"Maja Jumper" - Sweater Knitting Pattern in MillaMia Naturally Soft Cotton

Maja Jumper – Children's Intarsia Knitting Pattern by Helena Rosen for MillaMia

The Maja Jumper is a charming children's knitting pattern designed by Helena Rosen for MillaMia, worked in MillaMia Naturally Soft Cotton yarn. This pattern produces a classic pullover jumper featuring colourful intarsia motif detailing, making it a delightful project for knitters looking to develop their colourwork skills. The design is aimed at children aged 2–3, 3–4, 4–5, and 5–6 years, with actual chest measurements ranging from 63 cm to 75 cm (approximately 24¾ to 29½ inches), a length to shoulder of 32 cm to 41 cm, and sleeve lengths of 21 cm to 27 cm depending on size.

Construction and Techniques

The Maja Jumper is constructed using a bottom-up, seamed, worked flat method, meaning the pieces — front, back, and sleeves — are knitted flat on straight or circular needles from the lower edge upward, then sewn together to finish the garment. This traditional approach gives knitters excellent control over tension and shaping, and makes it straightforward to try on pieces as you go.

The standout technique in this pattern is intarsia, a method of working distinct blocks of colour into a flat knitted fabric. Unlike stranded colourwork, where yarns are carried across the back of the work, intarsia uses separate small amounts of yarn for each colour area. The yarns are twisted around one another on the wrong side at each colour join to prevent gaps or holes in the fabric. This technique is ideal for bold, isolated motifs and is what gives the Maja Jumper its distinctive decorative character.

The pattern includes a chart for the intarsia motif section. Odd-numbered rows are knit rows and are read from right to left; even-numbered rows are purl rows and are read from left to right — consistent with flat knitting convention. Knitters are instructed to mark the beginning and end of the chart a set number of stitches from each edge, varying by size, to correctly position the motif across the chest.

Skill Level and Suitability

This pattern is rated Improving (equivalent to intermediate level), making it well suited to knitters who are comfortable with basic knit and purl stitches and are ready to tackle colourwork techniques for the first time, or who wish to practise and refine their intarsia skills. The seamed, flat construction also provides a good opportunity to practise neat mattress stitch seaming.

Materials – Yarn and Needles

The pattern calls for MillaMia Naturally Soft Cotton, a sport weight yarn available in 50 g / 1¾ oz balls. This yarn is a 100% cotton construction, making it breathable and gentle against children's skin — an excellent choice for a garment intended for young wearers. The pattern specifies:

• Two 50 g balls of French Navy (320) as the main colour (A)
• One ball each of Flamingo (341) (B) and additional contrast colours for the intarsia motif sections

The pattern also references a range of suggested alternative colourways, including shades such as Sweetpea (352), Off White (311), Mid Navy (301), Mid Grey (310), Pure White (340), Candy Pink (321), and Indigo Purple, allowing knitters to personalise the jumper with different colour combinations while retaining the same motif design.

Stitches Used

• Knit stitch – used on right-side rows throughout the body and sleeves
• Purl stitch – used on wrong-side rows to create stocking stitch fabric
• Intarsia colourwork – separate yarn supplies twisted at colour joins to create the charted motif
• Seaming – pieces are joined after knitting to complete the garment structure

Pattern Format

The Maja