Cardigans in King Cole Bamboo Cotton DK - 4343 - Downloadable PDF

Cardigans in King Cole Bamboo Cotton DK – Pattern 4343

Pattern 4343 from King Cole is a knitting pattern for cardigans knitted in Bamboo Cotton DK weight yarn. Designed for intermediate knitters, this downloadable PDF covers a range of adult sizes from 81 cm to 112 cm (32 to 44 inches) chest, making it a versatile choice for a wide range of figures. The pattern includes at least a Long Sleeved Cardigan design, worked in a classic combination of Stocking Stitch and Garter Stitch detailing.

About the Long Sleeved Cardigan

The Long Sleeved Cardigan is a timeless, wearable design featuring a structured body, set-in sleeves, and a neat front border. The construction follows a traditional approach, working each piece flat before seaming, making it an excellent project for knitters looking to build confidence with garment shaping techniques.

Construction and Shaping

The cardigan is worked in separate pieces — including left front, right front, back, and sleeves — which are then sewn together. The pattern uses a combination of neat border stitches and classic body fabric throughout:

• The front borders are worked in Garter Stitch (every row knit), creating a firm, non-curling edge that frames the opening neatly.
• The main body fabric is worked in Stocking Stitch (knit on right side rows, purl on wrong side rows), giving a smooth, classic finish.
• Shaping is achieved through decreasing (dec) and increasing (inc) stitches at specified points, including armhole shaping and sleeve top shaping.
• The Make One (M1) increase technique is used during sleeve shaping — stitches are picked up from the loop lying between the last worked stitch and the next stitch, then knitted through the back of the loop to avoid a hole.
• Sleeve top shaping involves casting off stitches at the beginning of rows and then working paired decreases on alternate rows to create the classic set-in sleeve curve.

Techniques Used

• Stocking Stitch (st-st): The primary fabric stitch, creating the smooth knitted surface seen on the body and sleeves.
• Garter Stitch (g-st): Used for the lower hems and the integrated front button band border, worked by knitting every row.
• Increasing (M1 – Make One): A neat, nearly invisible increase used to widen the sleeve as it progresses toward the underarm.
• Decreasing (dec): Used to shape armholes, sleeve tops, and other fitted areas of the garment.
• Casting off mid-row: Used at armhole and sleeve top to create clean, structured shaping lines.
• Yarn Forward (yfwd) and Yarn Round Needle (yrn): Referenced in the abbreviations, these techniques are used where required within the pattern, typically for buttonholes or decorative detailing.
• Slip stitch (s1) and pass slipped stitch over (psso): Decrease methods referenced in the abbreviations for shaping.

Stitches Used

• Knit (K)
• Purl (P)
• Stocking Stitch – knit RS rows, purl WS rows
• Garter Stitch – knit every row
• Make One (M1) increase
• Slip one knitways (s1), pass slipped stitch over (psso) decrease
• Yarn forward (yfwd) and yarn round needle (yrn)

Tension

The stated tension for this pattern is 22 stitches and 30 rows to 10 cm (4 inches) measured over Stocking Stitch using 4mm (US size 6) knitting needles. Achieving the correct tension is essential to ensure the finished cardigan