Cardigans in King Cole Cottonsoft Candy DK - 5120pdf - Downloadable PDF

Cardigans in King Cole Cottonsoft Candy DK – Pattern 5120 Summary

This downloadable PDF pattern from King Cole presents a collection of cardigans knitted in King Cole Cottonsoft Candy DK yarn. The designs feature a classic raglan sleeve construction, making them a popular and flattering choice for knitters who enjoy a neat, seamless-style shoulder shaping. The pattern is sized to fit bust measurements of 81–107 cm (32–42 in), covering a generous range of sizes suitable for a variety of figures.

King Cole donates to the Pink Ribbon Foundation for every pattern purchased, adding a charitable dimension to your knitting project.

Design Details

Raglan Sleeve Cardigan

The central design in this pattern is a raglan sleeve cardigan, a timeless style in which the sleeve extends in one diagonal line from the cuff all the way to the neckline, eliminating a traditional set-in shoulder seam. This construction is particularly well-suited to DK weight yarn and produces a comfortable, relaxed fit that works well in cotton-blend fibres. The raglan shaping is achieved through carefully placed increases and decreases worked symmetrically on both the body and sleeve pieces.

The pattern is rated as intermediate in difficulty, making it ideal for knitters who are comfortable with basic techniques and ready to develop their skills in garment shaping and construction.

Techniques Used

• Raglan sleeve shaping – a defining structural technique where sleeves and body are shaped simultaneously using paired increases and decreases along raglan lines
• Increasing and decreasing – used throughout to shape the raglan seams, neckline, and any fitted elements of the cardigan
• Working in rows – the garment is knitted flat in separate pieces (back, fronts, and sleeves) and then seamed together
• Tension/gauge checking – the pattern emphasises the importance of achieving the correct tension before beginning, adjusting needle size as needed
• Following written row-by-row instructions – a core skill for intermediate knitters working through a structured garment pattern

Stitches Used

• Stocking stitch – the primary fabric stitch, worked by alternating knit rows on the right side and purl rows on the wrong side, producing a smooth, classic finish ideal for showcasing the colour variation in Cottonsoft Candy DK
• Knit (k) and purl (p) stitches – the fundamental building blocks used throughout the pattern
• Yarn round needle (yrn) – referenced in the abbreviations, suggesting decorative or functional yarn-over techniques may appear in the pattern detail
• Ribbing or border stitches are typical for cardigan edgings and button bands, consistent with standard garment finishing in this style

Tension

The stated tension is 22 stitches and 28 rows to 10 cm (4 in) over stocking stitch using 4 mm needles, or the needle size required to achieve this gauge. The pattern strongly advises checking tension before beginning, as achieving the correct stitch and row count is essential to ensure the cardigan knits up to the intended measurements across all sizes.

Materials

Yarn

The pattern is designed specifically for King Cole Cottonsoft Candy DK, a double knit weight yarn. Cottonsoft Candy is a cotton-blend yarn known for its soft handle, gentle drape, and subtle candy-toned colour palette, making it particularly appealing for warm-weather garments and accessories. Its cotton content gives the finished cardigan a breathable, comfortable quality well-suited to layering.

Needles

• 4 mm knitting needles – the recommended size for achieving the stated tension over stocking stitch
• Adjustments to needle size may be necessary depending on individual knitting tension

Who Is This Pattern For?

This pattern is well-suited to intermediate knitters who are familiar with basic knitting stitches and are looking to progress into garment making. The raglan construction is a logical next step for knitters