Bonus Charisma

Bonus Charisma Knit Sweater by Morgana Knits

What Is Being Made

The Bonus Charisma is a knitted sweater designed by Alexandra Giarmadourou and available through Morgana Knits. This is a classic pullover-style jumper suitable for knitters of all experience levels, with seven size options ranging from extra-small to triple-extra-large (XS through XXXL). The finished bust measurements span from 88 cm (35 inches) for the smallest size up to 136 cm (53.5 inches) for the largest size, making this design adaptable for various body types and fit preferences.

Construction Technique

The Bonus Charisma sweater is constructed using a practical flat-working method on circular needles. The front and back pieces are worked separately in the round using circular needles, knitted from the bottom edge upward to the shoulder line. This approach allows for seamless stockinette sections while maintaining control over shaping. After the main body pieces are completed, the sleeves are knitted as separate components. Once all pieces are finished, the garment is assembled through traditional seaming: shoulder seams are sewn together first, followed by side seams. After assembly, live stitches are picked up around the neckline opening to create a turtleneck collar, which is then worked in the round for a polished finish.

Stitches and Pattern Details

This design features fundamental knitting stitches suitable for beginner-level crafters. The primary stitch pattern is stockinette stitch, created by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side. The pattern incorporates cable stitches as a decorative element, with cable instructions referenced in Chart A1 of the original pattern. Cable work requires a cable needle to temporarily hold stitches while crossing them over other stitches for the characteristic twisted texture.

Additional stitches used throughout the pattern include:

• Knit (k) – the fundamental forward stitch
• Purl (p) – the reverse of a knit stitch, used for ribbing and texture
• Ribbing – an alternating knit and purl pattern (k2/p notation indicates knit 2, purl 2 ribbing) that creates elastic edges at the cuffs and hem
• Make 1 (m1) – an invisible increase stitch for shaping
• Knit 2 Together (k2tog) – a decrease that leans to the right, used for tapering sleeves and shaping armholes

The ribbed sections at the cuffs and hem are worked on smaller needles (7mm) to create a tighter, more elastic fabric that hugs the wrists and waist, while the main body stockinette is worked on larger needles (8mm) for a more relaxed drape.

Materials and Gauge

The Bonus Charisma pattern calls for DROPS Eskimo yarn in Beige (color 47), a super-chunky weight wool yarn. This yarn is 100% wool and comes in 50-gram skeins, with each skein providing 50 meters of yardage. Yardage requirements scale with size: the smallest size requires 10 skeins (500 meters total), while the largest size needs 20 skeins (1000 meters total).

The pattern specifies two needle sizes:

• 7mm circular needles – used for ribbed sections at the neckline, cuffs, and hem
• 8mm circular needles – used for the main body and sleeves in stockinette stitch

Knitters should verify their personal gauge before beginning; the pattern establishes a standard gauge of 11 stitches and 17 rows per 10 centimeters (4 inches) when measured in stockinette stitch using the larger 8mm needles. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for obtaining the intended finished measurements.

Additional materials needed include a cable needle for managing cable stitches, a tapestry needle for seaming pieces together and weaving in yarn ends, and stitch markers to track pattern repeats and construction points.

Skill Level

Rated as a beginner-friendly design, the Bonus Charisma introduces knitters to fundamental techniques including flat stockinette construction, basic cable work, seaming, and neckline finishing. The