Babies Cardigans and Beret in King Cole Cherish & Cherished DK - 4192 - Downloadable PDF

Babies Cardigans and Beret Knitted in King Cole Cherish & Cherished DK – Pattern 4192

This downloadable PDF knitting pattern from King Cole (Leaflet 4192) provides instructions for creating a set of adorable baby cardigans and a beret, all knitted in King Cole Cherish & Cherished DK yarn. The pattern covers a generous size range of 41–66 cm (16–26 inches), making it suitable for babies and young toddlers across multiple stages of growth. Rated as intermediate in difficulty, this pattern is ideal for knitters who are comfortable with basic shaping techniques and are ready to tackle garment construction with multiple pieces.

King Cole also notes that a donation is made to the Pink Ribbon Foundation for every pattern purchased, adding a charitable dimension to your crafting project.

About the Yarn: King Cole Cherish & Cherished DK

The pattern is specifically designed to be worked in King Cole Cherish & Cherished DK, a double knit weight yarn chosen for its soft, baby-friendly qualities. DK weight yarn is a versatile, medium-light yarn that produces a fabric with excellent stitch definition while remaining gentle against delicate baby skin. The Cherish and Cherished ranges from King Cole are well regarded for their softness and suitability for infant garments.

Needles and Tension

The pattern calls for two needle sizes:

• 3¼ mm needles – used for ribbed or border sections such as cast-on edges and cuffs
• 4 mm needles – used for the main body fabric, worked in stocking stitch

The stated tension is 22 stitches and 28 rows to 10 cm (4 inches) over stocking stitch using 4 mm needles. Achieving the correct tension is essential in baby garment knitting, as even small variations can significantly affect the finished size. The pattern advises that if you achieve fewer stitches than stated, switch to thinner needles, and if you achieve more stitches, switch to thicker needles.

Garments Included in the Pattern

Baby Cardigans

The pattern includes instructions for knitting baby cardigans across the full size range of 41–66 cm. The cardigans are constructed in separate pieces that are seamed together, a traditional approach to garment knitting that produces a neat, structured finish. The pieces referenced in the pattern instructions include:

• Back: Cast on using the thumb method with 3¼ mm needles, beginning with 56[60:66:72:78] stitches across the five sizes
• Right Front: Cast on 30[32:35:38:41] stitches using 3¼ mm needles and the thumb method, with shaping worked over subsequent rows including decreases for the front edge or armhole shaping

The cardigans feature classic baby cardigan construction, with shaping achieved through increasing and decreasing stitches at key points such as armholes and front edges. The use of two needle sizes — smaller for borders and larger for the body — creates a tidy, professional finish with neat ribbed or garter-stitch edgings contrasting against the smooth stocking-stitch body.

Baby Beret

Alongside the cardigans, the pattern includes instructions for a baby beret, making this a coordinated set. The beret is a charming accessory that complements the cardigans and is worked to fit within the same size range. Berets in knitting are typically worked in the round or flat and shaped with strategic increases and decreases to create the characteristic round, slightly slouched silhouette that sits neatly on a baby's head.

Techniques and Stitches Used

This is a knitting pattern and does not involve crochet. The primary techniques and stitches featured include:

• Stocking stitch – the main fabric stitch, created by alternating knit rows on the right side and purl rows on the wrong side, producing a smooth, classic fabric
• Thumb