MillaMia Sanna Jumper Knitting Pattern

MillaMia Sanna Jumper: Beginner Knit Striped Sweater for Children

What is Being Made

The MillaMia Sanna Jumper is a classic children's pullover sweater designed for ages 1 to 7 years. This garment features a charming striped colorway combining French Navy, Off White, and Bluebell yarns. The jumper is sized to fit chest measurements ranging from 59cm (23 inches) for the smallest size up to 90cm (35½ inches) for the largest size, with corresponding length measurements from 35cm (13¾ inches) to 55cm (21¾ inches) from underarm to shoulder.

Construction Techniques

The Sanna Jumper is constructed using a bottom-up seamed method, meaning the knitter begins at the lower edge of the garment and works upward, with pieces later joined together using seams. The pattern is worked flat on needles rather than in the round, utilizing circular needles to accommodate the large stitch counts required for the body. An important construction note: circular needles are employed for their capacity to hold stitches, but the knitter works back and forth in rows rather than continuously in a circle, particularly when forming the sleeves.

Stitches and Stitch Techniques

The primary stitch used throughout the Sanna Jumper is stocking stitch (known as stockinette stitch in US terminology), which creates the smooth, classic fabric characteristic of traditional knitwear. The pattern incorporates stripe work, alternating between the three yarn colors to create visual interest and pattern definition. Additional stitch techniques employed include:

• Knit and purl stitches as foundational elements
• Knit two together (k2tog) for decreasing stitches
• Make one stitch (m1) for increasing stitches by picking up loops
• Cast off and bind off techniques to finish edges

Materials and Gauge

The Sanna Jumper is knitted using MillaMia Naturally Soft Cotton, a yarn exclusively available through Love Knitting. The yarn quantities vary by size: 2 to 3 balls of 50g (1¾oz) each in French Navy (color 320) and Off White (color 311), plus 1 to 2 balls of Bluebell (color 322), depending on which size is being knitted.

The pattern requires two pairs of needles: 2.75mm (US 2) needles and 3.25mm (US 3) needles, along with circular versions of both sizes to manage the stitch volume. The working gauge is 25 stitches and 34 rows to 10cm (4 inches) over stocking stitch using 3.25mm (US 3) needles. Achieving proper gauge is essential for obtaining the correct finished measurements.

Skill Level and Suitability

Classified as a Beginner level project, the Sanna Jumper is accessible to knitters new to garment construction. The straightforward bottom-up seamed approach, combined with basic stitch techniques and the use of natural cotton yarn that is forgiving to work with, makes this an ideal first sweater project for developing knitters.