 83% mako cotton, 10% mulberry silk, and 7% cashmere — this jumper is as indulgent to wear as it is stylish to look at. The pattern is rated Adventurous Beginner (equivalent to advanced beginner), making it an excellent next step for knitters who have mastered the basics and are ready to tackle garment construction with multiple techniques.

The Bacopa pullover is a versatile, everyday wardrobe piece. Its relaxed striped aesthetic transitions effortlessly from casual outings with jeans to more polished occasions paired with a skirt or dress slacks. The design is offered as a downloadable PDF pattern.

Sizes and Finished Measurements

The pattern includes a generous size range to suit a wide variety of bodies:

• Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, and 4XL
• Finished Bust: 34½ (37½, 41, 45½, 49) (53½, 57, 61½) inches
• Finished Length: 22 (22½, 24, 24½, 26) (26½, 28, 28½) inches
• Ease: Designed to fit with 2–4 inches of positive ease for a comfortable, relaxed silhouette
• The sample shown in the pattern is knitted in size M

What Is Being Made

The Bacopa is a classic pullover jumper featuring a striped colorwork pattern worked in two coordinating shades of Valley Yarns Toby. The sweater has a structured ribbed hem and cuffs, a neat neckline, and a timeless silhouette that flatters a range of body types. It is a seamed garment, meaning the front, back, and sleeves are worked as separate flat pieces and then joined together — a traditional construction method that results in a stable, well-shaped finished garment.

Techniques Used

This pattern incorporates several knitting techniques that give knitters a well-rounded garment construction experience:

• Bottom-up construction: The garment is worked from the cast-on edge upward, which allows knitters to easily adjust length before finishing
• Worked flat: The body pieces and sleeves are knitted back and forth in rows on circular needles, producing flat panels that are later seamed together
• Worked in the round: Circular needles are also used for certain sections such as the neckband, where knitting in the round creates a seamless, tidy finish
• Seamed construction: Finished pieces are joined using a tapestry needle, a foundational skill for garment knitters that creates clean, durable seams
• Stripes: A two-color striped pattern is worked throughout the body, alternating between the Main Color (MC) and Contrast Color (CC) in a regular repeat, adding visual interest without complex colorwork techniques like intarsia or Fair Isle
• Long-Tail Cast-On: The pattern specifically instructs knitters to use the Long-Tail Cast-On method, a popular technique that creates a neat, stretchy, and sturdy foundation row
• Front neck shaping: The front piece includes shaped neck decreases, giving knitters practice with basic garment shaping

Stitches Used

The Bacopa pattern uses a small, accessible set of stitches, making it approachable for adventurous beginners:

• 2x2 Rib (k2, p2): Used for the welts and cuffs, this classic ribbing stitch creates a stretchy, structured border that hugs the body neatly and helps the garment keep its shape
• Stockinette stitch: