Ballaro

Ballaro Jacket by Jo Sharp

What is Being Made

The Ballaro Jacket is a snug-fitting cardigan design that represents an updated version of Jo Sharp's "Garter Stitch Jacket" from her collection spanning nearly two decades. This contemporary iteration features refined construction with dramatically slimmed and re-shaped sleeves compared to the original design, along with a reduced-width bodice for a more tailored silhouette. The pattern is presented in multiple versions and size options to accommodate different fit preferences.

Techniques Used

This knitting project employs fundamental cardigan construction techniques suitable for beginner-level knitters. The garment is built using flat knitting on straight needles, with separate pieces for the back, fronts, and sleeves that are subsequently seamed together. Buttonhole placement is integrated throughout the right front as the piece is worked, with buttonholes positioned to correspond with planned button locations. The pattern requires careful tension management and understanding of how different stitch types affect fabric dimensions and drape.

Stitches Used

• Garter Stitch – The primary stitch throughout the jacket, created by knitting every row on both right-side and wrong-side rows. This produces a textured, reversible fabric with characteristic horizontal ridges and provides excellent structure for a fitted cardigan.
• Reverse Stockinette Stitch – Used as an alternative stitch option in certain sections, measured at 18 stitches and 24 rows over 10cm using 5.00mm needles, providing a smooth, flat surface with a different visual and tactile quality than Garter Stitch.
• Buttonhole Stitch – A simple cast-off and cast-on technique executed on the right side, where 3 stitches are cast off and then cast back on in the following row to create functional buttonholes.

Materials

The Ballaro Jacket is designed to be worked in Aran weight yarn, specifically using Jo Sharp Silkroad Aran Tweed. The pattern calls for 5.00mm needles for all stitch work. Tension is critical for proper fit: 18 stitches and 34 rows should measure 10cm (approximately 4 inches) over Garter Stitch, while Reverse Stockinette Stitch should measure 18 stitches and 24 rows over the same 10cm gauge. The pattern includes multiple size options, with the back piece requiring between 88 and 115 cast-on stitches depending on desired finished size, and right front pieces ranging from 48 to 61 stitches.