La Savina in Berroco - Downloadable PDF

La Savina Sweater Knitting Pattern by Berroco Design Team

La Savina is an intermediate-level knitted sweater pattern designed by the Berroco Design Team, available as a downloadable PDF. This thoughtfully constructed pullover is worked in a distinctive sideways construction, making it a rewarding and technique-expanding project for knitters who are ready to move beyond straightforward top-down or bottom-up methods.

What Is Being Made

La Savina is a classic pullover sweater with set-in sleeves, worked in two mirrored sections. The finished garment is designed with a comfortable fit in mind, offering a recommended positive ease of approximately 2–4 inches (5–10 cm). It is available in a generous range of nine sizes, with finished bust measurements spanning from 38 to 70 inches (96.5 to 178 cm). Finished lengths range from approximately 21 to 23 inches (53.5 to 58.5 cm) depending on size. The sample shown in the pattern is knitted in size 38 inches (96.5 cm).

Construction and Techniques

What sets La Savina apart is its sideways construction. Rather than being worked from the hem upward or the neck downward, the sweater is knitted in two separate sections, each beginning at a sleeve cuff and worked outward toward the center front and center back of the body. The two completed sections are then joined using a 3-needle bind-off, a technique that creates a neat, seamless-looking join while simultaneously closing the final seam. This approach gives the fabric a horizontal stitch orientation across the body, which can create a subtly different drape and visual texture compared to traditionally constructed sweaters.

The pattern is classified as seamed and worked flat, meaning the body and sleeve sections are knitted back and forth in rows rather than in the round. However, the sleeves are worked in the round using double-pointed needles or the knitter's preferred method for working small circumferences, which allows for a smooth, join-free sleeve tube from the cuff upward.

• Sideways construction: Each half is worked from sleeve cuff to center body
• Flat knitting: Sections are worked back and forth in rows
• Sleeves worked in the round: Using double-pointed needles or an alternative small-circumference method
• 3-needle bind-off: Used to join the two halves at center front and center back
• Seamed finishing: The construction involves seaming to complete the garment

Stitches Used

The primary stitch throughout La Savina is Stockinette stitch (St st), worked both flat (knit on right side, purl on wrong side) and in the round (knit every round). Stockinette stitch creates a smooth, classic fabric surface that showcases the sheen and texture of the yarn beautifully. The pattern notes that work begins with a purl row in certain sections, indicating the wrong-side start typical of flat Stockinette construction.

• Stockinette stitch (flat): Main fabric stitch for body sections
• Stockinette stitch (in the round): Used for sleeve construction

Materials: Yarn, Needles, and Notions

La Savina is designed specifically for Berroco Lumi, a DK weight yarn sold in 50-gram balls. The sample is shown in colorway #8105 Clover Honey. Depending on size, the pattern calls for between 8 and 15 balls of Berroco Lumi, making it a moderately yarn-intensive project. Berroco Lumi is a yarn known for its luminous quality, which lends the finished sweater a subtle sheen and refined appearance.

The recommended needle size is US size 7 / 4.5 mm, used throughout the pattern. Knitters will need:

• A 32-inch (80 cm) circular needle in size 7 / 4.5 mm for the main body sections
• A set of double-pointed needles (or preferred small-circumference alternative)