Berroco Lourdes PDF

Berroco Lourdes PDF – Knitted Lace Sweater Pattern by Amy Christoffers

The Berroco Lourdes is a beautifully crafted women's pullover sweater pattern designed by Amy Christoffers and published by Berroco. Rated as an Intermediate skill level project, this design combines elegant lace detailing with a classic, structured silhouette that makes it a versatile addition to any handknitter's wardrobe. The pattern is available as a downloadable PDF, making it instantly accessible for knitters eager to cast on.

What Is Being Made

Lourdes is a women's pullover sweater worked in a lace pattern stitch. It is a seamed garment, meaning the pieces are knitted flat and then joined together, giving the finished sweater a clean, tailored structure. The design was shown in a 44" finished bust size and is available in a generous range of sizes:

• Bust: 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, and 60 inches
• Length: 22 to 24 inches, varying by size

The pattern is designed with approximately 2–6 inches of positive ease, meaning the finished garment is intentionally larger than the wearer's actual bust measurement. Knitters are encouraged to take this ease into account when selecting their size, as the relaxed fit contributes to the sweater's graceful drape and comfortable wear.

Construction Techniques

Lourdes is constructed using a bottom-up, worked flat approach. Each main section — typically the front, back, and sleeves — is knitted separately on straight needles from the lower edge upward. The pieces are then seamed together to complete the garment. This traditional construction method is well-suited to intermediate knitters who are comfortable with seaming and reading flat knitting instructions.

• Bottom-up construction: Work begins at the cast-on edge and progresses toward the shoulders, allowing easy length adjustments along the way.
• Worked flat: Pieces are knitted back and forth in rows rather than in the round, which is ideal for managing lace patterning with clear right-side and wrong-side row distinctions.
• Seamed finishing: Joining flat-knitted pieces with seams creates a structured, durable garment with neat edges.
• Lace patterning: The signature lace stitch pattern adds visual texture and an airy, feminine quality to the sweater's fabric.

Stitches and Techniques Used

The primary fabric of Lourdes is worked in a lace pattern stitch, which typically involves a combination of yarn overs and decreases arranged to create decorative openwork motifs. Lace knitting requires attention to stitch counts and pattern repeats, making it a satisfying challenge for knitters moving beyond basic stockinette projects. The gauge is set in the pattern stitch on the larger needles, so swatching in the actual lace pattern is essential before beginning.

• Lace pattern stitch – the main body fabric, worked over a defined repeat
• Yarn overs and decreases – fundamental to lace construction, creating the openwork design
• Ribbing or edging – typically worked on smaller needles for cuffs, hems, and necklines
• Seaming – joining finished pieces for a polished, professional result

Materials – Yarn, Needles, and Notions

The pattern calls for Berroco Pima 100, a 100-gram hank yarn, in colorway #8412 Phlox. The quantity required ranges from 4 to 6 hanks depending on the size being knitted. Berroco Pima 100 is a worsted weight yarn, making it suitable for the gauge of 20 stitches and 28 rows over 4 inches in the pattern stitch. Its pima cotton content contributes to excellent stitch definition, which is particularly important for showcasing lace motifs clearly.

The recommended needles and notions include:

• Straight needles, size 5 (3.75 mm) – for rib