Waterfall Cardigan & Top in King Cole DK - 4450 - Downloadable PDF

Waterfall Cardigan & Top Knitted in King Cole DK – Pattern 4450

Pattern 4450 from King Cole is a downloadable PDF knitting pattern featuring two designs for children: a Waterfall Cardigan and a Waterfall Top. Both garments are worked in King Cole DK (double knit) weight yarn and are sized to fit chest measurements of 56–74 cm (22–29 inches), making them ideal for younger children across a range of ages. The pattern is rated as beginner difficulty, making it an accessible project for those who are relatively new to knitting but want to produce a garment with a little decorative detail.

Garments Included

• Waterfall Cardigan – A knitted cardigan featuring a structured back, shaped sleeves with raglan shaping, and decorative cable detailing.
• Waterfall Top – A coordinating knitted top worked in the same yarn and tension, sharing the same design aesthetic as the cardigan.

Construction and Techniques

Both garments are knitted flat in separate pieces and then assembled. The Waterfall Cardigan includes a back section, sleeves, and front panels. Construction details visible in the pattern include:

• Raglan sleeve shaping – Sleeves are shaped at the raglan edge using paired decreases worked on alternating rows and then every fourth row, giving a neat, fitted armhole line typical of classic children's knitwear.
• Garter stitch borders – The lower edges begin with 4 rows of garter stitch (every row knit) before transitioning into the main pattern, providing a neat, non-curling hem.
• Cable panel detailing – The main body pattern incorporates cable stitches, adding texture and visual interest even within a beginner-friendly framework.
• Sleeve increases – Sleeves are worked with regular increases to shape the sleeve from cuff to underarm, with stitches placed on a thread at the top for joining during finishing.

Stitches Used

• Garter stitch (gst) – Every row knit; used for borders and hems.
• Knit (K) – The foundation stitch used throughout the pattern body.
• C6F (Cable 6 Front) – Slip next 3 stitches onto a cable needle and hold at the front of the work, knit the next 3 stitches from the left-hand needle, then knit the 3 stitches from the cable needle. This creates a left-leaning cable twist.
• C6B (Cable 6 Back) – Slip next 3 stitches onto a cable needle and hold at the back of the work, knit the next 3 stitches from the left-hand needle, then knit the 3 stitches from the cable needle. This creates a right-leaning cable twist.
• Decreases – Including K2tog (knit two together) used for raglan and edge shaping.
• Increases (inc) – Used in sleeve shaping to build width from cuff to underarm.

The cable stitches C6F and C6B are classic six-stitch cables that are a staple of traditional knitting. They require a cable needle to temporarily hold stitches while others are worked, producing the characteristic rope-like twisted columns that give the Waterfall designs their decorative character. Despite involving cables, the pattern is still considered beginner-friendly, making it a great introduction to cable knitting techniques.

Tension

The stated tension for this pattern is 17 stitches and 28 rows to 10 cm (4 inches) over pattern, achieved using one 4mm needle and one 6mm needle together. This unusual combination of needle sizes is a deliberate technique used to create a specific fabric drape and texture. Knitters are advised to work a tension square before beginning and to adjust needle size accordingly to ensure the finished garment matches the intended measurements.

Materials