MillaMia Staffan Jumper Knitting Pattern

MillaMia Staffan Jumper: Stranded Knit Sweater Pattern

What Is Being Made

The MillaMia Staffan Jumper is a versatile winter sweater designed with longevity in mind, suitable for wearing throughout the colder months beyond its seasonal inspiration. This intermediate-level knitting project features a classic pullover silhouette available in seven size options, ranging from bust measurements of 82cm to 112cm (32in to 44in). The finished garment offers actual bust measurements from 95cm to 133cm (37½in to 52½in), with a consistent sleeve length of 43cm (17in) and body lengths ranging from 52cm to 58cm (20½in to 22¾in) depending on size selection.

Techniques Used

This sweater is constructed using a bottom-up seamed method, meaning the body and sleeves are knitted separately from the lower edges upward, then joined together with seams. The design incorporates stranded colorwork, a traditional Fair Isle technique where two colors are carried across the fabric to create patterned motifs. The garment is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, requiring careful attention to chart reading. When working from the colorwork chart, odd-numbered rows are knit rows read from right to left, while even-numbered rows are purl rows read from left to right, following standard flat knitting conventions.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch throughout the Staffan Jumper is stockinette stitch (stocking stitch in UK terminology), which creates the smooth, classic fabric base. The stranded colorwork pattern is worked entirely within stockinette stitch, with the two-color technique creating the visual interest. The pattern uses standard abbreviations including knit (k), purl (p), knit two stitches together (k2tog) for decreasing, and make one stitch (m1) for increasing, allowing shaping at key points such as armholes and neckline.

Materials and Yarn

The Staffan Jumper pattern calls for MillaMia Naturally Soft Merino, a yarn exclusively available through Love Knitting. The yarn requirements vary by size: the main color, Midnight (101), requires 6 to 9 balls of 50g (1¾oz) depending on size, while the contrast color, Snow (124), requires 3 to 5 balls. Alternative colorway options are provided, including Haze, Tempest, Ice, Sky, Ink, Mist, Grey, and Blue shades, offering creative customization possibilities.

Needles and Gauge

This pattern requires 3mm (US 2) and 3.25mm (US 3) knitting needles, with the smaller needles used for ribbed edgings and the larger needles for the main fabric. The working tension is 25 stitches and 34 rows to a 10cm (4in) square over stockinette stitch using 3.25mm (US 3) needles. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for obtaining the intended finished measurements.

Skill Level

Rated as Improving difficulty, the Staffan Jumper is suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to tackle stranded colorwork and garment construction. The combination of chart reading, color management, and seaming techniques makes this an ideal project for developing intermediate knitting abilities.