Cardigan and Sweater in King Cole Big Value Tweed DK - 5711 - Downloadable PDF

King Cole Big Value Tweed DK Cardigan and Sweater – Pattern 5711 – Knitting Pattern Summary

Pattern 5711 from King Cole is a downloadable PDF knitting pattern offering two classic designs: a cardigan and a sweater (jumper), both knitted in King Cole Big Value Tweed DK yarn. The pattern is graded as beginner-friendly and covers a wide range of sizes from 86 cm to 132 cm (34 in to 52 in) chest circumference, making it accessible and inclusive for a broad range of knitters. A donation to the Pink Ribbon Foundation is made with every King Cole pattern purchased.

About the Designs

The Cardigan

The cardigan is a timeless, relaxed-fit garment worked in stocking stitch with neat 1x1 ribbed welts and borders. It features raglan shaping, a construction method where the sleeves and body are joined at a diagonal seam running from the underarm to the neckline, creating a smooth, comfortable fit across the shoulders without the need for traditional set-in sleeve shaping. This makes it an excellent choice for beginner knitters who want to develop their shaping skills in a manageable and rewarding way.

The cardigan is worked in separate pieces — including a Left Front and corresponding sections — which are then seamed together. The ribbed sections are worked on 3.25mm needles over 25 rows to create a firm, elastic border, before the main body is continued on 4mm needles in stocking stitch. Raglan decreases are worked using techniques such as s1, K1, psso (slip one stitch knitwise, knit one, pass slipped stitch over) and K2tog (knit two together), which create neat, mirrored decreases on either side of the raglan lines.

The Sweater (Jumper)

The sweater shares the same yarn, needle sizes, tension, and construction approach as the cardigan, offering a pullover alternative for knitters who prefer a simpler, button-free finish. Like the cardigan, it uses stocking stitch as the main fabric and 1x1 rib for the welts and cuffs, and incorporates raglan sleeve shaping for a neat, classic silhouette. The sweater is equally suitable for beginners and makes an ideal second or third knitting project for those building confidence with shaping and garment construction.

Stitches and Techniques Used

• Stocking Stitch (St-St): The primary fabric stitch, created by alternating knit rows on the right side and purl rows on the wrong side. This produces a smooth, flat fabric with a slight natural drape — ideal for showcasing the flecked, tweedy texture of the yarn.
• 1x1 Rib: Worked by alternating knit and purl stitches across the row (K1, P1 repeat), this stitch creates a stretchy, structured border used for the welts, cuffs, and front bands of the cardigan. It provides a professional, tidy finish and helps the garment retain its shape at the edges.
• Raglan Shaping: A classic garment construction technique using paired decreases worked at set intervals to shape the armhole and sleeve head simultaneously. Decreases are worked using s1, K1, psso and K2tog to create symmetrical, diagonal raglan lines.
• Casting Off: Stitches are cast off at the beginning of rows to shape the underarm before raglan shaping begins.
• Increasing and Decreasing: Standard shaping techniques including inc (increase) and dec (decrease) are used throughout to shape the body, sleeves, and neckline.
• Purl-side Shaping: The pattern includes shaping rows worked on the wrong side (purl rows), such as P2tog (purl two together), used during the transition between rib and stocking stitch sections.

Materials Required

Yarn

Both the cardigan and sweater are designed to be knitted in King Cole Big Value Tweed