Sterling Sweater in Berroco Biella

Sterling Sweater in Berroco Biella

What is Being Made

The Sterling is a knitted pullover sweater designed by Åsa Buchta and crafted from Berroco Biella yarn. This intermediate-level garment is available in nine sizes, ranging from 33 inches to 73 inches bust measurement, with finished lengths between 20¾ and 24¾ inches. The sweater is designed to be worn with 4–8 inches of positive ease for a comfortable, relaxed fit.

Knitting Techniques and Construction

The Sterling employs several fundamental knitting techniques appropriate for intermediate crafters. The pattern utilizes cable knitting, requiring a cable needle as an essential notional tool for manipulating stitches and creating textured cable patterns throughout the garment. The sweater is constructed using circular knitting on a 16-inch circular needle, which allows for seamless or minimal-seam construction depending on the pattern's specific instructions.

Stitch markers are used to track pattern repeats and shaping points, while a tapestry needle is employed for finishing techniques such as weaving in yarn ends and seaming sections if required. The pattern also references holding stitches with waste yarn, a common intermediate technique for managing live stitches during garment construction or for later grafting.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

While specific stitch abbreviations are not detailed in the available pattern excerpt, the Sterling incorporates cable stitches as a primary design element. Cable patterns are created by crossing groups of stitches over one another using a cable needle, producing the dimensional, twisted texture characteristic of cable-knit sweaters. The pattern likely combines cables with stockinette stitch or other foundational stitches to create visual interest and structure.

Yarn and Materials

The Sterling is designed specifically for Berroco Biella, a yarn available in 50-gram balls. The pattern calls for DK and sport weight yarn, making it suitable for creating a garment with moderate drape and structure. Depending on the size being knitted, the project requires between 7 and 14 balls of yarn—for example, the size 3 (43 inches) shown in the pattern photographs uses 8 balls of Berroco Biella in colorway #12903 Gray.

Needles and Gauge

The Sterling requires two needle sizes to accommodate different sections of the sweater. Size 3 (3.25 mm) needles are used for ribbed cuffs, hems, and neckline bands, where the smaller needle creates a tighter, more elastic fabric. Size 5 (3.75 mm) needles are used for the main body and sleeves to achieve the correct gauge. Knitters should adjust needle size as necessary to obtain the specified gauge of 16 stitches over 4 inches (40 cm) in the pattern stitch, ensuring proper fit and fabric characteristics.

A 16-inch circular needle in size 3 (3.25 mm) is essential for working the neckline and any ribbed edging in the round. Additional notions include a cable needle, removable stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and increases or decreases, a tapestry needle for finishing, and waste yarn for holding stitches temporarily during construction.