Zipper Light Sweater (Junior/Child)

The Zipper Sweater Light – Junior is a clean, practical knit with a slightly sporty feel, perfect for everyday wear.

It’s worked top down, starting with a ribbed collar that’s folded over and knitted together for a really tidy finish. The yoke is shaped with raglan increases and begins flat to create the opening for the zipper, before joining in the round to complete the body and sleeves.

A really nice detail in this pattern is the zipper finish. A facing is worked from live stitches, so when the zipper is sewn in, it looks just as neat on the inside as it does on the outside.

Yarn notes (easy to customise)

This pattern is designed for a yarn with good structure, helping the sweater hold its shape and giving it that classic, slightly structured look.

If you’d like to knit it in a single strand pure wool, great options are:

• Red Hut
• Crucci Pure Wool

If you’d prefer a softer option:

• Heirloom Merino Magic is a lovely merino alternative

Just keep in mind:

• pure wool will give you more structure and durability
• merino will feel softer, but won’t hold shape quite as firmly

Sizing

The Zipper Sweater Light – Junior is designed with approx. 20 cm of positive ease, giving it a relaxed, easy fit for layering.

Sizes available:
3–4 (4–5) 5–6 (6–7) 7–8 (8–10) 10–12 (12–14) 14–16 years

To choose your size:

• measure the child’s chest
• then choose the size that gives you the fit you want

Example:
If the child measures 59 cm, a size 5–6 years will give that relaxed fit.

Because it’s top down, you can also adjust the length as you go, which is ideal for growing kids.

Finished measurements

Bust circumference:
75 (77) 81 (83) 85 (89) 95 (101) 105 cm

Length (excluding collar):
40 (42) 44 (46) 48 (50) 52 (54) 56 cm

Yarn requirements (approximate)

• 3–4 years: 550 m
• 4–5 years: 640 m
• 5–6 years: 730 m
• 6–7 years: 730 m
• 7–8 years: 820 m
• 8–10 years: 910 m
• 10–12 years: 1000 m
• 12–14 years: 1090 m
• 14–16 years: 1180 m

⭐ Difficulty

Intermediate–Advanced (★★★★☆)

You’ll want to be comfortable with:

• top down construction
• raglan shaping
• picking up stitches
• inserting a zipper neatly

A quick tip before you start

Take the time to knit and block a swatch first, especially if you’re swapping yarn types.

Getting the right gauge will make a big difference to how the zipper sits and how the finished sweater holds its shape.