Slipover and Sweater in King Cole Cottonsoft DK - 4840 - Downloadable PDF

Slipover and Sweater Knitting Pattern in King Cole Cottonsoft DK – Pattern 4840

This King Cole pattern 4840 is a downloadable PDF knitting pattern offering two classic garment designs: a slipover (a sleeveless vest) and a sweater (a long-sleeved jumper). Both garments are knitted in King Cole Cottonsoft DK yarn and are sized to fit a wide range of chest measurements, from 71/76 cm (28/30 in) up to 112/117 cm (44/46 in), making them suitable for a broad range of adults. The pattern is rated as intermediate difficulty, meaning it is well suited to knitters who are comfortable with basic shaping, rib borders, and textured stitch patterns but are ready to develop their skills further.

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About the Designs

The Slipover

The slipover is a sleeveless, close-fitting vest — a timeless wardrobe staple that works equally well as a layering piece over a shirt or blouse or worn on its own in warmer weather. Because King Cole Cottonsoft DK is a cotton-rich yarn, the slipover is naturally breathable and comfortable against the skin, making it ideal for spring and summer wear or for indoor layering year-round. The armholes and neckline are carefully shaped to give a neat, tailored finish.

The Sweater

The sweater is a classic long-sleeved jumper worked in the same yarn and stitch vocabulary as the slipover. The pattern includes detailed instructions for the front, which features textured stitch patterning, armhole shaping, and neck shaping. The construction follows a traditional set-in or shaped-armhole approach, with the armhole depth varying by size — ranging from approximately 8 cm to 16 cm depending on the size being knitted. The neck is shaped after the armholes reach the required depth, giving the sweater a clean, professional finish at the neckline.

Stitches and Techniques Used

Core Stitches

• Stocking Stitch (St-St): The foundation fabric of both garments. Worked by knitting every right-side row and purling every wrong-side row, stocking stitch creates a smooth, classic knitted fabric that drapes well and shows off the softness of the Cottonsoft DK yarn.
• 1×1 Rib: Used for borders and welts, 1×1 rib alternates knit and purl stitches across the row (K1, P1 repeat) to create a stretchy, elastic edging. This is the standard choice for cuffs, hems, and neckbands in classic knitwear and helps the garment hold its shape at the edges.
• Textured Knit/Purl Pattern: The sweater front incorporates a more decorative arrangement of knit and purl stitches worked in a repeating sequence. The pattern text references rows with sequences such as P3, K13 and K3, P13 repeats, creating a subtle textured panel or all-over texture across the fabric. This adds visual interest without requiring complex techniques such as cables or lace.

Shaping Techniques

• Increasing (inc): Used to shape sleeves and body panels where additional stitches are needed.
• Decreasing (dec): Applied during armhole shaping, neck shaping, and any tapering sections of the garments.
• Pass Slipped Stitch Over (psso): A decrease technique where a slipped stitch is passed over the working stitch, commonly used to create a neat, left-leaning decrease — often paired with k2tog for symmetrical shaping at armholes and necklines.
• Slip One Stitch Knitways (sl1): Used in conjunction with psso to execute clean, directional decreases.
• Armhole Shaping: Both garments include armhole shaping, with the pattern specifying that 4 knit/purl stitches are maintained at each end of the armhole while shaping continues — a technique that keeps the fabric tidy at the edges and makes seaming easier.