Jacket and Sweater in King Cole Bamboo DK - 4172 - Downloadable PDF

Jacket and Sweater in King Cole Bamboo DK – Pattern 4172

This intermediate-level knitting pattern (King Cole pattern number 4172) presents two classic knitwear designs — a Jacket and a Sweater — both worked in King Cole Bamboo DK yarn. The pattern is available as a downloadable PDF and covers a generous range of sizes from 71/76 cm to 112/117 cm (approximately 28/30 in to 44/46 in), making it suitable for a wide range of adult figures. Both garments share the same yarn and construction approach, offering knitters a choice between a finished, structured jacket and a classic pullover sweater.

About the Yarn: King Cole Bamboo DK

King Cole Bamboo DK is a double knit weight yarn, prized for its soft, silky handle and natural breathability. Bamboo-blend yarns are known for their gentle drape and subtle sheen, which lends a polished, elegant finish to garments like these. The DK (double knit) weight strikes a balance between a fine, delicate fabric and a satisfying pace of knitting, making it a popular choice for wearable, everyday knitwear. As always, knitters should refer to the ball band for specific pressing and care instructions, as bamboo fibres often require gentle handling.

Needles

As is standard for DK weight knitting patterns, appropriate knitting needles for achieving the correct tension/gauge would typically be used. Knitters should always work a tension swatch before beginning and adjust needle size accordingly to match the pattern's stated tension.

Design One: The Jacket

The Jacket is a structured, shaped outerwear piece designed to be flattering across a broad size range. Key construction details visible in the pattern include:

• Pocket linings are worked separately and incorporated into the main body, adding both a practical and tailored element to the design.
• Sleeve top shaping is worked with paired decreases to create a neat, set-in sleeve head — a hallmark of a well-fitted jacket.
• Borders are worked using cast-on stitches and sewn or knitted into position, giving the jacket clean, finished edges.
• Armhole shaping is carefully measured, with the armhole depth varying by size to ensure a proper fit across all chest measurements.

Techniques Used in the Jacket

• Casting on and casting off at the beginning of rows for armhole and sleeve shaping
• Paired decreases for symmetrical shaping throughout
• Pocket lining construction — worked as separate pieces and integrated into the fronts
• Border construction using picked-up or cast-on stitches
• Seaming and finishing techniques to assemble the garment professionally

Design Two: The Sweater

The Sweater is a classic pullover design, also knitted in King Cole Bamboo DK. It shares the same size range and yarn as the jacket, making the two designs a natural pairing — ideal for knitters who wish to create a coordinating set or simply prefer a pullover silhouette.

• Pocket linings are also featured in the sweater, worked in exactly the same manner as those in the jacket ("Work exactly as gi[ven]" — as noted in the pattern text).
• Neck shaping is a key feature, with decreases worked at the neck edge over multiple rows to create a smooth, fitted neckline. The pattern specifies decreasing 1 stitch at the neck edge in every row for 4 rows, followed by decreases in every alternate row for a further 7 rows, producing a gracefully curved neckline.
• Armhole shaping mirrors that of the jacket, with cast-off stitches at the beginning of rows followed by paired decreases to shape the armhole neatly.

Techniques Used in the Sweater

• Neck shaping with row-by-row and alternate-row decreases for a smooth curved