Aldrich in Berroco - Downloadable PDF

Aldrich Sweater Knitting Pattern by Amy Christoffers – Berroco Ultra Wool Chunky

The Aldrich is a top-down seamless pullover sweater designed by Amy Christoffers and published by Berroco as part of Book #413. Rated Intermediate in skill level, this pattern is an excellent project for knitters who are comfortable working in the round and ready to explore yoke construction, short-row shaping, and seamless sleeve techniques. The design is worked entirely from the top down, making it easy to try on as you go and adjust length to suit your preferences.

What Is Being Made

Aldrich is a classic pullover sweater with a fitted yoke, ribbed neckline, and a clean, wearable silhouette. It is available in a wide range of sizes with a finished bust measurement of 34 to 62 inches, accommodating nine sizes in total. The pattern recommends 2–4 inches of positive ease, giving the finished garment a relaxed, comfortable fit. The sample shown was knitted in size 38 inches. The center front length ranges from 20 to 23 inches depending on size, making this a cropped-to-standard-length pullover suitable for a variety of body types and style preferences.

Construction Method

One of the most appealing aspects of the Aldrich pattern is its seamless, top-down construction. The garment is worked as follows:

• Yoke: Worked in one piece in the round from the neck down to the underarms, with neck shaping achieved through short rows.
• Divide for body and sleeves: At the underarms, stitches are separated onto waste yarn so the body and sleeves can be worked independently.
• Body: Worked in the round down to the hem, then divided for separate back and front finishing.
• Sleeves: Picked up and worked in the round from the underarm down to the lower edge of the cuffs.

This seamless, top-down approach eliminates the need for seaming and allows knitters to customize the fit at multiple stages of the project.

Techniques Used

The Aldrich pattern incorporates several key knitting techniques that make it a rewarding intermediate-level project:

• Tubular cast-on – An optional but recommended technique for creating a polished, professional-looking ribbed neckline edge. A standard cast-on method may be substituted.
• Short-row neck shaping – Used to raise the back neck and create a more comfortable, flattering fit around the neckline.
• Working in the round – The yoke, body, and sleeves are all worked circularly using both circular needles and double-pointed needles.
• Stitch marker placement – Four stitch markers are used throughout, including one in a contrasting color to mark the beginning of the round, helping knitters track yoke increases and transitions.
• Holding stitches on waste yarn – Used at the underarms to separate sleeve stitches from body stitches before continuing in the round.

Stitches Used

The Aldrich pattern relies on a clean combination of fundamental knitting stitches:

• Stockinette stitch (St st) – The primary stitch pattern used throughout the body, yoke, and sleeves, creating a smooth, classic fabric.
• 1x1 Ribbing (K1, P1) – Used for the neckband and cuffs, providing stretch and a neat, tidy finish.

Yarn and Materials

The pattern calls for Berroco Ultra Wool Chunky, a 100-gram ball in the colorway #43118 Marjoram. This is a chunky weight yarn, which contributes to the pattern's satisfying, quick-to-knit pace. Depending on size, the pattern requires 5 to 9 balls of yarn.

Recommended needles and notions include:

• Circular needles: 16-inch and 24-inch (or longer) in sizes