Waiscoat & Jacket Knitted in King Cole Aran - 5656 - Downloadable PDF

King Cole Aran Waistcoat & Jacket Knitting Pattern 5656 – Full Pattern Summary

Pattern 5656 from King Cole is a downloadable PDF knitting pattern offering two classic, structured garments: a waistcoat and a jacket, both knitted in King Cole Aran weight yarn. Designed for intermediate knitters, this pattern covers a generous size range of 86–112 cm (34–44 in) chest, making it suitable for a wide variety of adult figures. A purchase of this pattern contributes a donation to the Pink Ribbon Foundation.

Garments Included

The Waistcoat

The waistcoat is a sleeveless, tailored garment featuring a sophisticated cable panel as its central design detail. The cable panel is worked over 16 stitches and creates a striking textural column running vertically through the body of the garment. The remainder of the fabric is worked in stocking stitch and garter stitch, providing a smooth, classic backdrop that allows the cable to stand out prominently. The garment is shaped with armhole shaping, with stitches cast off at the beginning of rows to create a neat, fitted armhole. The pattern instructs knitters to work to approximately 90 cm (35½ in) from the beginning before commencing armhole shaping, with a note to adjust length at this point if required, offering useful flexibility for individual fit.

The Jacket

The jacket version of this design builds upon the same cable panel detailing and stitch structure as the waistcoat but includes sleeves and additional garment shaping appropriate for a fully constructed jacket. Like the waistcoat, it features the cable panel worked over 16 stitches as a focal point, combined with stocking stitch and garter stitch sections across the body pieces. The jacket offers a polished, wearable result suited to both casual and smart occasions.

Techniques Used

This pattern employs a range of classic and intermediate knitting techniques that give both garments their structured, textural character:

• Cable knitting – The signature Cable Panel is worked over 16 stitches and uses a cable needle throughout. The panel involves a repeating sequence of twist and cable stitches that create a raised, rope-like or interlocking visual effect.
• Twist stitches – T3B (Twist 3 Back) and T3F (Twist 3 Front) are used within the cable panel. T3B involves slipping one stitch to a cable needle held at the back, knitting two stitches, then purling the held stitch. T3F reverses this, slipping two stitches to a cable needle held at the front, purling one stitch, then knitting the two held stitches. These twists create the characteristic diagonal movement within the panel.
• C4F (Cable 4 Front) – A four-stitch front cable cross, worked by slipping two stitches to a cable needle held at the front, knitting two stitches from the left needle, then knitting the two stitches from the cable needle. This produces the classic rope cable effect.
• Armhole shaping – Worked by casting off a set number of stitches at the beginning of rows, varying by size, to create a clean, fitted armhole opening.
• Tension/gauge management – The pattern places strong emphasis on checking tension before beginning, with clear guidance on adjusting needle size if the knitter achieves fewer or more stitches and rows than the stated tension.
• Increasing and decreasing – Standard shaping techniques used throughout for garment construction.

Stitches Used

• Stocking stitch (st-st) – Knit on the right side, purl on the wrong side; forms the main body fabric of both garments.
• Garter stitch (gst) – Every row knitted; used for borders and edging details, adding a neat, firm finish.
• Cable Panel – A 16-stitch repeating panel combining T3B, T3F, and C4F stitches to create the decorative centrepiece of both