Jimmy Jab Jumper by Jacki Badger

Jimmy Jab Jumper

Knitting
January 2021
DK (11 wpi) ?
21 stitches and 26 rows = 4 inches
in Stocking stitch in the round
US 4 - 3.5 mm
US 6 - 4.0 mm
492 - 1012 yards (450 - 925 m)
2-4y, 4-6y, 6-8y, 8-10y, 10-12y
English
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With comfy, seamless construction, and colourful stripes, the Jimmy Jab Jumper is set to be a staple of kids’ wardrobes. And it’s simple to knit; the circular yoke gives the look of fancy colourwork, without any of the stress of stranded knitting.

The Jimmy Jab Jumper is designed using mosaic knitting, so you’re only ever working with one colour per round. That means no floats to worry about – or to catch little fingers in.

The pattern includes exactly how much yarn you’ll need for each coloured stripe, so it’s easy to customise with little scraps of favourite colours. Or, if you fancy going for a two-tone look, just use one colour for the provided total amount of contrast yarn.

Sized to fit kids from 2-12 years, Jimmy Jab is knitted from the top down, and is totally seam free – making it super comfortable to wear. And it’s easy to get the perfect, personalised jumper, as kids can try it on at every stage to make sure it’s the right length and fit. Assuming you can get them to stay still long enough, that is.

Key information

The Jimmy Jab jumper is knitted top-down, in the round. It uses DK weight yarn, so works up quickly and is nice and warm to wear. The back neck is raised with German Short Rows for a comfy fit, and increases are worked in the top stocking stitch part of the yoke, so you don’t need to worry about increasing and working pattern at the same time. The sleeves are then placed on hold, and the body worked to the hem, before the sleeves are completed.

The pattern includes instructions for multiples sizes, with instructions written as “2-4y (4-6y, 6-8y, 8-10y, 10-12y)”. Make sure you’re following the instructions for your chosen size.

Suggested yarn: The samples are knitted in Rico Essentials Merino DK (120m 133yds per 50g ball)- a soft, machine-washable yarn that’s great for kids. The rainbow coloured panels use scraps of Eden Cottage Yarns Milburn DK.

The pattern will work with most DK-weight yarns – just be sure to check that your gauge matches. As the jumper is for kids, you might want to look for something that’s hard wearing and machine washable.

Finished size
The Jimmy Jab jumper is designed to fit with 1-3in of positive ease for a comfy fit, and a bit of growing room.

The pattern contains a table with full measurements of the finished sweater, but chest measurements of the finished jumper are listed below. If you’re not sure which size to pick, then I’d recommend measuring a favourite sweater and going with the size that’s the closest match.

2-4y 60cm (24in)
4-6y 62cm (25in)
6-8y 67cm (27in)
8-10y 75cm (30in)
10-12y 80cm (32in)

Yarn requirements:
2-4y
MC: 385m (421yds) CC per stripe: 10m (11yds) CC total: 60m (66yds)
4-6y
MC: 500m (547yds) CC per stripe: 11.5m (12.75yds) CC total: 80.5m (88yds)
6-8y
MC: 570m (623yds) CC per stripe: 12m (13yds) CC total: 84m (92yds)
8-10y
MC: 670m (732yds) CC per stripe: 13.5m (14.75yds) CC total: 108m (118yds)
10-12y
MC: 795m (870yds) CC per stripe: 14.5m (16yds) CC total: 130.5m (143yds)

Suggested needles (and notions):

  • 3.5mm (US 4), 4mm (US 6), and 4.5mm (US 7) circular needles - 40cm (16in) long for sizes 2-4y and 4-6y, or 60cm (24in) for all other sizes
  • double pointed needles, or long circular for magic loop stitch marker
  • tapestry needle.

Gauge: 21sts and 26 rows to 10cm (4in) over stocking stitch, knit in the round using 4mm needles, AND over colourwork using 4.5mm. (Your row gauge will be smaller over the colourwork, but this is accounted for in the pattern)