Sweater and Cardigan Knitted in King Cole Explorer Super Chunky - 5674 - Downloadable PDF

Pattern Summary: Sweater and Cardigan Knitted in King Cole Explorer Super Chunky – Leaflet 5674

This downloadable PDF pattern from King Cole presents instructions for two classic knitwear designs: a pullover sweater and a cardigan, both knitted in King Cole Explorer Super Chunky yarn. The pattern is rated as intermediate in difficulty and is suitable for knitters who are comfortable working with basic stitch patterns, shaping techniques, and seaming. The chunky weight of the yarn means both garments knit up quickly, making this an appealing project for those who enjoy seeing fast progress on the needles.

Sizes and Fit

The pattern covers a generous range of sizes, designed to fit chest measurements from 81 cm to 107 cm (32 in to 42 in), offering six size options within that range. Knitters are encouraged to circle their chosen size on the leaflet before beginning, as the pattern presents multiple sets of figures throughout, separated by square brackets.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

Both garments are worked in King Cole Explorer Super Chunky, a super chunky weight yarn. This yarn weight is ideal for warm, cosy outerwear and accessories, producing a substantial fabric with excellent stitch definition even at a large gauge. The pattern calls for two needle sizes:

• 9mm needles – used for the ribbed welts, cuffs, collar, and border sections
• 10mm needles – used for the main body fabric throughout both garments

Knitters are strongly advised to work a tension square before casting on. The correct tension is 8 stitches and 16 rows to 10 cm (4 in) measured over the stitch pattern on 10mm needles. If fewer stitches or rows are achieved, finer needles should be used; if more stitches or rows are achieved, larger needles are recommended. Achieving accurate tension is especially important at super chunky weight, where even a small discrepancy per stitch can result in a significantly different finished size.

The Sweater

Construction and Structure

The pullover sweater is worked in separate pieces – back, front, and sleeves – which are then seamed together. This is a traditional cut-and-sew style of construction rather than a seamless or top-down approach, making it well suited to knitters who are familiar with basic garment assembly.

Stitches and Techniques Used

The sweater features a two-row rib pattern worked on the welts and cuffs, alternating knit and purl stitches in a K1, P1 sequence. The main body fabric is worked in a textured stitch pattern that runs throughout the back, front, and sleeves. Key techniques used across the sweater include:

• K1, P1 rib – for welts, cuffs, and the collar
• Stitch pattern repeats – forming the main fabric of the body and sleeves
• Neck shaping – the front neck is shaped by dividing stitches and working each side separately, with stitches placed on hold at the centre front
• Shoulder shaping – achieved through casting off stitches in stages to create a neat, structured shoulder line
• Seaming – shoulder seams are sewn up before the collar is picked up and worked
• Picking up stitches – stitches are picked up evenly around the neckline to work the collar in the round or flat, using 9mm needles
• Decreasing – using P2tog (purl two together) and psso (pass slipped stitch over) for shaping
• Increasing – used during sleeve shaping to widen the sleeve from cuff to underarm

Collar Detail

The sweater features a collar worked by picking up stitches around the completed neckline after the right shoulder seam is sewn. Stitches are picked up down the left front neck, across the centre front held stitches, up the right front neck, and around the back neck, with a slight increase worked at