About the pattern
The Milano Zip-up is worked top-down in one piece using 4.5 mm needles. It starts with Judy’s Magic Cast-On, and the neckline is worked in twisted rib (4 twisted knit, 2 twisted purl). This section is folded in half and joined with the cast-on edge, while stitches are set aside for the zipper facing. The yoke continues in regular rib (4 knit, 2 purl) with raglan increases and short rows to raise the back neckline. Increases are worked every other row while maintaining the rib pattern. When the sleeve stitches are placed on hold, stitches are cast on for the underarm, and the body is worked back and forth to the desired length before placing stitches on hold. The sleeves are worked in the round until the split, where additional stitches are cast on and worked back and forth before finishing with a stretchy bind-off. The zipper facing is then worked from the held stitches. Once it reaches the same length as the body, the facing and body stitches are joined using a stretchy bind-off. Finally, the zipper is sewn in between the two layers of knitting – either by hand or with a sewing machine.

Sizes:
Note: Sizes are based on fitting various individuals. For a tighter fit, consider going down a size.

Milano Zip-up should have a negative ease of 10–15 cm compared to the recipient’s chest measurement.
Sizes XS (S) M (L) XL (2XL) correspond to a chest circumference of 65–70 (75–80) 85–90 (95–100) 105–110 (115–120) cm.
The finished garment has a chest width of 55 (65) 75 (85) 100 (110) cm after washing and blocking.

Suggested Needles:
4.5mm circular needles in 40cm and 60 or 80cm lengths.
And two 4.5 mm double pointed needles for the split.

Gauge:
23 stitches x 28 rows in rib stitch (4k, 2p) on 4,5 mm needles = 10 x 10 cm.

Materials:
350-400 (400-450) 500-550 (550-600) 650-700 (750-800) g Heavy Merino from Knitting for Olive
A two-way zipper of 55 (55) 55 (60) 60 (60) cm (can also be a one-way zipper if desired).

Pattern:
Except for the neckline and sleeves, the zip-up is worked in a rib pattern (4 k, 2 p). The neckline is worked in twisted rib (4 twisted k, 2 twisted p), and the sleeves are worked in the usual rib pattern (4 k, 2 p), except for 6 knit stitches directly under the armhole. When the text refers to “knit as the pattern indicates,“ it means knitting knit stitches where the stitches were knitted on the previous round and purl stitches where the stitches were purled on the previous round.