The Zipper Sweater Light – 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

Zipper Sweater Light - Junior is designed to have approx. 20 cm [7¾ inches] of positive ease, meaning that it is designed to be approx. 20 cm \7¾ inches] larger in circumference than the chest measurement of the body. The sizes 3-4 (4-5) 5-6 (6-7) 7-8 (8-10) 10-12 (12-14) 14-16 years have an approx. chest circumference of 56 (57) 59 (62) 64 (72) 78 (80) 85 cm [22 (22½) 23¼ (24½) 25¼ (28¼) 30¾ (31½) 33½ inches]. The measurements for the finished sweater are listed on the first page of the pattern (please note that these measurements only apply if the correct gauge is maintained). For example, if you/the recipient of the sweater measures 59 cm [23¼ inches] around the chest, you should knit a size 5-6 years. A sweater in size 5-6 years has a chest circumference of 81 cm [32 inches] which in the given example would give you 22 cm [8¾ inches] of positive ease. If the chest measurement that you measure on the body differs from the age guide, you should take care to adjust the length to the person you’re knitting for. The same thing applies if the child is taller or shorter than average.

Sizes: 3-4 (4-5) 5-6 (6-7) 7-8 (8-10) 10-12 (12-14) 14-16 years

Bust circumference: 75 (77) 81 (83) 85 (89) 95 (101) 105 cm \29½ (30¼) 32 (32¾) 33½ (35) 37½ (39¾) 41¼ inches]

Length: 40 (42) 44 (46) 48 (50) 52 (54) 56 cm [15¾ (16½) 17¼ (18) 19 (19¾) 20½ (21¼) 22 inches] (measured mid back excl. collar)

Gauge: 20 sts x 28 rows = 10 x 10 cm [4 x 4 inches] in stockinette stitch on 4 mm [US6] needles after wash and blocking

Needles: Circular needles: 3 mm [US2½] / 80 cm [32 inches], 3.5 mm [US4] / 80 cm [32 inches] and 4 mm [US6] / 40, 60 and/or 80 cm [16, 24 and/or 32 inches]. Double-pointed needles: 4 mm [US6] and 3.5 mm [US4] (unless the Magic Loop technique is used)

Materials: 300 (350) 400 (400) 450 (500) 550 (600) 650 g Peer Gynt by Sandnes Garn (50 g = 91 m [98 yds]). 6 mm zipper, 35 cm [13¾ inches].

Difficulty: ★ ★ ★ ★ (4 out of 5)

See the classification of difficulty here.

The grey Zipper Sweater Light - Junior is knitted in Peer Gynt by Sandnes Garn in the color Gråmelert 1042.