Elms Pullover in Berroco Pima Soft - Downloadable PDF

Elms Pullover in Berroco Pima Soft — Knitting Pattern Summary

The Elms Pullover is a beautifully designed colorwork knitting pattern created by Åsa Buchta and published by Berroco. Rated as an Easy skill level, this pattern is an excellent choice for beginner to intermediate knitters who want to explore colorwork in a relaxed, wearable silhouette. The pullover is worked in Berroco Pima Soft, a DK-weight yarn, and features a classic, comfortable fit with a generous recommended ease of approximately 4–8 inches (10–20 cm) of positive ease, making it a cozy, relaxed everyday garment.

Garment Overview

The Elms Pullover is a seamless pullover sweater available in a wide range of sizes to suit many body types. It is offered in 10 sizes, with finished bust measurements ranging from 34½ inches (87.5 cm) to 70½ inches (179 cm). The garment length ranges from approximately 23 to 25¾ inches (58.5–65.5 cm) depending on the size chosen. The sample shown in the pattern photography is knitted in size 3, with a finished bust of 42½ inches (108 cm), modeled with approximately 8 inches of positive ease for a relaxed, modern fit.

Construction Method

The Elms Pullover is constructed using a combination of in-the-round and flat knitting techniques, making it an approachable project for knitters building their skills:

• Body: The body is worked in the round from the bottom up to the underarms, allowing for seamless, efficient construction with minimal finishing.
• Upper Body: After reaching the underarms, the work is divided for the back and front, which are then worked flat separately to shape the upper portion of the pullover.
• Sleeves: Sleeve stitches are picked up around the armholes and worked downward in the round, creating a tidy, set-in look without the need for complex seaming.

This top-down sleeve approach combined with a bottom-up body is a practical construction method that allows knitters to try on the garment as they work and adjust fit easily before completing the sleeves.

Techniques Used

Knitters working on the Elms Pullover will practice and apply several key techniques:

• Knitting in the round — used for the body and sleeves, eliminating the need for side seams
• Flat knitting — used for the upper back and front sections after dividing at the underarms
• Colorwork — the pattern uses three colors (Chiffon, Powder, and Navy), suggesting stranded or intarsia-style color patterning to create the design's visual interest
• Picking up stitches — sleeve stitches are picked up around the armhole edges for seamless sleeve construction
• Gauge swatching and blocking — gauge is measured after blocking, making proper swatching and wet or steam blocking an important part of the process

Stitches Used

The primary stitch used throughout the Elms Pullover is Stockinette stitch (St st), which forms the smooth, classic fabric of the pullover body and sleeves. The gauge is set at 20 stitches and 28 rows to 4 inches (10 cm) in Stockinette stitch on the larger needles. Ribbing or other edging stitches are likely used for the cuffs, hem, and neckline, as is standard for pullovers of this construction style.

Yarn and Materials

The Elms Pullover is designed specifically for Berroco Pima Soft, a DK-weight yarn sold in 50 g balls. This yarn is made with Pima cotton, known for its soft hand, subtle sheen, and excellent stitch definition — qualities that make it ideal for showcasing colorwork and Stockinette fabric. Three color