Balfour Jacket, Skirt & Scarf Knitting Pattern

Balfour Jacket, Skirt & Scarf by Lisa Richardson

Overview

The Balfour collection is a comprehensive three-piece knitting project designed by Lisa Richardson and crafted using Rowan Felted Tweed yarn. This intermediate-level pattern set includes a patterned jacket, coordinating skirt, and matching scarf, offering a complete layered wardrobe solution. The design showcases the versatility of Felted Tweed through multiple colorway combinations across all three garments.

Balfour Jacket

The jacket is the centerpiece of this collection, featuring a sophisticated fairisle pattern worked entirely in stockinette stitch. The garment is available in five sizes to fit bust measurements from 81–86 cm (32–34 in) through 122–127 cm (48–50 in), accommodating a wide range of body types.

Construction and Shaping: The jacket back is cast on using 3¼mm (US 3) needles and worked from a detailed chart for 122 to 146 rows depending on size, with the needle size increased to 3¾mm (US 5) after the initial 12 chart rows. The pattern includes structured shoulder shaping accomplished through strategic cast-offs, creating a tailored silhouette. The left front follows the same fairisle charted pattern and shaping methodology, ensuring visual continuity throughout the garment.

Yarn Requirements for Jacket: The jacket utilizes five colors of Rowan Felted Tweed in 50gm balls. Yarn A (Treacle, shade 145) forms the primary base, requiring 2–3 balls depending on size. Yarn B (Avocado, shade 161) and Yarn C (Camel, shade 157) provide secondary colorway options, with 2–4 balls needed across sizes. Yarn D (Ginger, shade 154) and Yarn E (Pine, shade 158) complete the fairisle palette, requiring 2–3 balls each.

Balfour Skirt

The coordinating skirt is designed to pair seamlessly with the jacket, offering a separate color palette while maintaining design cohesion. The skirt utilizes five distinct Rowan Felted Tweed colorways in 50gm balls.

Yarn Specifications for Skirt: Yarn A (Clay, shade 177) requires 1–2 balls across sizes. Yarn B (Barn Red, shade 196) and Yarn C (Seafarer, shade 170) each need 1–3 balls depending on the finished size. Yarn D (Alabaster, shade 197) and Yarn E (Maritime, shade 167) complete the skirt palette, with 2–3 balls required per size. This separate colorway selection allows crafters to create visual interest through coordinated but distinct pieces.

Balfour Scarf

The scarf completes the three-piece collection as an accessory that can coordinate with either the jacket or skirt independently. The finished scarf measures approximately 15 cm (6 inches) wide and 149 cm (58½ inches) in length, providing a versatile neckwear option.

Scarf Yarn Composition: The scarf requires only one 50gm ball each of three Rowan Felted Tweed colors: Yarn A (Mineral, shade 181), Yarn B (Clay, shade 177), and Yarn C (Carbon, shade 159). This minimal yardage requirement makes the scarf an economical addition to the collection and an ideal stash-busting project.

Techniques and Stitches

The Balfour collection employs fairisle technique as the primary decorative method, creating intricate two-color patterning throughout the jacket. All garment pieces are worked primarily in stockinette stitch (knit on right-side rows, purl on wrong-side rows), which provides a smooth, refined fabric base that showcases the fairisle colorwork effectively.

Shaping Techniques: The jacket incorporates cast-off shaping at the shoulders to create a fitted, structured garment. The pattern uses alternating cast-off rows at regular intervals to gradually reduce stitch counts and form the shoulder line, a standard technique for creating tailored knitwear with professional finishing.

Materials and Specifications

All three garments in the Balfour collection are constructed using Rowan Felted Tweed, a premium yarn choice known for its texture and durability. The pattern requires two needle sizes: 3¼mm (US 3) needles for the initial cast