Gateshead Jumper in Berroco Mercado - 400-5 - Downloadable PDF

Gateshead Jumper in Berroco Mercado – Pattern Summary

The Gateshead Jumper is an intermediate-level knitting pattern designed by Alison Green and published by Berroco. This classically structured pullover sweater combines richly textured stitch patterns with a relaxed, comfortable silhouette, making it an excellent project for knitters who are ready to move beyond basic stockinette and explore more complex surface texture and panel work. The pattern is available as a downloadable PDF.

What Is Being Made

The Gateshead Jumper is a long-sleeved, drop-shoulder or set-in style pullover worked in pieces and seamed. It is designed with a generous fit — the sample shown is knitted in size 42½ inches with approximately 4 inches of ease. The pattern offers seven sizes, with finished chest measurements ranging from 38 to 63½ inches, making it accessible to a wide range of body types. Finished lengths range from 27 to 30 inches depending on size. The jumper features a ribbed hem, a textured body, and button detailing, with four 1-inch buttons incorporated into the design.

Techniques Used

• Flat knitting in pieces: The back, front, and sleeves are worked flat on straight needles and then seamed together, a traditional construction method well-suited to intermediate knitters building their finishing skills.
• Ribbing: A 3-inch 1×1 rib hem is worked on smaller needles before transitioning to the larger needle size for the body, creating a neat, elastic edge that draws in slightly at the cast-on.
• Chart reading: The pattern incorporates two separate stitch charts — Chart 1 (30 stitches wide, measuring approximately 5½ inches) and Chart 2 (20 stitches wide, measuring approximately 3¾ inches) — which are worked alongside sections of Moss Stitch. Reading and following charted stitch patterns is a key skill exercised throughout this project.
• Stitch marker placement: Six stitch markers are used to delineate the chart panels from the surrounding Moss Stitch sections, helping knitters track pattern repeats accurately across the row.
• Gauge management: Two different needle sizes are used — smaller needles for the ribbed borders and larger needles for the main body — requiring knitters to switch between them and check gauge carefully before beginning.
• Stitch holder use: A stitch holder is listed among the notions, indicating that stitches are held at some point during construction, typically at the neckline or shoulder shaping.
• Button band finishing: The inclusion of four buttons suggests a button band or placket detail, adding a polished, garment-quality finish to the jumper.

Stitches Used

• Moss Stitch: The primary background texture of the Gateshead Jumper is Moss Stitch, worked over an odd number of stitches in a four-row repeat. Unlike simple seed stitch, Moss Stitch creates a slightly more elongated, nubbly texture by alternating the knit-purl sequence across two rows before shifting. Row 1 (RS) begins with K1 and alternates purl and knit stitches; Rows 2 and 3 reverse to begin with P1; Row 4 repeats Row 1. This produces a beautifully dense, reversible fabric with excellent drape and stitch definition.
• 1×1 Rib: Used for the cast-on hem border, 1×1 rib alternates single knit and purl stitches on every row, producing the stretchy, structured edging typical of well-finished knitwear.
• Charted pattern stitches: Chart 1 and Chart 2 introduce additional patterned stitch work across defined panels of the body, providing visual interest and structure to the garment's front and/or back. The specific stitch motifs within the charts are detailed in the full PDF.

Materials

• Yarn: Berroco Mercado, a worsted weight