Sweater and Cardigan Knitted in King Cole Drifter Chunky - 5673 - Downloadable PDF

King Cole Drifter Chunky Sweater and Cardigan – Pattern 5673: Detailed Summary

This downloadable PDF knitting pattern from King Cole (pattern number 5673) provides instructions for two separate garments: a pullover sweater and a cardigan, both knitted in King Cole Drifter Chunky yarn. The pattern is rated as intermediate in difficulty and is suitable for knitters who are comfortable working with stitch patterns, shaping techniques, and constructing garments with multiple pieces. Both designs are worked in the same yarn and share a similar construction approach, making this a versatile pattern pack for anyone looking to build their chunky knitwear wardrobe.

Garments Covered

The Sweater (Pullover)

The sweater is a classic pullover design worked in pieces and seamed together. It features a shaped neckline with a dedicated neckband that is picked up and knitted after the shoulder seams are joined. The construction follows a traditional approach: back, front, and sleeves are worked separately before being assembled. The front mirrors the back up to a certain point, at which stage neck shaping is introduced, with stitches divided and worked individually to create the characteristic V or round neck opening.

The neckband is worked by picking up stitches evenly around the neck opening — down the left side of the front neck, across held front neck stitches, up the right side of the front neck, and across the back neck — creating a neat, professional finish. This pick-up-and-knit technique is a hallmark of well-constructed knitwear and gives the neckband a smooth, integrated appearance.

The Cardigan

The cardigan is the second garment included in this pattern. Like the sweater, it is knitted at an intermediate level and uses the same King Cole Drifter Chunky yarn. As an open-fronted garment, the cardigan will feature front bands and button or buttonhole placements, typical of classic cardigan construction. Both garments share the same sizing range and tension requirements, making it straightforward to switch between the two designs once you are familiar with the yarn and needle combination.

Sizing

Both the sweater and cardigan are available in a generous range of sizes, covering chest measurements from 81 cm to 107 cm (32 in to 42 in), accommodating a broad spectrum of adult sizes. The pattern instructs knitters to circle the size they wish to make before beginning, and stitch counts and row counts throughout are presented in a bracketed sequence corresponding to each size.

Yarn and Materials

Both garments are designed to be knitted in King Cole Drifter Chunky, a chunky weight yarn. The Drifter range from King Cole is known for its softly variegated, self-striping colour effects, which add visual interest to simple stitch patterns without requiring any colour-changing techniques from the knitter. This makes it an excellent choice for textured or straightforward stitch patterns where the yarn itself provides decorative appeal.

• Yarn: King Cole Drifter Chunky
• Weight: Chunky
• Primary needles: 6.5mm (for the main body and pattern sections)
• Secondary needles: 6mm (used for the neckband pick-up and finishing details)

Tension

The stated tension for both garments is 18 stitches and 20 rows to 10 cm (4 inches) measured over the stitch pattern on 6.5mm needles. Achieving the correct tension is essential before beginning either garment, and the pattern strongly advises knitters to work a tension square first. If your swatch produces fewer stitches or rows than stated, switch to finer needles; if it produces more, switch to larger needles. Because the pattern uses a multi-row repeat stitch pattern, there is an important note that stitch counts should not be checked after the 2nd row of the pattern — counts are accurate only on the 1st, 3rd, and 4th rows of the pattern repeat.

Stitches and Techniques Used

The pattern draws on a range of standard knitting stitches and techniques, appropriate for an intermediate-level knitter: