Cabled Sweater and Cardigan in King Cole Comfort Chunky - 4972 - Downloadable PDF

Cabled Sweater and Cardigan in King Cole Comfort Chunky – Pattern 4972

This downloadable PDF knitting pattern from King Cole presents two classic children's designs: a cabled sweater and a cabled cardigan, both knitted in the cosy and substantial King Cole Comfort Chunky yarn. Sized to fit chest measurements of 51–71 cm (20–28 inches), these garments are ideal for younger knitters in the family, delivering warmth, texture, and timeless style in a satisfying chunky-weight project.

About the Designs

Cabled Sweater

The sweater is a pullover style featuring prominent cable panels as the central design feature. The cables add rich three-dimensional texture to what would otherwise be a straightforward stocking stitch fabric, making the finished garment visually striking while remaining a practical, wearable piece for children. The combination of cables against a smooth stocking stitch background is a hallmark of traditional British knitwear design, and the chunky weight means the project works up quickly without sacrificing detail.

Cabled Cardigan

The cardigan version shares the same cable-focused aesthetic as the sweater but is worked as an open-fronted garment, making it easier to put on and take off — a practical consideration for children's knitwear. Like the sweater, it uses cable panels to create that characteristic textured look, and the chunky yarn ensures a snug, cosy result suitable for cooler weather.

Techniques and Construction

Both garments are rated as advanced in difficulty, reflecting the cable work involved. Knitters working from this pattern should be comfortable with a range of techniques beyond basic knit and purl, including working with a cable needle and managing multiple pattern elements simultaneously. The construction follows a traditional approach, with separate pieces worked flat and then seamed together.

• Cable knitting: The signature technique in both designs. Cables are created by temporarily placing stitches onto a cable needle (CN) and holding them at the back of the work before knitting the remaining stitches, then knitting the held stitches. The pattern specifically references C4B (Cable 4 Back), which involves slipping 2 stitches to the cable needle held at the back, knitting the next 2 stitches, then knitting the 2 stitches from the cable needle — producing the characteristic twisted rope effect.
• Stocking stitch: Used as the main background fabric, stocking stitch is formed by knitting on right-side rows and purling on wrong-side rows, creating a smooth, flat surface that contrasts beautifully with the raised cable panels.
• 1x1 Rib: Used for welts, cuffs, and neckbands, this classic ribbing stitch alternates knit and purl stitches — K1, P1 — across each row, producing an elastic, neat edging that helps garments hold their shape.
• Increasing and decreasing: Standard shaping techniques are used throughout, including M1 (Make One — picking up the loop between the last and next stitch to create a new stitch) and various decrease methods to shape armholes, necklines, and sleeves.
• Yarn round needle (yrn): Referenced in the abbreviations, this technique creates a yarn-over stitch and may be used in specific shaping or decorative sections of the pattern.

Stitches Used

• Knit (K) and Purl (P) — the foundational stitches of all knitting
• Stocking stitch — smooth fabric for the main body panels
• 1x1 Rib — for borders, cuffs, and neckbands
• C4B (Cable 4 Back) — the primary cable stitch creating the textured rope panels
• M1 (Make One) — an increase stitch used in shaping

Materials

Both designs are knitted in King Cole Comfort Chunky yarn, a chunky weight yarn well suited to quick, satisfying knitting projects. The recommended tension is 14 stitches and 20 rows to 10 cm (4 inches) over stocking stitch,