Cardigan & Sweater in King Cole Drifter Chunky - 5052 - Downloadable PDF

King Cole Drifter Chunky Pattern 5052 – Cardigan & Sweater with Raglan Sleeves

Pattern 5052 from King Cole is a downloadable PDF knitting pattern offering two classic garment designs in one package: a cardigan and a sweater, both featuring elegant raglan sleeves. Worked in the popular King Cole Drifter Chunky yarn, these projects are suited to intermediate knitters looking for a satisfying, wearable result with a contemporary finish. The raglan shaping gives both garments a relaxed, modern silhouette that flatters a wide range of body shapes.

Sizes and Fit

Both the cardigan and the sweater are sized to fit chest measurements ranging from 71/76 cm (28/30 in) up to 112/117 cm (44/46 in), making this pattern accessible across a broad range of adult sizes. The generous size range means the pattern can be knitted for a close or more relaxed fit depending on the chosen size.

Designs Included

• Raglan Sleeve Cardigan – An open-front cardigan featuring the characteristic raglan sleeve construction, which eliminates a traditional set-in armhole seam and instead creates a diagonal decrease line running from the underarm to the neckline. This technique produces a comfortable, flexible fit across the shoulders and upper body.
• Raglan Sleeve Sweater – A pullover version sharing the same raglan construction and overall aesthetic, offering a neat, coordinated companion piece to the cardigan. Both garments are knitted in the same yarn and tension, making it straightforward to knit both from the same pattern purchase.

Techniques Used

Both garments are constructed using well-established knitting techniques that are well within reach of an intermediate knitter. Key techniques include:

• Raglan sleeve shaping – Stitches are decreased along defined raglan lines to shape the armhole and sleeve cap simultaneously, joining body and sleeves in a seamless diagonal line. This is a classic construction method that requires careful attention to row counting and decrease placement.
• Increasing and decreasing – Both inc (increasing) and dec (decreasing) are used throughout to shape the sleeves and body panels, including techniques such as psso (pass slipped stitch over) and working stitches tbl (through back of loops).
• Slip stitch techniques – The pattern uses sl (slip one stitch knitways) as part of its decrease methods, contributing to neat, defined shaping lines.
• Working in pattern – Knitters are required to maintain stitch pattern continuity while simultaneously working shaping rows, a skill typical of intermediate-level projects.
• Seaming – Finished panels are joined, which involves standard knitting finishing techniques to assemble the garment pieces neatly.

Stitches Used

The pattern uses a focused selection of classic knitting stitches:

• Stocking Stitch (St-St) – The primary fabric stitch, created by knitting on right side rows and purling on wrong side rows. Stocking stitch produces a smooth, flat fabric face that showcases the tonal and variegated qualities of the King Cole Drifter Chunky yarn beautifully.
• 1x1 Rib – A simple alternating knit one, purl one ribbing stitch used typically for cuffs, hems, and neckbands. Ribbing creates a stretchy, elasticated edge that helps garments retain their shape and fit snugly at the openings.
• Knit (K) and Purl (P) – The fundamental building blocks of both the stocking stitch fabric and the ribbing sections throughout both garments.

Materials – Yarn and Needles

Both garments are designed to be knitted in King Cole Drifter Chunky yarn, a chunky-weight yarn known for its softly blended, multi-tonal colour effects that create subtle striping and tonal variation without the knitter needing to change colours manually. The yarn's chunky weight means both garments knit up relatively quickly, making them rewarding projects for those