MillaMia Alva Jumper Knitting Pattern

MillaMia Alva Jumper

What is Being Made

The MillaMia Alva Jumper is an advanced-level knitted sweater designed for improving and experienced knitters. This garment features prominent cable work as its signature design element, combined with textured reverse stocking stitch panels. The jumper is available in four sizes to fit bust measurements from 82-86 cm (32-34 inches) up to 112-117 cm (44-46 inches), with finished bust measurements ranging from 94 cm to 124 cm (37 to 51 inches). The garment includes a 43 cm (17 inch) sleeve length and back neck depth of 59-67 cm (23¼-26¼ inches) depending on size.

Techniques Used

This jumper is constructed using several key knitting techniques that make it an excellent project for developing cable skills:

• Bottom-up construction: The garment is worked from the lower edge upward, allowing knitters to try on the piece as it progresses
• Flat knitting: All pieces are worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round
• Seamed assembly: Completed pieces are sewn together to form the finished garment
• Cable work: Multiple cable techniques are incorporated throughout, including cable 4 back (C4B), cable 4 front (C4F), twist 4 back (T4B), and twist 4 front (T4F), which involve slipping stitches onto a cable needle and crossing them over other stitches to create dimensional twisted effects
• Reverse stocking stitch: The design intentionally uses the traditionally wrong side of stocking stitch as the right side, creating a tight, textured appearance similar to garter stitch
• Ridge pattern: Additional textured patterning is incorporated throughout the design

Stitches Used

The MillaMia Alva Jumper employs a combination of fundamental and advanced stitches:

• Reverse stocking stitch: Forms the primary background texture, created by purling on right-side rows and knitting on wrong-side rows
• Cable stitches: C4B and C4F cables create the signature twisted vertical lines by crossing knit stitches over each other
• Twist stitches: T4B and T4F twists combine knit and purl stitches in crossed formations, adding visual interest and dimension
• Ridge pattern: A textured repeat pattern that complements the cable and twist elements

The pattern notes that once the cabling sequence is established, it becomes a simple repeat, making it manageable for improving knitters to maintain consistency throughout the project.

Materials

The MillaMia Alva Jumper is designed to be worked in MillaMia Naturally Soft Aran, an aran-weight yarn available exclusively through Love Knitting. Yarn quantities vary by size, requiring between 16 and 19 balls of 50g (1¾ oz) each. The pattern is shown in the colorway Ivory (221), though alternative colorways are suggested including Denim, Blush, Dusk, Stone, and Mist.

The project requires two pairs of knitting needles: 4.5mm (US 7) needles for ribbing and edge work, and 5mm (US 8) needles for the main fabric. A cable needle is essential for managing the cable and twist stitches throughout the garment.

Gauge and Tension

Achieving proper gauge is critical for this project's success. The pattern specifies three different gauge measurements depending on the stitch pattern being worked:

• 18 stitches and 24 rows over 10 cm (4 inches) in reverse stocking stitch on 5mm needles
• 30 stitches and 29 rows over 10 cm (4 inches) in the centre cable panel on 5mm needles
• 18 stitches and 27 rows over 10 cm (4 inches) in the ridge pattern on 5mm needles

Skill Development

The MillaMia Alva Jumper is specifically noted as a great cabling piece for those improving their cabling skills. The structured pattern allows knitters