MillaMia Zoey Jumper Knitting Pattern

MillaMia Zoey Jumper: Intermediate Knit Sweater with Stranded Colorwork

What is Being Made

The MillaMia Zoey Jumper is a classic pullover sweater designed for intermediate knitters. This garment features a striking chevron design created through stranded colorwork techniques, offering a modern aesthetic with traditional construction methods. The jumper is available in seven sizes, ranging from UK 8 (US 4) to UK 22 (US 18), with finished chest measurements from 41¾ inches to 68 inches. The design includes a crew neckline and long sleeves, with a finished sleeve length of 43 centimeters (17 inches) across all sizes. Back length measurements range from 18½ inches to 22 inches depending on size selection.

Techniques Used

The Zoey Jumper employs several intermediate-level knitting techniques that create both visual interest and structural integrity. The garment is worked flat on straight needles, meaning pieces are knitted in flat rows rather than in the round, allowing for easier colorwork management. The stranded colorwork technique is the signature feature, where two colors are carried across the row to create the chevron pattern; this method requires careful tension management to ensure even fabric and prevent puckering. The jumper is constructed using the bottom-up method, beginning with the ribbed hem and working upward to the shoulders, which is a traditional approach that allows for easy length adjustments during knitting. All pieces are seamed together after completion, creating neat, professional-looking joins at the underarms and shoulders. The design incorporates buttonhole construction along the front opening, with buttons used as functional closures, transforming this pullover into a cardigan-style garment.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch throughout the Zoey Jumper is stocking stitch (stockinette stitch in US terminology), which creates the smooth, classic fabric that showcases the stranded colorwork pattern. Stocking stitch is formed by alternating knit rows and purl rows when working flat, producing the characteristic V-shaped texture on the right side. The ribbed edges—at the cuffs, hem, and neckline—are created using knit and purl combinations in a 1x1 or similar rib pattern, which provides elasticity and helps the garment maintain its shape during wear and washing. The pattern utilizes standard abbreviations including knit (k), purl (p), increase (inc), decrease (dec), and slip-knit-pass-over (skpo) for shaping at the armholes and neckline. The buttonholes are worked using yarn forward (yf) and decrease techniques to create openings for the buttons.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Zoey Jumper is designed to be knitted in MillaMia Naturally Soft Aran, an Aran-weight yarn available exclusively through Lovecrafts. Aran weight is a medium-heavy yarn that knits quickly, making this project suitable for intermediate knitters seeking reasonable completion time. Yarn quantities vary by size: the smallest size requires 9 balls of the main color (Doe 252, color A) and 2 balls of the contrast color (Mist 225, color B), while the largest size requires 18 balls of the main color and 3 balls of the contrast color. Each ball contains 50 grams or 1¾ ounces of yarn. The pattern specifies 4.5mm (US 7) knitting needles for the ribbed sections and 5mm (US 8) knitting needles for the main fabric. For larger sizes, 4.5mm and 5mm circular needles are recommended for working backwards and forwards, accommodating the wider stitch counts. The pattern requires 4 to 6 buttons depending on size, which serve as functional closures along the front opening.

Tension and Sizing Information

Achieving the correct tension is essential for this project. The pattern specifies a tension of 18 stitches and 24 rows to 10 centimeters (4 inches) over stocking stitch using 5mm (US 8) needles. This tension measurement ensures that the finished garment matches the intended dimensions and that the stranded colorwork pattern displays correctly. The pattern provides detailed finished measurements for each size, allowing knitters to select the appropriate size based on desired fit. The cover model, wearing UK size 16 (US 12), demonstrates the third size option with a finished chest measurement of 128 centimeters (50½ inches).

Color Options and Design Variations

While the primary colorway features Doe