Turmeric Sweater in Berroco Ultra Wool Handpaint & Berroco Aerial - Downloadable PDF

Turmeric Sweater by Amy Christoffers

What Is Being Made

The Turmeric Sweater is an intermediate-level knitted pullover designed by Amy Christoffers. This garment is available in nine sizes, ranging from 36 inches to 68 inches in bust circumference, with finished lengths between 22 and 24 inches measured down the center back. The sweater is shown in the 41½-inch size and is designed with approximately 8 inches of positive ease for a comfortable, relaxed fit.

Construction Techniques

This sweater employs a seamless, top-down construction method, combining both flat and in-the-round knitting techniques. The top-down approach allows knitters to try on the garment as they work and easily adjust the length to their preference. The combination of working flat and in-the-round provides flexibility in shaping the body and sleeves while maintaining the seamless aesthetic that characterizes modern sweater design.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The primary stitch pattern used throughout the Turmeric Sweater is Stockinette stitch, which creates a smooth, classic fabric with a flat appearance on the right side. Stockinette stitch is worked by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side when working flat, or by knitting every round when working in-the-round. This fundamental stitch provides an excellent canvas for showcasing the beautiful hand-painted colorways of the yarn.

Yarn and Materials

The Turmeric Sweater combines two distinct Berroco yarns to create its finished fabric. Berroco Ultra Wool Handpaint serves as the primary yarn, with quantities ranging from 5 to 10 balls depending on size, each ball weighing 100 grams. The colorway used is #33302 Cider (C1), which provides the base color and structure. This yarn is held together with Berroco Aerial, a lighter-weight lace yarn available in #3435 Goldenrod (C2), with 4 to 8 balls required per size, each ball weighing 25 grams. Knitting these two yarns together creates a blended fabric that combines the warmth and durability of worsted weight with the airiness and drape of lace weight.

Needles and Gauge

The pattern calls for both circular needles and double-pointed needles in sizes 7 (4.5 mm) and 8 (5 mm). The 16-inch and 32-inch circular needles accommodate different sections of the sweater, while the double-pointed needles are used for smaller circumferences, such as the sleeves. The recommended gauge is 17 stitches and 26 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) in Stockinette stitch on the larger needles with both C1 and C2 held together. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for obtaining the finished measurements specified in the pattern.

Additional Materials

Beyond yarn and needles, the pattern requires one stitch marker to track pattern repeats and construction points, as well as waste yarn to temporarily hold sleeve stitches during the seamless construction process. These notions are standard in modern sweater knitting and allow for the smooth, efficient assembly of the garment.