Bonnie in Berroco Chai - Downloadable PDF

Bonnie Sweater in Berroco Chai – Knitting Pattern by Amy Christoffers

Bonnie, designed by Amy Christoffers and published by Berroco, is an intermediate-level knitting pattern for a seamless pullover sweater worked in the round from the bottom up. This downloadable PDF pattern delivers a relaxed, wearable top with a clean silhouette and thoughtful construction details, making it an excellent project for knitters who are ready to move beyond beginner techniques and explore in-the-round garment shaping.

What Is Being Made

Bonnie is a pullover sweater — a classic, versatile garment suitable for everyday wear. The pattern is sized across a wide range of finished bust measurements, from 34 inches up to 70 inches (approximately 86.5 cm to 178 cm), offering ten sizes in total. The sample shown in the pattern photography is knitted in size 42" / 106.5 cm. A recommended positive ease of 2–4 inches / 5–10 cm is built into the design, giving the finished sweater a comfortable, relaxed fit rather than a close-fitting silhouette. The finished center back length ranges from approximately 22½ to 24½ inches depending on the size chosen, making this a standard-length pullover that falls at or just below the hip.

Construction and Techniques

The construction method is a key feature of this pattern. Bonnie is worked from the bottom up, entirely in the round, which means the knitter works in continuous circles rather than back and forth in flat rows. This approach minimizes seaming and creates a smooth, uninterrupted fabric on the right side. Working in the round is a hallmark of modern seamless sweater construction and is well-suited to knitters who prefer to avoid sewing up side seams at the end of a project.

• Bottom-up construction: The body is cast on at the lower hem and worked upward toward the yoke, allowing the knitter to try the garment on as they go for fit adjustments.
• Sleeve edgings worked separately: Two sleeve edgings are knitted independently before being joined to the body, a technique that creates a neat, integrated finish at the cuffs.
• Stitch holders and waste yarn: Live stitches are placed on waste yarn at key construction points, a standard seamless knitting technique used to hold stitches while other sections are worked.
• Stitch markers: Four stitch markers are used throughout, including one in a contrasting color to mark the beginning of the round — an essential organizational tool when working circularly.
• Gauge swatch: The pattern strongly emphasizes checking gauge before beginning, which is particularly important for a garment with this many size options and precise shaping.

Stitches Used

Bonnie relies on a focused set of stitches that are accessible to intermediate knitters while producing a polished, professional result.

• Stockinette stitch (St st): The primary stitch pattern used throughout the body of the sweater. When worked in the round, stockinette is produced by knitting every round, resulting in the smooth, classic V-stitch fabric familiar on most everyday knitwear. The gauge for this pattern is set in stockinette: 21 stitches and 30 rounds = 4 inches / 10 cm on the larger needle.
• Garter stitch edging: The sleeve edgings are worked flat over 7 rows in garter stitch — achieved by knitting every row — which creates a firm, non-rolling border that lies flat and adds a subtle textural contrast to the stockinette body.
• Purl rounds: The lower body hem features alternating purl and knit rounds, creating a garter-like ridge effect when worked in the round. This detail adds a tidy, structured finish to the cast-on edge without requiring a separate ribbing pattern.

Materials

The pattern is written specifically for Berroco Chai, a DK weight yarn sold in 50-gram balls. The sample is knitted in colorway #8641 Tomatillo. Depending on the size being made, the pattern calls for between 6 and 10 balls of Berroco Chai, with larger sizes naturally requiring more yardage. Berroco Chai is a yarn designed to offer good stitch definition and a pleasant hand, qualities that complement the