Women Short Sleeved Sweater in Bergere de France Coton Fifty - 71136-275 - Downloadable PDF

Women's Short Sleeved Sweater in Bergère de France Coton Fifty – Pattern 71136-275

This downloadable PDF knitting pattern from Bergère de France provides instructions for a women's short sleeved sweater worked in a relaxed, casual style that is perfectly suited to beginners. The design is rated easy/beginner difficulty, making it an excellent project for those who are new to garment knitting or who want a straightforward, satisfying make. The sweater is constructed in one piece, beginning with the Front and continuing through to the Back, which keeps seaming to a minimum and simplifies the overall construction process.

What Is Being Made

The pattern produces a women's pullover sweater with short sleeves, featuring a simple silhouette with integrated short sleeves that are shaped by casting on and casting off stitches at the sides of the body rather than being knitted separately. The neckline is finished with a cast-off edge. The sweater is available in five sizes: S, M, L, XL, and XXL, with finished measurements ranging across chest widths of approximately 44–62 cm and total lengths of approximately 52–60 cm, making it a versatile pattern suitable for a wide range of body types.

Construction Method

The sweater is worked in one piece, starting with the Front. This construction approach means that knitters work the Front section first, shaping the short sleeves by casting on stitches at each side, then continue upward to the shoulders and neck. The Back is then worked in the same manner, with the short sleeves cast off at each side to return to the original stitch count. Once the knitting is complete, the only finishing required is sewing the sleeve and side seams and weaving in the ends — a minimal finishing process that is ideal for beginners.

• Front: Cast on between 70 and 98 stitches depending on size, work in Garter Stitch until the piece measures 33–36 cm, then cast on 11 stitches at the beginning of the next two rows to form the short sleeves. Continue until the work reaches approximately 52–60 cm total, then shape the shoulders and neck by casting off the central neck stitches and working each shoulder separately.
• Back: Cast on the same number of stitches as the Front, work in Garter Stitch, add the sleeve stitches in the same way, then cast them off at the end of the sleeve section. Continue until the Back matches the Front length, then cast off all stitches on the wrong side.
• Finishing: Sew sleeve and side seams, then secure and weave in all ends.

Techniques Used

The primary construction techniques in this pattern are accessible and well within the reach of a beginner knitter. Key techniques include:

• Casting on and casting off stitches mid-row to shape the short sleeves
• Knitting in the round equivalent — the flat, one-piece construction means all shaping is done on straight needles
• Shoulder and neck shaping by dividing stitches and casting off the neck stitches separately
• Seaming sleeve and side seams upon completion
• Working with double yarn — two strands of yarn are held together throughout the entire project, which gives the fabric extra body and warmth while allowing a lighter-weight yarn to be used on larger needles

Stitches Used

The entire sweater is worked in a single stitch pattern, making it an ideal project for beginners who are still building their knitting vocabulary:

• Garter Stitch (G.St): Every row is knitted. This is the most fundamental of all knitting stitches and produces a reversible, slightly ridged fabric with good elasticity and drape. Because every row is a knit row, there is no need to purl, which significantly reduces complexity. Garter Stitch also lies flat naturally, eliminating the curling edges that can occur with Stockinette Stitch.

Materials – Yarn, Needles, and Tension

The pattern is designed specifically for Bergère de France Coton Fifty, a 4-ply weight yarn in the colourway Pâture (shade 54710)