The Zipper Sweater is worked from the top down. The collar is worked in rib, then folded double and knitted together. The yoke is worked with raglan increases, first back and forth on circular needles to create the slit for the zipper, then in the round on the circular needles. The body and the sleeves are worked in the round. Finally, a facing for the zipper is worked from resting stitches, so the zipper, after being sewn in, also looks presentable from the WS. The zipper is sewn in between the two layers of knitting – either by hand or on a sewing machine.

Begin by working a swatch to determine which needle size you need to achieve the correct gauge.

Size guide

The Zipper Sweater is designed to have approx. 35 cm [13¾ inches] of positive ease, meaning it is designed to be 35 cm [13¾ inches] larger in circumference than your bust measurement. The sizes XS (S) M (L) XL (2XL) 3XL (4XL) 5XL are designed to fit a bust circumference of 80-85 (85-90) 90-95 (95-100) 100-110 (110-120) 120-130 (130-140) 140-150 cm [31½-33½ (33½-35½) 35½-37½ (37½-39½) 39½-43¼ (43¼-47¼) 47¼-51¼ (51¼-55) 55-59 inches]. 

The measurements for the finished garment are on the front page of the pattern. Before beginning your project, measure yourself to determine which size to knit. For example, if you measure 88 cm [34¾ inches] around your bust (or around the widest part of your upper body) you should knit a size S. A size S sweater has a bust circumference of 123 cm [48½ inches] which in the given example would give you 35 cm [13¾ inches] of positive ease.

Sizes: XS (S) M (L) XL (2XL) 3XL (4XL) 5XL

Bust circumference: 116 (123) 129 (133) 140 (152) 160 (172) 180 cm [45¾ (48½) 50¾ (52¼) 55 (59¾) 63 (67¾) 70¾ inches]

Length: 61 (63) 65 (66) 66 (67) 67 (68) 68 cm [24 (24¾) 25½ (26) 26 (26½) 26½ (26¾) 26¾ inches] (measured mid back excl. collar)

Gauge: 15 sts x 24 rows = 10 x 10 cm [4 x 4 inches] in stockinette stitch on 5 mm [US8] needles after wash and blocking

16-17 sts x 24 rows = 10 x 10 cm [4 x 4 inches] in half-twisted rib (k1 tbl, p1) on 5 mm [US8] needles after wash and blocking (gauge for rib edges at cuff and hem)

21-22 sts x 24 rows = 10 x 10 cm [4 x 4 inches] in half-twisted rib (k1 tbl, p1) on 4 mm [US6] needles after wash and blocking (gauge for rib collar)

Needles: Circular needles: 5 mm [US8] / 40, 60 and 80 or 100 cm [16, 24 and 32 or 40 inches] and 4 mm [US6] / 80 cm [32 inches]. Double-pointed needles: 5 mm [US8] and 4.5 mm [US7] (unless the Magic Loop technique is used) 

Materials: Suggestion 1: 500 (500) 550 (550) 600 (650) 700 (700) 750 g Peruvian Highland Wool by Filcolana (50 g = 100 m [109 yds]) or 600 (600) 650 (650) 700 (750) 800 (800) 850 Peer Gynt by Sandnes Garn (50 g = 91 m [98 yds]) held together with 125 (125) 125 (125-150) 150 (150) 175 (175) 175 g Tilia by Filcolana (25 g = 210 m [232 yds]) or Tynn Silk Mohair by Sandnes Garn (25 g = 212 m [232 yds]) or Brushed Lace by Mohair By Canard (25 g = 212 m [232 yds]). 

Suggestion 2: 800 (800) 900 (900) 1000 (1100) 1100-1200 (1200) 1200-1300 g Hyrdegarn by Hjelholts Uldspinderi (100 g = 125 m [137 yds])

6 mm zipper, 35 cm [13¾ inches].

Difficulty: ★ ★ ★ ★ (4 out of 5)