Petite Knit Zipper Sweater Junior - Knitting Pattern

The Zipper Sweater Junior is worked from the top down. The collar is worked in rib, then folded double and knitted together. The yoke is worked with raglan increases, first back and forth on circular needles to create the slit for the zipper, then in the round on the circular needles. The body and the sleeves are worked in the round. Finally, a facing for the zipper is worked from resting stitches, so the zipper, after being sewn in, also looks presentable from the WS. The zipper is sewn in between the two layers of knitting – either by hand or on a sewing machine.

Begin by working a swatch to determine which needle size you need to achieve the correct gauge.

Size guide

The Zipper Sweater Junior is designed to have approx. 25 cm [9¾ inches] of positive ease. The sizes 1-2 (2-3) 3-4 (4-5) 5-6 (6-7) 7-8 (8-9) 9-10 (10-12) 12-14 years are designed to fit a chest circumference of approx. 53 (54) 56 (57) 59 (62) 64 (68) 72 (78) 82 cm [20¾ (21¼) 22 (22½) 23¼ (24½) 25¼ (26¾) 28¼ (30¾) 32¼ inches]. The measurements for the finished garment are listed on the front page of the pattern (please note that these measurements are only achieved if the sweater is knitted in the correct gauge). If the recipient measures 56 cm [22 inches] around the chest, you should knit a size 3-4 years. Size 3-4 years has a chest circumference of 81 cm [32 inches] which will, in this example, give 25 cm [9¾ inches] of positive ease. 

If the measured chest circumference deviates from the age guide, you can adjust the lengths to the person you’re knitting for. The same applies if the child is short/taller than average. Schematics can be found here.

Sizes: 1-2 (2-3) 3-4 (4-5) 5-6 (6-7) 7-8 (8-9) 9-10 (10-12) 12-14 years 

Bust circumference: 75 (76) 81 (84) 84 (88) 88 (93) 93 (101) 107 cm [29½ (30) 32 (33) 33 (34¾) 34¾ (36½) 36½ (39¾) 42¼ inches]

Length: 36 (38) 42 (44) 45 (48) 49 (50) 52 (54) 58 cm [14¼ (15) 16½ (17¼) 17¾ (19) 19¼ (19¾) 20½ (21¼) 22¾ inches] (measured mid back excl. collar)

Gauge: 15 sts x 21 rows = 10 x 10 cm [4 x 4 inches] in stockinette stitch on 5 mm [US8] needles after wash and blocking. 

Needles: Circular needles: 5 mm [US8] / 60 and 80 cm [24 and 32 inches] and two circular needles 4 mm [US6] / 80 cm [32 inches]. Double-pointed needles: 5 mm [US8] and 4.5 mm [US7] (unless the Magic Loop technique is used) 

Materials: 200 (200-300) 300 (300) 300 (300) 300-400 (400) 400 (400) 500 g Håndværksgarn by Hjelholts Uldspinderi (100 g = 200 m [219 yds]) or 200 (250) 300 (300) 300 (300) 350 (400) 450 (450) 500 g Peruvian Highland Wool by Filcolana (50 g = 100 m [109 yds]) held together with 50 (50-100) 100 (100) 100 (100) 100 (100) 100 (100) 150 g Alpaca 1 by Isager Yarn (50 g = 400 m [437 yds]) or 50 (75) 75 (75) 75 (75) 100 (100) 100 (100) 125 g Tilia by Filcolana (25 g = 212 m [232 yds]) or Tynn Silk Mohair by Sandnes Yarn (25 g = 212 m [232 yds])

Zipper 6 mm, 35 cm.