Jo Sharp Bistro Sweater Jumper Knitting Pattern

Jo Sharp Bistro Sweater

What is Being Made

The Jo Sharp Bistro Sweater is a unisex pullover sweater designed for a relaxed, everyday fit. This knitted garment is worked flat and seamed, available in two versions to accommodate different skill levels: Version 1 is suitable for experienced knitters, while Version 2 is designed for average skilled knitters. The sweater features a classic crew neckline and is constructed with careful shaping at the neck, shoulders, and armholes to create a well-fitted silhouette across four unisex size options (A, B, C, and D) with chest/bust measurements ranging from 80–90 cm to 110–120 cm.

Techniques Used

This sweater employs several key knitting techniques to achieve its finished design. Intarsia is used to incorporate color work into the garment, allowing for detailed patterning without the bulk of traditional stranded colorwork. The sweater is worked flat on straight needles, meaning pieces are knitted back and forth in rows rather than in the round, which provides greater control for complex shaping. Seaming is used to join the individual pieces together, creating clean, professional seams along the sides and shoulders. The construction includes deliberate shaping at the neck edge with decreases worked over multiple rows, and strategic shoulder shaping accomplished through casting off stitches at regular intervals to create a tailored fit.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch throughout the Bistro Sweater is stocking stitch (also known as stockinette stitch), which creates the classic smooth, V-textured fabric that forms the foundation of the garment. Stocking stitch is worked by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side, producing the traditional flat appearance ideal for showcasing the intarsia colorwork. The pattern incorporates strategic decreasing at the neckline, worked at the neck edge on alternate rows to create a gradual, professional-looking neck shaping. Shoulder shaping is achieved through repeated casting off of stitches in groups, creating the angled shoulder line necessary for proper garment fit.

Materials

The Bistro Sweater is knitted using Jo Sharp Silkroad DK Tweed yarn, a DK weight yarn that combines wool with rare comfort kid mohair. This yarn blend provides both warmth and softness, making it suitable for a wearable everyday sweater. The yarn is supplied in 50-gram balls. For Version 1, yarn quantities range from 9 to 10 balls of the main color (Code A: Emporio or Night, depending on size), with 3 to 4 balls of a secondary color (Code 408: Cedar) and 1 ball of an accent color (Code 406: Paper Rose). Version 2 requires slightly different yardage, with 9 to 12 balls of the main color (Code A: Night) and 3 to 4 balls of the secondary color. The pattern is worked on appropriate needles for DK weight yarn, though specific needle sizes are referenced in the complete pattern instructions.