Juniper Top in Berroco Remix Light - Portfolio5-13 - Downloadable PDF

Juniper Top in Berroco Remix Light – Knitting Pattern Summary

The Juniper Top is a beautifully crafted knitted top designed by Sachiko Burgin and featured in Portfolio Vol. 5 from Berroco. This is Version 2 of the design, rated as an Intermediate skill level project, making it an excellent choice for knitters who are comfortable with basic techniques and ready to explore more refined construction methods such as lace patterning and seamless circular knitting. The pattern is available as a downloadable PDF, offering instant access for knitters eager to cast on right away.

What Is Being Made

The Juniper Top is a lightweight, wearable knitted top designed with a relaxed yet elegant silhouette. It is shown in a finished bust measurement of 36 inches and is available in six sizes ranging from 32 to 52 inches in finished bust circumference. Finished lengths range from 19 to 23¾ inches depending on the size chosen. The garment is designed with approximately 2 to 4 inches of positive ease, giving it a comfortable, slightly relaxed fit. Knitters are encouraged to take this ease allowance into careful consideration when selecting their size.

Techniques Used

The Juniper Top employs a range of techniques that make it a rewarding project for intermediate knitters. Key construction and technique highlights include:

• Circular knitting in the round – the top is worked seamlessly using circular needles, which eliminates the need for seaming and creates a smooth, polished finish.
• Lace patterning – a central design element of the top, the lace pattern adds delicate texture and visual interest to the fabric. Working lace in the round requires attention to stitch counts and pattern repeats, making this an engaging challenge for intermediate knitters.
• Stockinette stitch – used alongside the lace sections to provide a clean, classic background fabric.
• Sleeve stitch holding – sleeve stitches are placed on waste yarn during construction, a technique common in seamless top-down or hybrid garment construction.
• Stitch marker placement – the pattern calls for 8 stitch markers, including one unique marker to indicate the beginning of the round, which is essential for tracking pattern repeats and shaping in circular knitting.
• Double pointed needle (DPN) work – a set of four double pointed needles is required, likely used for finishing smaller circumference sections such as sleeve openings or neckline details.

Stitches Used

• Lace Pattern – the primary decorative stitch pattern of the garment. Lace knitting typically involves a combination of yarn overs and decreases to create an open, airy fabric with intricate visual texture.
• Stockinette Stitch (St st) – a foundational knitting stitch created by knitting on right-side rows and purling on wrong-side rows (or knitting every round when worked in the round), producing a smooth, flat fabric surface.

Gauge

Achieving the correct gauge is essential for this pattern. The specified gauges are:

• 17 stitches and 27 rows = 2¾ inches in the Lace Pattern using the larger needle (size 7 / 4.50 mm)
• 20 stitches and 27 rows = 4 inches in Stockinette Stitch using the larger needle (size 7 / 4.50 mm)

As with any garment pattern, knitters are strongly encouraged to swatch and check gauge before beginning, as even small variations can significantly affect the finished dimensions of the top.

Materials – Yarn, Needles, and Notions

The Juniper Top is worked in Berroco Remix Light, a DK weight yarn sold in 100-gram skeins. The colorway shown in the pattern is #6991 Juniper, a shade that lends the design its name. Depending on the size being knitted, the pattern requires 2 to 3 balls of yarn — specifically