"Lars Jumpers" - Jumper Knitting Pattern in MillaMia Naturally Soft Merino

Lars Jumper – Children's Stranded Colourwork Knitting Pattern by MillaMia

The Lars Jumper is a charming children's knitting pattern from MillaMia, designed to produce a classic, neatly fitted pullover with a decorative Fair Isle colourwork band. Available in four sizes to fit ages 1–2, 2–3, 3–4, and 4–5 years, this pattern is an excellent project for knitters who are building their confidence and ready to explore stranded colourwork in a manageable, rewarding format.

What Is Being Made

The finished garment is a seamed children's jumper (pullover/sweater) with set-in or drop sleeves, a ribbed hem and cuffs, and a neat button-fastening collar. The jumper features a central Fair Isle colourwork panel worked from a chart, giving it a distinctive, heritage-inspired look that is equally at home dressed up or worn casually. Actual chest measurements range from 58 cm (23 in) for the smallest size up to 72 cm (28¼ in) for the largest, with corresponding lengths to shoulder of 28–37 cm and sleeve lengths of 21–28 cm.

Colourways and Materials

The pattern is written for MillaMia Naturally Soft Merino, a sport weight yarn celebrated for its softness and stitch definition — both important qualities when working colourwork and fine ribbing on children's knitwear. The main colourway uses:

• Forget Me Not (120) — the main colour (M), requiring 2–5 balls depending on size
• Seaside (161) — contrast colour A, requiring 1–3 balls
• Daisy Yellow (142) — contrast colour B, one ball across all sizes
• Snow (124) — contrast colour C, one ball across all sizes

Suggested alternative colourways are also provided, including combinations such as Fawn, Storm, Claret, and Snow and Petal, Fuchsia, Forget Me Not, and Snow, giving knitters the freedom to personalise the finished jumper.

In addition to yarn, the pattern calls for a pair of 3 mm (US 2) knitting needles, a pair of 3.25 mm (US 3) knitting needles, a circular 3 mm (US 2) needle for picking up the collar, and three buttons approximately 15 mm (½ in) in diameter.

Techniques Used

• Stranded colourwork (Fair Isle): The signature decorative band is worked using the traditional stranded technique, where two or more yarn colours are carried across the back of the work simultaneously. The pattern includes a chart for this section; all chart rows are read from right to left, then mirrored from left to right after the central stitch, creating a symmetrical motif.
• Seamed construction: The jumper is knitted in separate flat pieces — front, back, and sleeves — which are then sewn together. This classic construction method gives the finished garment structure and durability, and is a great way for improving knitters to practise neat finishing.
• Ribbing: Welts, cuffs, and the collar are worked in rib stitch, providing elasticity and a tidy, professional edge.
• Shaping: Standard increases and decreases are used to shape the sleeves and armholes, introducing knitters to garment-shaping techniques in a gentle, approachable context.
• Collar finishing: The collar is picked up on a circular needle and pressed flat before being sewn to the back, with button fastenings for easy dressing on small children.

Stitches Used

• Stocking stitch (stockinette stitch) — the main body fabric, worked in both single colour and stranded colourwork sections
• Garter stitch — referenced in the abbreviations for finishing or border details
• Rib stitch — used for welts, cuffs, and the collar
• k2tog (knit two together) — a