Boy Sweater in Bergere de France Sport - M1162 - Downloadable PDF

Boy's Nautical Sweater Knitting Pattern – Bergère de France Sport (M1162)

This downloadable PDF pattern from Bergère de France presents a classic Pull Marin – a traditional French sailor-style boy's sweater worked in the brand's own Sport yarn weight (aran weight). Designed for boys aged 2 to 10 years, the pattern is rated intermediate difficulty and is a wonderful project for knitters who are comfortable with basic shaping, colourwork, and finishing techniques. The design captures the timeless nautical aesthetic beloved in French knitwear tradition, making it a versatile wardrobe staple for children.

About Bergère de France

Bergère de France is a French yarn manufacturer with over 70 years of heritage, producing yarn at the heart of the Lorraine region since 1946. Each year, more than 8 million balls are produced across more than 50 qualities and hundreds of shades. Choosing this pattern means supporting a brand committed to local, French-made production. The yarns used in this pattern are all part of the Bergère de France range, blended and dyed in-house to create distinctive, high-quality results.

What Is Being Made

The pattern produces a boy's pullover sweater in a nautical or sailor style (Pull Marin). The sweater features set-in sleeves, ribbed edgings, a shaped neckline, and a button placket at the shoulder or neck opening – a classic detail on traditional French children's knitwear. The finished garment is sized to fit boys from 2 through to 10 years, with five sizes provided across the pattern. Finished chest measurements range from approximately 52 cm to 68 cm, making it suitable for a wide range of ages and builds.

Sizes and Measurements

• Sizes available: 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 years
• Construction: The back and front panels are worked flat, with sleeve pieces worked separately and then assembled
• Shoulder button fastening: 3 navy buttons, 13 mm diameter (reference 50049), are used for the shoulder or neck placket opening
• Measurements are given in centimetres throughout the pattern

Techniques Used

This is a flat knitting pattern, meaning all pieces – the back, front, and sleeves – are worked back and forth in rows on straight or circular needles rather than in the round. Key techniques include:

• Ribbing: A 1×1 rib (côtes 1/1) is worked at the cast-on edges for approximately 7 rows to create neat, stretchy welts at the hem and cuffs
• Armhole shaping: Set-in armhole shaping is worked on both the back and front panels using standard bind-off and decrease methods
• Neckline shaping: The front neckline is shaped with bind-offs and decreases to create a neat crew or sailor-style neck opening
• Shoulder seaming and assembly: The right shoulder is assembled first as part of the finishing sequence, with the remaining stitches held on a stitch holder while the neckband is completed
• Colourwork: The design uses multiple yarn colours worked in stripes or colour blocks, requiring yarn management and clean colour changes across rows
• Button band finishing: Three navy buttons are sewn on as part of the shoulder or neck placket, a traditional feature of the Pull Marin style
• Seaming and finishing: Pieces are sewn together using mattress stitch or similar seaming methods to join shoulders, side seams, and sleeve seams

Stitches Used

• Knit and purl stitches – the foundation of all flat knitting in this pattern
• 1×1 Rib stitch (côtes 1/1) – alternating knit one, purl one, used at hems and cuffs for elasticity and a neat finish
• Stocking stitch / stockinette – the main body fabric, worked in alternating knit and purl rows to create a smooth, classic surface ideal for displaying the nautical