The Ballogie

The Ballogie Cardigan by Emma Boyd

What Is Being Made

The Ballogie is a knitted cardigan designed for infants and children, available in eight size ranges from 0-6 months through 10-12 years. This top-down construction cardigan features button closures and is specifically engineered to grow with your child, allowing for easy extension as sizing needs increase. The finished chest measurements range from 18.25 inches (46.25cm) for the smallest size up to 31 inches (79cm) for the largest size.

Knitting Techniques and Construction

The Ballogie employs a top-down knitting method, which offers both speed and practical advantages for growing children. This construction technique allows knitters to try on the garment during the knitting process and easily add length to the body and sleeves as the child grows larger. The cardigan is constructed using circular needles, which distribute weight evenly and accommodate the flat knitting required for this garment style.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch pattern used throughout The Ballogie is stockinette stitch, a fundamental knitting technique that creates the smooth, classic fabric appearance. Stockinette stitch is formed by alternating knit and purl rows, producing a refined surface ideal for showcasing yarn texture and color. This stitch choice contributes to the cardigan's soft, polished aesthetic while remaining accessible to intermediate-level knitters.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Ballogie is designed to be knitted in Malabrigo Rios, a worsted weight yarn composed of 100% merino wool. Each skein contains 100 grams and yields 192 meters (210 yards) of yarn. The pattern calls for the colorway Lettuce (037), though designers note that any worsted weight yarn can be substituted to achieve similar results. Yarn requirements vary by size: the smallest size requires 2 skeins, while the largest size requires 5 skeins.

For knitters preferring machine-washable options, Malabrigo also produces a superwash worsted weight yarn available in multiple colors, offering an alternative to the standard merino wool version while maintaining the same weight and yardage specifications.

Needles and Gauge

The suggested needle size for The Ballogie is 4.5mm (US #7) circular needles measuring 24 inches (60cm). Circular needles of this length accommodate the flat knitting required for cardigan construction while allowing for the top-down method. The pattern specifies a gauge of 18 stitches and 24 rows per 4 inches (10cm) when worked in stockinette stitch. Achieving accurate gauge is essential for proper fit across all size ranges.

Notions and Finishing

The Ballogie requires button closures, with the number varying by size: sizes 0-6 months, 6-12 months, and 1-2 years each require 7 buttons; sizes 2-4 years and 4-6 years each require 8 buttons; and sizes 6-8 years, 8-10 years, and 10-12 years require 9, 9, and 11 buttons respectively. All buttons should measure approximately 18mm in diameter.

Additional tools needed include stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and shaping points, and waste yarn for holding stitches during construction—a particularly useful feature of the top-down method for trying on and adjusting fit.

Skill Level

The Ballogie is classified as an intermediate difficulty project, making it suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to tackle garment construction. The straightforward stockinette stitch and top-down methodology provide a manageable introduction to fitted garment knitting without overwhelming complexity.

Designer Information

The Ballogie is designed by Emma Boyd. For inquiries or additional information, contact the designer at knittyemma@gmail.com or follow @knittyemma on social media.