Broken Rib Sweater in BC Garn Baby Alpaca - 2445BC - Downloadable PDF

Broken Rib Sweater in BC Garn Baby Alpaca – Pattern Summary (Design 2445BC by Jytte Slente)

The Broken Rib Sweater is a beautifully textured pullover sweater designed by Jytte Slente and published by BC Garn as pattern number 2445BC. This is a free downloadable PDF pattern suitable for intermediate knitters who are comfortable working in the round, managing increases and decreases, and reading a repeating stitch pattern. The design is worked in a luxuriously soft 3-ply Baby Alpaca yarn, giving the finished garment a lightweight, breathable quality with a beautiful drape and natural sheen.

What Is Being Made

The pattern produces a seamless circular-knit sweater with a relaxed, oversized silhouette. It is available in three sizes:

• Small: 140 cm width, 58 cm length
• Medium: 152 cm width, 63 cm length
• Large: 164 cm width, 68 cm length

The generous width measurements indicate a relaxed, oversized fit, making this sweater ideal as a cosy everyday layer. The construction is worked primarily in the round from the bottom up, with sleeves picked up and knitted along the sleeve openings after the body is complete.

Yarn and Materials

The pattern calls for BC Garn au60 Baby Alpaca, a 3-ply yarn made from 100% baby alpaca fibre. Yarn quantities required are:

• Small: 200 g
• Medium: 250 g
• Large: 250 g

Baby alpaca is prized for its exceptional softness, natural warmth, and lightweight feel. It is hypoallergenic compared to many wool fibres, making it a popular choice for next-to-skin garments. The 3-ply weight of this yarn creates a fine, delicate fabric that showcases the broken rib texture with crisp definition.

Needles

• 3.5 mm circular needles, in both 60 cm and 40 cm lengths (US size 4)
• The 60 cm needle is used for the body, while the shorter 40 cm needle is used for picking up and working the sleeves

Tension / Gauge

Achieving the correct tension is essential for a well-fitting garment. The pattern specifies 24 stitches × 36 rounds = 10 × 10 cm in pattern on 3.5 mm needles. Knitters should always work a tension swatch before beginning, adjusting needle size as needed.

Techniques Used

This pattern employs a range of knitting techniques that place it firmly in the intermediate skill level:

• Knitting in the round on circular needles, using stitch markers to track sections
• Ribbing in the round (k2, p3 and k3, p3 sequences) for the waist band and body texture
• Increases (Inc): Lifting the loop between stitches from the front with the left needle and knitting into the back of the loop – a make-one style increase that is virtually invisible
• Decreases: Including K2tog tbl (knit 2 together through the back loop), K3tog (knit 3 together), and K3tog tbl (knit 3 together through the back loop) for shaping
• Picking up and knitting stitches along the sleeve openings with right side facing, to work the sleeves seamlessly
• Icelandic cast-off: The pattern recommends this stretchy bind-off method for the neckline. It involves working k2tog tbl and returning the resulting stitch to the left needle repeatedly, producing a flexible, neat edge that complements the fine alpaca yarn