Emil(ia)

Emil(ia) Sideways Seamless Toddler Jumper by Åsa Tricosa

What is Being Made

Emil(ia) is a sideways, seamless toddler jumper (sweater) designed for infants and toddlers in three sizes: 6 months, 9–12 months, and 18–24 months. The finished garment features a width of 29–32 cm (11½"–12¾") and a length of 29–33 cm (11½"–13"), with sleeve lengths ranging from 18–21.5 cm (7"–8.5"). The design incorporates a distinctive vertical striped band with color blocking and includes button closures for easy dressing of young children.

Construction Techniques

This sweater employs a sideways knitting method, a specialized construction technique where the garment is knitted horizontally rather than from top to bottom. The design is seamless, meaning stitches are picked up from along the sides of a vertical striped band to form the body and sleeves, eliminating the need for seaming. This approach creates a unique visual effect and reduces finishing work. The pattern includes specific instructions for button placement, with buttons sewn onto the left shoulder and a striped band extended over the shoulder to accommodate button holes, as shown in the pattern photographs.

Stitches and Stitch Work

The pattern utilizes fundamental knitting stitches appropriate for DK-weight yarn. The vertical striped band is created through color work and stranded knitting techniques, allowing for the integration of multiple yarn colors (orange, maroon, light grey, and black) within a single knitted fabric. The gauge for this project is 22 stitches × 32 rows = 10 cm/4" when using Rowan Pure Wool DK, or 21 stitches × 28 rows = 10 cm/4" when using Drops Karisma Superwash, providing a reference point for tension and finished dimensions.

Materials and Yarn Requirements

• Yarn Weight: DK (Double Knit)
• Yarn Options: Rowan Pure Wool DK (50 g/124 m per ball) or Drops Karisma Superwash (50 g/110 m per ball), or any comparable DK-weight yarn
• Yarn Quantities:
  • Colour A (orange or quarry): 75 g (6 months), 100 g (9–12 months), or 125 g (18–24 months)
  • Colour B (maroon or plum): 75 g (6 months), 100 g (9–12 months), or 125 g (18–24 months)
  • Light grey (Drops Karisma 44): scraps
  • Black (Drops Karisma 05): scraps
• Needles: 4 mm circular needle(s)
• Notions: 2 buttons

Difficulty Level

This pattern is classified as advanced, reflecting the complexity of sideways construction, color work integration, and the technical skill required to pick up stitches along the sides of a striped band. Knitters should have solid foundational knowledge of knitting techniques and experience with color work before undertaking this project.