Ribbed Cardigan & Sweater in King Cole Riot DK - 4681 - Downloadable PDF

Ribbed Cardigan & Sweater Knitting Pattern – King Cole Riot DK (Pattern 4681)

This downloadable PDF knitting pattern from King Cole presents two classic knitwear designs: a Ribbed Cardigan and a Ribbed Sweater, both knitted in King Cole Riot DK yarn. Sized to fit a wide range of chest measurements from 71/76 cm (28/30 in) up to 112/117 cm (44/46 in), these garments offer a flattering, structured silhouette suitable for everyday wear. The pattern is rated intermediate in difficulty, making it an excellent project for knitters who are comfortable with basic techniques and ready to develop their skills further.

Designs Included

Ribbed Cardigan

The Ribbed Cardigan is a front-opening garment worked predominantly in a 2x2 rib stitch, which creates a stretchy, textured fabric with excellent drape and recovery. The ribbed construction gives the cardigan a neat, tailored appearance while ensuring a comfortable, flexible fit across the chest and body. This style of cardigan is a timeless wardrobe staple, and the all-over ribbing adds visual interest without requiring complex colourwork or cable techniques.

Ribbed Sweater

The Ribbed Sweater is a pullover companion design, sharing the same 2x2 rib construction and size range as the cardigan. Knitted in the round or in flat panels depending on the pattern instructions, the sweater offers a cohesive, coordinated look when paired with the cardigan. Both garments are designed to showcase the tonal or variegated qualities of King Cole Riot DK yarn, allowing the yarn's colour variation to add depth and character to the simple ribbed structure.

Techniques Used

Both designs in this pattern rely on a core set of knitting techniques that intermediate knitters will find both accessible and satisfying to practise:

• 2x2 Rib Stitch: The foundation of both garments, worked by alternating knit 2, purl 2 across every row. This creates a deeply textured, elastic fabric that hugs the body and retains its shape well over time.
• Stocking Stitch: Referenced in the tension section, stocking stitch forms the basis for measuring gauge. Knitters should achieve 22 stitches and 28 rows to 10 cm (4 in) using 4mm knitting needles to ensure correct sizing.
• Increasing and Decreasing: Standard shaping techniques (inc and dec) are used to shape the garment pieces, including armholes, necklines, and sleeve tapers.
• Tension Adjustment: The pattern provides clear guidance on needle sizing — knitters with fewer stitches per 10 cm should switch to a finer needle, while those with more stitches should move to a larger needle, ensuring the finished garment matches the intended measurements.
• Right Side and Wrong Side Working: The pattern distinguishes between right side (rs) and wrong side (ws) rows, which is essential for maintaining the correct orientation of the rib pattern throughout construction.

Stitches Used

• Knit (K) – the foundational knit stitch used throughout both designs
• Purl (P) – alternated with knit stitches to form the rib pattern
• 2x2 Rib – the primary stitch pattern, created by repeating K2, P2 across rows
• Stocking Stitch – used as the tension reference stitch

Materials Required

Both garments are designed to be knitted in King Cole Riot DK, a double knit (DK) weight yarn known for its softly variegated, tonal colourways that create a subtle, self-striping effect without the need for colour changes. This yarn is particularly well-suited to ribbed textures, as the colour variation adds visual movement to the repetitive stitch pattern.

• Yarn: King Cole Riot DK (double knit weight)