Cardigan & Sweater in King Cole Drifter DK - 4545 - Downloadable PDF

Cardigan & Sweater Knitting Pattern in King Cole Drifter DK – Pattern 4545

This downloadable PDF from King Cole presents two classic knitwear designs — a cardigan and a sweater — both worked in King Cole Drifter DK yarn. The pattern is rated intermediate in difficulty and is suitable for knitters who are comfortable with shaping techniques and following multi-row instructions. Both garments feature a raglan sleeve construction, a timeless and flattering style that creates a smooth, diagonal shoulder seam running from the neckline to the underarm.

Garment Designs Covered

• Cardigan: A front-opening garment worked in King Cole Drifter DK, featuring raglan sleeve shaping for a comfortable, relaxed fit across a range of adult sizes.
• Sweater: A pullover version sharing the same raglan sleeve construction and yarn, offering a coordinating companion piece to the cardigan.

Both designs are sized to fit 86–112 cm (34–44 in) chest measurements, making them accessible across a broad range of adult sizes.

Yarn and Materials

Both garments are knitted in King Cole Drifter DK, a popular double knit weight yarn known for its subtle tonal and variegated colour effects, which give finished garments a gently textured, painterly appearance without requiring complex colourwork from the knitter. The DK (double knit) weight makes these projects relatively quick to work up compared to finer yarns, while still producing a fabric with good stitch definition.

• Yarn: King Cole Drifter DK
• Needle size: 4mm knitting needles (as specified by the stated tension)

Tension

The pattern specifies a tension of 22 stitches and 28 rows to 10 cm (4 in) measured over stocking stitch on 4mm needles. Checking tension before beginning is strongly recommended; if fewer stitches or rows than stated are achieved over 10 cm, finer needles should be used to ensure the finished garment matches the intended measurements.

Stitches and Techniques Used

Both the cardigan and sweater draw on a core set of classic knitting stitches and techniques that are well within reach of an intermediate knitter:

• Stocking stitch (st-st): The primary fabric stitch, worked with knit stitches on right-side rows and purl stitches on wrong-side rows, producing a smooth, flat surface on the right side.
• Garter stitch (gst): Every row knitted, creating a ridged, reversible fabric often used for borders, welts, and edgings to prevent curling.
• Raglan sleeve shaping: A key structural technique in both garments. Raglan shaping involves working paired decreases on both the body and sleeve pieces at regular intervals so that all four pieces (two fronts or one back, and two sleeves) are joined and shaped simultaneously toward the neckline. This creates the characteristic diagonal seam line and eliminates the need for a traditional set-in shoulder.
• Increasing (inc) and decreasing (dec): Used throughout for sleeve and body shaping.
• M1 (Make One): A neat increase technique where a loop lying between the last stitch worked and the next stitch is picked up and knitted through the back of the loop to avoid a hole.
• Slip stitch (sl): Referenced in the abbreviations, typically used in edge finishing or decorative details.

Pattern Format and Accessibility

Pattern 4545 is available as a downloadable PDF, allowing knitters to access, save, and print the instructions immediately after purchase. The pattern includes a full abbreviations key, making it straightforward to follow even for knitters who may be less familiar with standard UK knitting shorthand. As with all King Cole patterns, a donation is made to the Pink Ribbon Foundation with every purchase.

Who Is This Pattern Suitable For?

This pattern is ideal