Lace Panel Cardigan and Sweater In King Cole Drifter 4ply - 5388pdf - Downloadable PDF

Lace Panel Cardigan and Sweater in King Cole Drifter 4ply – Pattern 5388

This downloadable PDF knitting pattern from King Cole provides instructions for two elegant garments: a Lace Panel Cardigan and a Lace Panel Sweater, both knitted in the beautiful King Cole Drifter 4ply yarn. The pattern is rated as intermediate in difficulty, making it a rewarding project for knitters who have moved beyond the basics and are ready to incorporate decorative lace work into their garments. Sizes range from 71/76 cm to 112/117 cm (28/30 in to 44/46 in), offering an inclusive range suitable for a wide variety of body sizes.

King Cole also donates to the Pink Ribbon Foundation with every pattern purchase, adding a charitable dimension to your crafting.

Garments Included

• Lace Panel Cardigan – A classic open-front cardigan featuring decorative lace panel detailing, combining elegance with wearable everyday style.
• Lace Panel Sweater – A pullover sweater sharing the same lace panel design, offering a coordinating closed-front alternative to the cardigan.

Both garments are designed to showcase the tonal, drifting colour effects of King Cole Drifter 4ply yarn, which naturally enhances the delicate texture of the lace panels with its subtle colour gradations.

Yarn and Materials

The specified yarn for both garments is King Cole Drifter 4ply, a 4ply weight yarn known for its softly blended, variegated tones that create a gentle, drifting colour effect as you knit. The lightweight nature of 4ply yarn makes these garments ideal for layering across seasons. 3.25mm knitting needles are recommended, or whichever needle size is required to achieve the correct tension.

Tension

The stated tension is 28 stitches and 36 rows to 10 cm (4 in) measured over stocking stitch and Lace pattern using 3.25mm needles. Achieving the correct tension is essential for both garments to come out at the intended size. If you have fewer stitches than stated over 10 cm, switch to a finer needle; if you have more stitches, switch to a larger needle.

Techniques and Stitches Used

This pattern draws on a combination of classic and decorative knitting techniques, making it an excellent project for intermediate knitters looking to develop their skills further.

• Stocking Stitch – The foundational fabric of both garments, created by alternating knit rows on the right side and purl rows on the wrong side, producing a smooth, classic surface.
• Lace Pattern – Decorative lace panels are worked into both garments, adding an intricate, open-work texture. Lace knitting typically involves yarn-forward (yfwd) increases paired with decreases to create deliberate holes forming a repeating decorative motif.
• Yarn Forward (yfwd) – Used to create the characteristic open eyelets of the lace panels by bringing the yarn to the front of the work before a knit stitch.
• Slip Stitch Decreases (sl1, psso) – Slipping one stitch knitways and passing the slipped stitch over is used within the lace pattern to shape the decorative motifs and maintain stitch count.
• Knitting Through the Back of the Loop (tbl) – Used to create twisted stitches that add definition and structure to certain pattern elements.
• Knit and Purl Stitches – Standard knit (K) and purl (P) stitches form the backbone of the fabric throughout both garments.
• Increasing and Decreasing – Standard shaping techniques (inc and dec) are used to shape the garment pieces including armholes, necklines, and sleeve tapers.
• 1x1 Ribbing – Referenced in the abbreviations, this alternating knit-one, purl-one rib stitch is commonly used for neat, stretchy borders such as cuffs, hems, and