Berroco Tourmaline PDF

Berroco Tourmaline Crochet Sweater Pattern by Brenda York

About This Pattern

The Berroco Tourmaline is a beautifully crafted crochet pullover sweater designed by Brenda York and published by Berroco. This intermediate-level pattern produces an elegant, lace-textured pullover worked in a distinctive shell stitch construction. The design is available as a downloadable PDF, making it instantly accessible for crocheters ready to begin their next project. With nine sizes ranging from a 36" to 68" finished bust measurement, this pattern is genuinely size-inclusive and suitable for a wide range of body types.

What Is Being Made

The finished garment is a pullover sweater featuring an all-over lace shell stitch pattern that gives the fabric an open, airy, and visually striking texture. The sweater is designed with approximately 4–6 inches of positive ease, lending it a relaxed, comfortable fit. Finished lengths range from approximately 23½" to 26½" depending on the size chosen, making it a versatile mid-length pullover suitable for layering or wearing on its own.

Sizes and Finished Measurements

• Bust sizes: (36, 40, 44) [48, 52, 56] {60, 64, 68} inches / (91.5, 101.5, 112) [122, 132, 142] {152.5, 162.5, 173} cm
• Length: (23½, 24, 24) [24½, 24½, 25] {25½, 26, 26½} inches / (60, 61, 61) [62, 63.5, 65] {65, 66, 67.5} cm
• The sample shown in the pattern photography is worked in size 40" / 101.5 cm
• Recommended ease is approximately 4–6 inches of positive ease, so crocheters should size up from their actual bust measurement accordingly

Construction Technique

One of the most interesting and distinctive features of the Tourmaline pattern is its construction method. Rather than being worked from the bottom hem upward in the conventional manner, the entire garment is worked sideways in one piece, beginning at the left edge and ending at the right edge. This sideways construction creates a unique visual flow for the shell stitch pattern, with the lace running horizontally across the body. The garment is worked flat and then seamed, meaning individual sections are crocheted back and forth in rows before being joined together to form the finished pullover. This approach is well-suited to intermediate crocheters who are comfortable with seaming and reading multi-row stitch patterns.

Stitches and Pattern Stitch Details

The primary stitch used throughout the Tourmaline pullover is a shell stitch worked in a repeating lace pattern. The pattern stitch is built on a multiple of 3 stitches plus 2, and uses the following key elements:

• Half double crochet (hdc): The foundational stitch used throughout the pattern, both within the shell construction and at edges
• Chain-1 spaces (ch-1 sp): Used to create the open, lacy structure between shell clusters
• Shell stitch: Defined in the pattern as [hdc, ch 1, hdc] worked into a chain-1 space, creating a paired cluster with an open center that forms the signature lace texture
• Chain-3 turning chain: Used at the beginning of each pattern row to maintain stitch height and structure

The Set Up Row establishes the foundation of chain-1 spaces into which subsequent shell rows are worked. From Row 2 onward, the pattern is a single repeating row, making it rhythmic and enjoyable to memorize once the initial setup is complete. The lace shell pattern produces a fabric that is both visually elegant and relatively quick to work up given the open structure of the stitches.

Techniques Used

• Lace crochet: The all-over shell and chain-space construction creates a delicate lace fabric with excellent drape
• Worked flat: All sections are croch