MillaMia Olivia Jumper Knitting Pattern

MillaMia Olivia Jumper: Stranded Fair Isle Knit Sweater

What Is Being Made

The MillaMia Olivia Jumper is a women's pullover sweater featuring a striking Fair Isle patterned yoke. This intermediate-level knitting project combines simple stockinette stitch body sections with a decorative stranded colorwork yoke, creating a classic Nordic-inspired design. The jumper is available in eight sizes, ranging from 82cm to 117cm bust measurements, with a consistent sleeve length of 46cm and back neck lengths varying from 21¾ inches to 24¾ inches depending on size.

Techniques and Construction Method

The Olivia Jumper employs a bottom-up construction approach, meaning the garment is knitted starting from the lower body and working upward toward the shoulders. The sweater is worked flat on straight needles for the main body and sleeve pieces, then seamed together to create the finished garment. The yoke features stranded colorwork, a Fair Isle technique where multiple yarn colors are carried across the back of the work to create the intricate pattern. The yoke section transitions to working in the round using circular needles, which is a common method for seamless yoke construction in Nordic-style sweaters.

Stitches and Stitch Techniques

The primary stitch throughout the Olivia Jumper is stockinette stitch, which creates a smooth, classic fabric ideal for showcasing colorwork. The pattern includes a special abbreviation for wrap stitches, a short-row shaping technique used to create smooth curves and prevent holes in the fabric. Wrap stitches are worked on both knit-side and purl-side rows, with specific yarn-forward and yarn-back movements that allow the wrapping loop to be integrated with the wrapped stitch on subsequent rows. This technique provides elegant shaping without visible gaps.

Yarn and Materials

The Olivia Jumper is designed to be knitted using MillaMia Naturally Soft Merino, a premium yarn available exclusively through LoveCrafts. The pattern requires 8 to 13 balls of 50g (1¾oz) depending on size, with the main color (MC) being Mist (164). The Fair Isle yoke incorporates four additional colors: one ball each of Midnight (101), Blue Coral (185), Ice (125), and Tempest Blue (167). The pattern suggests alternative colorway combinations including Forget Me Not, Snow, Butterscotch, Fuchsia, and Ink options, allowing knitters to customize the design to their preferences.

Needles and Gauge

The Olivia Jumper requires 3mm (US 2) and 3.25mm (US 3) knitting needles in both straight and circular formats. Straight needles are used for flat knitting of the body and sleeves, while circular needles accommodate the in-the-round yoke construction. The pattern specifies a gauge of 26 stitches and 34 rows to 10cm (4 inches) over stockinette stitch using the 3.25mm needles. Achieving correct gauge is essential for proper fit across all eight size options.

Design Features and Colorway Options

The design philosophy emphasizes simplicity and elegance, with straightforward shaping complemented by a visually striking Fair Isle yoke. The pattern notes that the fresh spring and summer colorway shown in the photography can be adapted for different seasons—darker, more atmospheric colors from the MillaMia Naturally Soft Merino palette create a wintery aesthetic, while lighter combinations suit warmer months. This versatility makes the Olivia Jumper suitable for year-round knitting projects with seasonal color variations.