Tunic & Sweater in King Cole DK - 4371 - Downloadable PDF

King Cole DK Tunic & Sweater – Pattern 4371: Detailed Summary

Pattern 4371 from King Cole is a downloadable PDF knitting pattern offering two distinct garments: a tunic and a sweater, both knitted in King Cole DK (double knitting weight) yarn. Designed for intermediate knitters, this pattern covers bust/chest sizes 86–112 cm (34–44 in), making it suitable for a range of adult figures. A purchase of this pattern contributes a donation to the Pink Ribbon Foundation.

About the Two Designs

The Tunic

The tunic is a longer-length knitted garment, making it a versatile layering piece that can be worn over leggings or slim trousers. Its design features richly textured cable panels as a central decorative element, set against a background of reversed stocking stitch. The combination of the smooth cable columns against the purl-faced background creates a striking visual contrast that gives the tunic a sophisticated, tactile finish. The cable panel is a substantial 40-stitch panel worked over a 56-row repeat, meaning the pattern rewards patient, engaged knitting with a truly impressive result.

The Sweater

The sweater is a more classic, hip-length knitted top sharing the same yarn, tension, and core construction techniques as the tunic. Like the tunic, it incorporates cable detailing and reversed stocking stitch to create texture and visual interest. The sweater offers a slightly more casual, everyday silhouette while still showcasing the same quality of stitch work.

Techniques Used

Both garments are worked using a range of knitting techniques that place this pattern firmly in the intermediate skill category. Knitters should be comfortable with the following:

• Reversed stocking stitch (rev st-st): The main fabric of both garments is worked in reversed stocking stitch, where the purl side is used as the right side. This creates a soft, matte, textured surface that contrasts beautifully with the smooth knit cables.
• Cable knitting: Cables are central to both designs. A cable needle is required to work the various cable crossings. Cables are created by temporarily holding stitches at the front or back of the work and crossing groups of stitches over one another, producing twisted rope-like columns.
• Increasing and decreasing: Standard shaping techniques are used throughout for armholes, necklines, and sleeve shaping.
• Tension/gauge swatching: The pattern strongly emphasises the importance of knitting a tension square before beginning, as achieving the correct gauge is essential to obtaining the right finished size.

Stitches Used

This pattern uses a variety of stitches and stitch combinations, including several special cable abbreviations unique to this design:

• Knit (K) and Purl (P): The fundamental building blocks of all the fabric in both garments.
• Reversed stocking stitch (rev st-st): Right side purl, wrong side knit — used as the main background fabric.
• C5B (Cable 5 Back): Slip 1 stitch to cable needle at back, knit 4 from left-hand needle, then purl 1 from cable needle.
• C5F (Cable 5 Front): Slip 4 stitches to cable needle at front, purl 1 from left-hand needle, then knit 4 from cable needle.
• C6B (Cable 6 Back): Slip 2 stitches to cable needle at back, knit 4, then purl 2 from cable needle.
• C6F (Cable 6 Front): Slip 4 stitches to cable needle at front, purl 2 from left-hand needle, then knit 4 from cable needle.
• C8B (Cable 8 Back): Slip 4 stitches to cable needle at back, knit 4, then knit 4 from cable needle — a classic rope cable crossing.