Sweater & Top in King Cole Opium - 4829 - Downloadable PDF

Sweater & Top in King Cole Opium – Pattern 4829

Pattern 4829 from King Cole presents two distinct knitted garments — a sweater and a top — both worked in the brand's signature Opium yarn. Designed for intermediate knitters, this downloadable PDF covers an impressive size range of 81–127 cm (32–50 in) chest, making it accessible for a wide variety of body types. The pattern includes larger sizes, ensuring that knitters of all shapes can enjoy these stylish, textured designs. A purchase of this pattern also contributes a donation to the Pink Ribbon Foundation, a charitable cause supported by King Cole across their pattern range.

About King Cole Opium Yarn

King Cole Opium is a chunky weight yarn celebrated for its distinctive thick and thin construction, which creates natural texture and visual interest throughout the fabric. The pattern specifically notes that, due to this characteristic, knitters should cast on and cast off any stitches formed from the thin part of the yarn loosely to maintain an even, professional finish. This unique yarn quality means the finished garments have an organic, artisan aesthetic that is difficult to replicate with standard uniform-weight yarns.

Needles Required

• 5 mm needles — used for the main body fabric of both garments
• 4 mm needles — used for ribbed sections such as the back cast-on and rib borders

Tension

Achieving the correct tension is essential for both garments to fit as intended. The specified tension is 18 stitches and 24 rows to 10 cm (4 in) measured over stocking stitch using 5 mm needles. The pattern advises that if fewer stitches are obtained, knitters should switch to thinner needles, and if more stitches are obtained, thicker needles should be used. Checking tension before beginning is strongly recommended, particularly given the variable nature of the Opium yarn.

The Top

The top is one of the two designs included in this pattern. Construction begins at the back, where stitches are cast on using 4 mm needles and the thumb method. The cast-on stitch counts vary by size, with the back beginning at 85[95:103:113:121] stitches.

Stitches and Techniques – Top

• Stocking stitch (st-st) — forms the main body fabric, worked on 5 mm needles
• Rib stitch — a k1, p1 rib is used for borders and the front opening edge, beginning with 4 mm needles
• Front opening edge rib panel — a 7-stitch rib border runs along the front opening, with an edge stitch worked as a knit stitch on every right-side row, creating a neat, stable selvedge
• Front slope shaping — decreases are worked at the front slope edge on the 2nd and following alternate rows, then on following 4th rows, 6th rows, and 8th rows, producing a gradual, elegant neckline shaping
• Slip stitch decrease (sl 1, k1, psso) — used for shaping, particularly at the front slope
• k2tog — a standard right-leaning decrease also used in shaping sequences
• Shoulder shaping — stitches are cast off at the beginning of designated rows in stages to create a shaped shoulder seam

The front slope shaping is carefully graduated, working decreases at varying row intervals to create a smooth diagonal line toward the neckline. The combination of the 7-stitch rib front border with the stocking stitch body gives the top a structured yet relaxed finish, well-suited to the organic texture of King Cole Opium.

Size Range – Top

• Chest sizes: 81, 86, 94, 104, 112 cm (approximately 32–50 in)
• Stitch counts after shaping adjustments vary per size throughout the pattern instructions