Cardigan & Top in King Cole Cottonsmooth DK - 5744pdf - Downloadable PDF

Cardigan and Top Knitted in King Cole Cottonsmooth DK – Pattern 5744

This downloadable PDF knitting pattern from King Cole presents two classic wardrobe essentials: a cardigan and a top, both knitted in King Cole Cottonsmooth DK yarn. Designed for intermediate knitters, the pattern covers a generous size range of 81–127 cm (32–50 in), making it accessible to a wide range of body shapes. Purchasing this pattern also contributes a donation to the Pink Ribbon Foundation, adding a charitable dimension to every project.

About the Designs

The Cardigan

The cardigan is a versatile, everyday layering piece worked in a clean, classic style suited to the smooth drape of a DK-weight cotton-blend yarn. As an intermediate-level project, it incorporates shaping techniques such as increasing and decreasing to create a tailored fit across the full size range. The structured construction makes it an ideal project for knitters looking to develop their garment-making skills beyond basic rectangles.

The Top

The top is a lighter, standalone garment designed to be worn on its own or layered beneath the cardigan. Like the cardigan, it is worked in King Cole Cottonsmooth DK and shares the same tension and needle specifications, making it straightforward to work both pieces from a single pattern purchase. The top's design takes advantage of the yarn's smooth, breathable qualities, making it particularly well suited to warmer seasons.

Techniques and Construction

Both garments are knitted flat using standard knitting techniques. The construction follows a traditional approach, working the main body and sleeve pieces separately before seaming. Key techniques used throughout the pattern include:

• Increasing and decreasing for garment shaping, armhole construction, and neckline shaping
• Slipping stitches knitways as part of decrease sequences, using the psso (pass slipped stitch over) method
• Working through the back of the loop (tbl) to create neat, twisted stitches where required
• Right side and wrong side row management to maintain correct stitch patterns throughout

Stitches Used

The pattern makes use of a small but effective selection of stitch patterns that are clearly defined within the abbreviations and special abbreviations sections:

• Stocking Stitch (St-St) – the primary fabric stitch, worked by knitting on right side rows and purling on wrong side rows, creating a smooth, flat surface ideal for showcasing the quality of King Cole Cottonsmooth DK
• 2x2 Rib – a classic ribbing pattern worked as knit 2, purl 2 repeated across the row, typically used for welts, cuffs, and neckbands to add elasticity and a neat, professional finish
• Knit (K) and Purl (P) stitches form the foundation of all stitch patterns used

Materials – Yarn, Needles, and Tension

Both garments are designed to be worked in King Cole Cottonsmooth DK, a double knitting weight yarn. This yarn's smooth, cotton-rich composition gives the finished fabric a clean stitch definition, a comfortable breathable handle, and a beautiful drape — all qualities that make it particularly well suited to tops and cardigans intended for spring and summer wear.

The recommended needle size is 4mm knitting needles, or the size required to achieve the correct tension. The stated tension is 22 stitches and 28 rows to 10 cm (4 in) over stocking stitch. As with all garment knitting, achieving the correct tension is essential to ensure the finished measurements match the intended size. The pattern advises switching to a finer needle if your swatch produces fewer stitches than stated, and a larger needle if it produces more stitches than stated.

Who Is This Pattern Suitable For?

Rated as intermediate difficulty, this pattern is best suited to knitters who are already comfortable with basic garment construction and familiar with reading standard knitting abbreviations. Experience with shaping techniques — including increases, decreases, and working rib borders — will be beneficial. The wide size range