Cardigan & Top Knitted in King Cole Finesse Cotton Silk DK - 5628 - Downloadable PDF

Cardigan & Top Knitted in King Cole Finesse Cotton Silk DK – Pattern 5628

Pattern 5628 from King Cole is a downloadable PDF knitting pattern offering two elegant garments: a classic cardigan and a fitted top, both worked in King Cole Finesse Cotton Silk DK yarn. Designed for intermediate knitters, this pattern covers a generous range of sizes from 76/81 cm to 117/122 cm (30/32 in to 46/48 in), making it accessible to a wide variety of body shapes. Every purchase of this King Cole pattern includes a donation to the Pink Ribbon Foundation.

About the Yarn and Materials

Both garments are designed to be knitted in King Cole Finesse Cotton Silk DK, a luxurious double knit weight yarn that blends the natural breathability of cotton with the subtle sheen and drape of silk. This combination makes it particularly well suited to lightweight, wearable garments with a refined finish. The yarn's smooth texture helps stitch definition show clearly, which is especially important for the ribbed sections featured throughout both designs.

• Yarn: King Cole Finesse Cotton Silk DK
• Weight: Double Knit (DK)
• Needles: 3.25mm needles and 4mm needles
• Tension: 22 stitches and 28 rows to 10 cm (4 in) over stocking stitch using 4mm needles

As with all knitting patterns, achieving the correct tension is essential before beginning. Knitters are advised to work a tension square first. If fewer stitches than stated are achieved over 10 cm, switch to finer needles; if more stitches are achieved, switch to larger needles.

The Cardigan

Design Overview

The cardigan is a classic, structured design with a neat front opening, ribbed borders, and a tailored silhouette. It is worked in separate pieces — including a Left Front, Right Front, Back, and Sleeves — which are then seamed together. The construction follows traditional flat knitting methods, making it approachable for intermediate knitters who are comfortable working from detailed row-by-row instructions.

Techniques and Construction

The cardigan features a combination of ribbing for borders and welts and stocking stitch for the main body. The lower edges and front bands are worked in 1x1 rib, which provides elasticity and a clean, professional finish. Shaping is achieved through decreasing (including rib2tog) and increasing techniques worked at specific intervals to create the fitted silhouette across the full size range.

The pattern includes a stitch holder for the front border stitches, a common technique used to keep live stitches ready for later finishing. Cast-on rows are also incorporated mid-pattern to create neat buttonhole or border openings. The cardigan uses both Main (M) and Contrast (C) colour designations, suggesting the potential for two-tone or contrast trim detailing.

Stitches Used – Cardigan

• Stocking Stitch (St-St): Knit on right side rows, purl on wrong side rows — used for the main body fabric
• 1x1 Rib: Alternating knit 1, purl 1 across the row — used for welts, cuffs, and front borders
• Decreasing: rib2tog, psso (pass slipped stitch over), and tog methods used for shaping
• Slip stitch (sl): Stitches slipped knitways as part of shaping and finishing techniques
• Increasing: Used to shape the body and sleeves at designated rows
• Casting on mid-row: Used to create button band or border openings

Sizing – Cardigan

• Sizes: 76/81 – 117/122